Vacation Awaits Young, Blind Campers

AVALON – This resort’s “best-kept secret” just might be the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, the summer home to 160 campers this season who come for a week at the shore, “just like everyone else.”
First opened in 1972, the three-story home just blocks from the beach, can house up to 20 campers in dormitory-like rooms, 11 counselors and the director on site.
For many campers, it’s their first experience feeling the sand in their toes, tasting salt water on their lips, or being away from home. For the counselors, it’s a chance “to make a difference.”
“We’ve got a waiting list,” acting director Anna Ackley said about this year’s campers. “The last three years we’ve had full enrollment. I’ve seen some of the campers grow up over the five years I’ve been here; it’s just amazing to see them, and I know we’re doing the right thing. It’s very rewarding, and we have amazing support from the community.
Best-Kept Secret
“We say that it’s Avalon’s best-kept secret,” she added.
Ackley, who has a visually-impaired sister, was a college student at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, when she learned about the Diller Camp, applied for a job and became a counselor five years ago.
She served as the director’s assistant for three summers and this year became acting director while the director is on maternity leave. In her off-season, she is a teacher for the visually impaired in the Wilson (PA) School District.
“These campers are just like everyone else, except they can’t see and here they are with other blind or visually impaired campers, rather than being just the only one,” Ackley pointed out.
“For some, this is the first time away from home so we try to help them become as independent as they can be, from putting their own toothpaste on a brush, to swimming in the ocean, to enjoying the water park. We treat them just like any other kid.”
Home’s Origin
The home came about when, in 1970, a few Stone Harbor Lions Club members had an idea of a summer camp for the blind and visually impaired, according to Chuck Covington, vice president of the board of directors of the Challenged Children’s Charity Corp., the organization which runs the camp.
The Lions Club is an international organization whose mission is to aid the blind and visually impaired, among other service projects.
“The Lions Club endorsed the idea and put the plans together,” he recalled. The property the home currently sits on was once a “boarding house,” and Covington said the Lions took two years to renovate the property to accommodate a camping/dorm-like environment.
“Mrs. Diller helped with the original purchase of the property,” he said. “She adopted our idea and helped us finance it.”
The first summer camp opened in 1972, Covington continued.
In 2002, Avalon-based Lions broke away from the Stone Harbor group to start their own club and formed the charity to run the home.
Today, the Avalon Lions continue to be “big” supporters of the home, including each spring when they hold a Community Clean-up Day to get the home ready for the camping season, Covington said.
Donors Are Key
The home also depends on donations to operate, from foundation grants, general donations, and other community organizations. According to Anne Coskey, fundraiser for the home, key benefactors include Tim Kerr Charities, Inc., the Avalon Lions Club, and The William G. and Helen C. Hoffman Foundation.
“Our major fundraiser is the Barefoot Ball in September where last year we raised $250,000,” Coskey said. “The Turkey Trot, which is the Friday after Thanksgiving, raised $30,000.”
The fundraisers also help sponsor the campers, who attend free. The organization estimates it costs approximately $1,500 to sponsor one camper for one week’s vacation at the home.
“Our campers enjoy many recreational activities to places like Morey’s Piers, boat rides at the Stone Harbor and Avalon yacht clubs, the Cape May County Park and Zoo, cultural events at Veterans Plaza and the Bay-Atlantic Symphony,” Coskey continued. 
Special T-Shirts
Because the home is located within a residential area and the campers wear specific-colored T-shirts with the home’s name on them (this year it’s purple), campers are visible around town. Outdoor activities on their lawn such as the talent show and yard games bring neighbors to watch and often ask questions about the home.
“One neighbor heard our campers singing during a talent show and came by the next day with a check,” Ackley said. “People see our campers around town, and see their donations at work.”
The campers range from 7-15 years of age and have come from Connecticut, Florida, Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and New York.
Campers usually stay a week, but sometimes can arrange for a second week. Alumni 16-20 years of age are invited back during Week 3 of the eight-week season, and sight-seeing siblings can join during Weeks 1 and 6. Nearly 90 percent are repeat campers.
Three repeat campers were sitting on the beach July 12, enjoying some down time with their counselors.
In Their Words
Henry Willie, 14, has been coming to the camp from his home in Wilmington, Del., for seven years. He remembers how the schedule of activities has changed over the years, but said, “It doesn’t really matter how it changes because I’m always going to come here.”
His favorite activity is going to Wildwood to enjoy the water park and rides.
Ian Donohue, who at 15 has been coming for nine years from his home in Pennsylvania, agreed with Willie about the favorite event being Morey’s Piers and the water park.
A third camper, Daniel Walsh, 11, from Somerset, said his favorite activities were the Sunday night yard games and the talent show. His talents are dancing and pro-wrestling.
“This was the best decision I ever made,” added first-year counselor Ethan Lang, 21, from Pennsylvania. “It feels like I am making a difference here. It’s just amazing.”
First-year camper Logan Holland, 11, said he is looking forward to bringing his sister to sibling week next summer. He’s had a “good” time this year, and enjoyed playing on the beach, the water park and hanging out with his new friends.
Busy Days
Like any summer camp, the camper’s day is full of activities from morning through bedtime.
Besides the sports, beach and cultural activities, they write thank-you notes to donors during one night’s activities, enjoy trips to an ice cream parlor and have craft activities.
Friendly competition between the sexes encourages the campers to keep their rooms clean and use polite manners, for example, to earn privileges such as showering first.
“Parents, usually first-time camper parents, always worry whether their child will go to sleep at night,” Ackley said. “We usually tell them there’s no time for them to be homesick because we wear them out with activities during the day, so they fall right asleep.
Rewarding Time
“You build connections with the campers,” Ackley remarked about working at the home.
“It’s very rewarding to see the community support we receive, to watch the campers grow, and to see the experiences of our counselors. My 6-year-old step-daughter comes with my husband on the weekends, and at first, she was shy. But now, she’s right in there with the campers. It’s pretty cool to see her interact with the campers, and they look forward to seeing her as well.”
“It’s really amazing to see how the community and businesses come together to help the Home,” added Covington. “This gives the campers a good feeling for a social life. In many cases, they may be the only blind or visually impaired person in their class. Here, they come to the camp with their peers, and have a great time with a truly dedicated staff.”
Those interested in learning more about the camp can find information or apply at http://www.dillerblindhome.org.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.