By Marian Pontz
“Embracing Possibilities Beyond Disabilities”
On a warm summer morning, Aaron's Acres camp attendees experienced pure joy and satisfaction when riding two very gentle therapy horses at the Greystone Manor Therapeutic Riding Center.
One of those lovely equine beauties, a horse named Violet, brought out big smiles and giggles of delight from Camp Attendee Arolyn, age 13, a middle schooler who said, “Riding the horses makes me happy and warm because I love them.” Arolyn shared that she talks to Violet and tells her she loves her — and the love seems to be mutual. Horses and campers spend this morning bringing joy to one another, creating memories, and instilling self-confidence that will last much longer than a single day.
Elaine Burnett, program director at Aaron's Acres, explained that “Aaron's Acres exist to ensure all children, no matter their ability level, can participate in all programs in all types of activities.” The organization hosts three 2-week summer day sessions, during which campers— can experience activities they otherwise might never have the chance to experience—from swimming, having a snake wrapped around their arm, petting a farm animal, music therapy, bowling, and—of course—equine therapy.
Eighteen years ago, Elaine shares, she volunteered as a camp counselor for Aaron’s Acres—and she never left. “I love it,” she said. “These kids and their families have a piece of my heart. I see the growth of the child from day 1 to day 10, but I also see the change in the staff, their growth, and a self-discovery that they have the skills and heart for their chosen field.”
Many camp counselors, all ages 18 years and older, are studying in the fields of education, social work, and occupational therapy. Pre-Covid, these paid camp counselor positions used to be coveted, with the appropriate number of staff hired to meet our 1:1 or 1:2 staff-to-counselor ratio. Now—like so many nonprofits and small businesses—even though the starting wages for camp counselors were raised, there are simply not enough counselors. Fewer counselors mean that the number of campers they can enroll has decreased.
Aaron's Acres also runs a year-round program one Friday per month; for two hours, 13 to 21-year-olds are invited to gather and experience corn mazes, dances, and other traditional teenage social events. On Saturday nights, for two-and-a-half hours once per month, 5 to 12-year-olds are invited to eat pizza, play games, and socialize.
Elaine’s goal for Aaron's Acres, and the kiddos they serve, is to find a space of their own. A place where kids can learn life skills like cooking, and staff can be in the building and not—as it currently stands—operating with their offices on one side of town, and all activities in another part of town. Elaine dreams of a building big enough for a swimming pool, where counselors and children can swim and splash together in the water, and as Elaine said, “When you look in the pool, you only see smiles and can not tell the difference between staff and campers.”
Aaron’s Acres is a longtime participant in the annual Gifts That Give Hope Fair. Risa Paskoff, the executive director, said that she appreciates the awareness the gift fair raises, encouraging people to learn about nonprofits and allowing her organization to connect and partner with other nonprofit organizations. “We build a stronger community working together,” Paskoff said. She shares that she loves how it puts the power of spending money for holiday gifts in the hands of kids who walk around the fair stands, ask questions, and then give meaningful gifts rather than another coffee mug, necktie, etc. Paskoff continued, “They learn to spend money in a meaningful way.”
For more information on Aaron's Acres, email elaineburnett@aaronsacres.org or visit aaronsacres.org.
