BY HEATHER CLEMENT
Clarkston News Writer
People from all over Oakland County will celebrate tomorrow (July 14), with SCAMPers the special needs camp’s 30th aniiversay.
‘We are going to have a birthday party. We would like to invite everyone to join us for Carnival Day,? said Donna Clancy, executive director of SCAMP.
Clancy said the party will start with ‘warm ups,? an exciting way SCAMPers start each day. The students hoot, holler and get excited about being at camp.
At noon, guests will join a luncheon followed by birthday cake.
Invitations have been sent to Governor Jennifer Granholm, Oprah Winfrey and her staff, Clarkston officials, and many locals who contributed to the success of SCAMP.
‘This whole community supports this program and it is a wonderful program,? said Clancy.
A press release said the camp was started in 1976 when people in the community saw a need for multiply impaired children who spent their summers watching other children having fun. Only 75 students participated in the first camp, which grew to more than 350 students this summer.
SCAMP daily activities include music, art, academic games, field trips and educational /entertainment groups.
Clancy said more than $400,000 is needed for operations and each year the community meets the needs for the camp through five ‘huge? fund-raisers. She added that SCAMP returns money back to the community by hiring local teens.
The 30th anniversary celebration will be at Independence Oaks County Park located at 6389 Clarkston Road. For more information call SCAMP at 248-620-1882.
Look for highlights of the SCAMP party in next week’s edition of The Clarkston News.
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