Victory Lane Camp recently hosted its third annual Pace Lap Camp at Cornerstone Campground in New Castle. More than 30 families were impacted by the week-long camp that included training, therapy, and relationship-building.

Victory Lane Camp is designed to empower and equip “Victory Families” who have children with disabilities and to surround them with supportive community.

“We also spend time training and equipping ‘Backyard Mission Trip’ families so that they learn ways to be helpful and encouraging to these Victory Families,” noted Camp Founder Brett Fischer.

Throughout the week, children in Backyard Mission Trip families experienced interactive stations to help them gain understanding of what it is like to live with disabilities. Victory Kids received regular therapy sessions, and Victory Parents received training about overcoming issues common to families with children who have disabilities.

Several special activities doubled as bonus therapy sessions, allowing Victory Kids to have a good time while reaching therapy milestones. Water activities, including a wheelchair friendly “car wash,” were a big hit with all of the campers. Silly Safaris provided a hands-on educational program for camp families.

“An old-fashioned country hoe-down became an opportunity for a therapist to dance with one of the campers, which meant he was walking for 20 minutes,” noted Fischer. “This is something that he likely wouldn’t have achieved in a traditional therapy setting.”

Community groups and churches provided meals for the campers during the week. Each night ended with a campfire featuring humorous skits, a music video featuring scenes from the day’s events, and singing led by Mike Brown.

The week’s activities culminated with the annual wheel race. This relay had kids of all abilities competing together in teams using wheelchairs and tricycles. This year’s race featured more than 35 participants and was emceed by Jerry Ingalls. Many Victory Lane Camp supporters came to watch the race and cheer on the competitors.

Camp activities served as a backdrop for relationship-building that happened throughout the week. Two kids who really bonded were Luke Miller and Bryce Youngquist (pictured top right). Luke is age 13 and has special needs. Bryce is 7 and saw how much fun his 11-year-old sister Jadyn had when she was with Luke.

“Bryce wanted to stow away in our luggage after camp. He is ready to become a Miller and has already laid claim to the empty bunk in Luke’s room,” noted Luke’s mom, Brenda.

“Luke is happy when I am around him and I am happy when I am around Luke,” said Bryce.

Watch for more stories from Pace Lap Camp in upcoming blogs. Want to receive our blogs via e-mail? Sign up on the home page. The blog sign-up is on the right side near the bottom.