Please be a part of KAMP Dovetail this month
By Nellda Friend
Guest columnist
A true miracle occurs yearly at Rocky Fork Lake just off North Shore Drive. One does not find a mission like KAMP Dovetail in other communities. It is a unique opportunity for children to experience a week of extremely incredible adventures despite their disabilities. This year's event is June 17-21.
SATH Executive Director Linda Allen from Lynchburg and her bevy of loyal supporters volunteer to pull off this event. In addition to the service to special needs kids, the volunteer teens who buddy up one-on-one with their camper develop compassion and leadership skills.
How Allen and her KAMP Dovetail board can make this miracle come to life yearly is phenomenal. Rain? No problem. Intense heat? No problem. Impending storm? No problem. The group has contingencies in place.
Yes. It is expensive. But Allen and her team plan and carry out major fundraisers throughout the year. One takes place right during KAMP Dovetail. An auction and carnival will take place Wednesday, June 19 at 7 p.m. All are invited, and items for the auction can be brought to KAMP Dovetail that week before 6 p.m. or call Allen at (937) 366-6657.
There is a lot of preparation the week prior to put KAMP Dovetail in place. Then, on Friday, June 21, there is much cleanup and tear-down work. Any church group, youth group, 4-H, etc. are welcome to help. It is a doggone worthy cause!
Why is "KAMP" spelled the way it is? It is an acronym for "Kids And Motivated People." Dovetail indicates the bonding of an able-bodied volunteer and a special needs camper.
Please consider becoming one of those motivated people and shuffle on over to KAMP Dovetail. We can all be a bit part in making this miracle in our midst continue.