My son Jared has attended Freddy’s Friends camp for several years now. There are some really great people that are working and volunteering throughout the week to make it a very special time for him. He has been showing me his camp cabin photo for weeks now letting me know he is ready to go to camp again this summer!
Freddy's Friends Camp
Freddy's Friends Camp at Pine Ridge is an extra special camp opportunity for developmentally disabled campers that provides a safe, fun, and interactive experience. Pine Ridge is one of the few Christian Camps in Michigan who offers this type of camp experience to campers with developmental disabilities. Freddy's Friends is designed to embrace each camper’s physical, social, mental, and spiritual capabilities and allows them to participate at their own level.
Eligibility
Physical Ability:
Each camper must be ambulatory and able to move from place to place with little to no one-on-one assistance. Campers should also be able to adequately communicate daily living needs and desires (either verbally or non-verbally). Campers must need little to no assistance with eating/drinking, showering, dressing/grooming, and toilet needs or menstrual care.
Medical Needs:
Campers must have medical needs that can be met by staff trained in basic first aid. One-on-one care or supervision is limited and should not be planned on at all times. We are unable to accept campers with communicable diseases that are easily transmitted during regular camp activities. We also do not accept seizure active campers or campers who require frequent monitoring, care, or assistance by a trained health professional.
Social Ability:
Campers must be able to willingly integrate into and participate at their own level in our camp setting and camp activities in a non-disruptive manner, including a group environment for housing, eating, instruction, and recreation. Campers must not display harmful or aggressive behavior toward self or others.
All potential campers for the Freddy's Friends program must be interviewed by Pine Ridge to be accepted into the program. Once accepted, the interview is not necessary again unless the physical, behavioral, or mental status of the camper changes. The interview is typically at the Pine Ridge Office and will take approximately 30 minutes. Please email our Director of Ministries or call the Office to make arrangements.
2022 Freddy's Friends Schedule
| Session | Dates | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | June 7-10 |
$365 |
| Session 5 | July 5-9 | $430 |
Ready to Sign Up?
Click the link below to sign up for Freddy's Friends camp today!
Here are somehelpfulimportantusefulthings you should know about Freddy's Friends Camp.
Pine Ridge has helped children make unforgettable memories and life changing impacts since 1946! Through the years, we have a great track record of providing a safe and affordable summer camp for children and youth.
Summer camp has many benefits in all areas of life development. For instance, child experts agree that playing outside is very healthy and beneficial. Camp provides these types of real hands-on experiences and challenges. Our activities are not virtual, but they are live and real!
Summer camp also provides some great social development opportunities. Camp by design is structured for temporary communities to be developed. In other words, camp is a great place to meet new friends and grow other friendships deeper.
Camp will also be a place to try and learn new things. Besides our fun activities, campers might learn to build a fire, or study an ecosystem, or feed a goat. Eating healthy (yes, we still have food kids love) is also encouraged.
Finally, campers will be challenged to consider the truths from God's Word. Along with this comes character growth and life changing decisions. We have heard parents tell us over the years that after a week at camp, their child might obey better or get along with siblings better.
All in all, summer camp at Pine Ridge is awesome. Kids that attend will create some memories that last forever, make some new friends, and be spiritually nurtured.
