For the third consecutive year, Jett Foundation’s Camp Promise made a stop in Payson, Arizona to host a retreat weekend for 18+ individuals living with neuromuscular disorders. This year, we gathered from July 25-28 at Whispering Hope Ranch for a magical overnight experience with 25 campers and 33 volunteers.
We enjoyed theme days of Wild West, Olympics, Halloween-in-July, and Camp Spirit! Some favorite activities of the long weekend included a mega scavenger hunt, saloon casino night, mental & physical gymnastics, mountain biking, sport games, horseback riding, trick-or-treating, movie nights, and more.
Arizona’s retreat met for Campfire Cafe each day to discuss important topics related to life, accessibility, and more. Volunteers, guest speakers, and some campers presented on Driving to Independence, Accessible Employment and Disability Rights, and Accessible Housing. “[Campfire Cafe] discussions are important for our community not only because of the tips and content they cover, but because they are facilitated among campers’ peers, who are individuals they can relate to,” shares Alexa Tinsley, Jett Foundation’s Director of Programs.
“It is hard to put the magic of Camp Promise into words,” says Arizona’s retreat director Jodi Wolff. “We work hard to expose our young adults to new activities, adaptive recreation, and experiences. We had a magical four days in the pines of Payson, Arizona and brought together an incredible group of campers, volunteers, and medical staff. Everyone left with full hearts, new friendships, a profound sense of feeling understood, and renewed hopes for all that is possible in the coming year.”
“The retreat gave me the opportunity to try new activities I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise, helped me make new friends, gave me a fun activity to do this summer, and taught me about new resources.” – Arizona Camper
Jett Foundation would like to thank everyone who helped us put on another successful year of Camp Promise as a retreat in Arizona. All volunteers, medical staff, campers and their families are forever part of our Camp Promise family!
We are also very grateful for our generous sponsors who make this programming possible: Cure Dale’s Duchenne, the Flatley Foundation, Sarepta Therapeutics, Dyne Therapeutics, ITF Therapeutics, the Killian Family, the Nicholoff Family, Ultragenyx, and Yale Appliance.
Check out a photo album of our time at Camp Promise Retreat – Arizona on Facebook!
