Swimming, archery, arts and crafts, campfire stories, making new friends.
Anyone who has been to summer camp recognizes and remembers these things.
But if you’re a kid with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety that interferes with daily life or difficulty learning in conventional ways, chances are that “sleep-away” camp is not something you’ll ever experience.
Until this summer.
Enter Pasadena residents Samantha Gunther and Margo Anderson and Camp Willow, where the mission is to “use nature, outdoor activities and positive reinforcement” to help kids with ADHD, learning differences and social anxiety to “grow, build self-esteem and improve focus.”
“We find it important to celebrate the strengths (of these kids),” says Gunther, whose 13-year-old son with ADHD inspired her to found the camp. “We have programs to help with impulse control and … opportunities to make friends and build relationships.”
For those with learning differences and social anxiety, there will be activities to create opportunities for success, something that can be more difficult to accomplish in a traditional academic setting, says camp co-founder Anderson.
“Camp Willow offers a nurturing community where campers can build friendships at their own pace, practice social skills in structured and unstructured settings, and gain confidence in interacting with peers. This safe, judgment-free atmosphere allows them to feel accepted and included.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 11.4% of children ages 3 to 17 years in this country were diagnosed with ADHD in 2022 — about 7.1 million children. About 60% of these have moderate-to-severe symptoms, including learning disabilities.
And according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, about 15% of all public school students have a learning disability.
The women chose Camp Willow, which is near Julian, because “it offers an ideal setting and top-tier amenities specifically suited to support youth with ADHD, learning differences and social anxiety,” Anderson says.
The name is inspired by the strength and adaptability of the willow tree, and with a kid-to-counselor ratio of 4 to 1, children with anxiety can learn how to cope with feeling overwhelmed in social situations. The space and time to do this are usually not available in traditional camp settings, but there will be plenty of time for these learning opportunities and for the traditional camp experiences.
It will start with “digital detox,” Gunther says.
“No technology. No screens. But there will be the high and low ropes challenges, hiking, swimming, archery, and arts and crafts.”
In addition, there will be farm-to-table and low-sugar meals, “but they will be yummy. The campers will also bake their own bread and have their own farm where they can interact with animals. Each element of the camp experience is carefully crafted to help kids feel confident, connected and independent.”
The camp staff also includes licensed social workers and registered nurses, and on the last two nights, there will be a special session for campers’ parents. This will bring together parents who want to build a community with those who have similar parenting needs.
“We’ll have people to train parents on collaborative problem solving and in how to get the tools to rebuild and strengthen relationships with their kids,” Gunther says.
Camp Willow is accredited by the American Camp Association and will operate July 13 to July 19. It is designed for kids ages 8 to 17 years with moderate ADHD, learning differences and social anxiety. Visit campwillowusa.com.
