Six HD Videos: Camp Wamp—CCYC Camp Nejedly for Disabilities Youth!
Here, Camp Wamp Kids, with the close assistance of dedicated staff, take on a water challenge at Hawley Lake. Activities aim at bolstering confidence and meeting challenges. Campers learn new skills and better ways to face challenges!
Each year, the Stephen J. Wampler Foundation, Contra Costa Youth Council and the City of Sacramento’s Access Leisure program partner to provide ‘Camp Wamp’ for kids with disabilities. Based at Hawley Lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with the generous support and hard work of the Nejedly family, ‘Camp Wamp’ offers a wilderness summer camp experience for a unique group of children.
Four-wheel drive volunteers transport the kids into CCYC/Camp Nejedly near the Sierra Buttes. The camp setting, alongside Hawley Lake, is both scenic and optimal for providing a range of summer camp activities. From swimming, boating and fishing, to hiking, arts-and-crafts, woods lore and outdoor survival tips, the camp’s staff keeps kids engaged for an action-packed week. At the session’s close, a 4×4 caravan returns to pick up the Camp Wamp Kids, along with their special equipment and gear.
Dedicated volunteers and staff devote their energy and career experience to Camp Wamp. Kids delight in the personalized attention and access to unique, otherwise out of reach opportunities.
For 2012, the magazine enjoyed an exceptional experience, the opportunity to HD video the kids at their day’s activities. We filmed the staff at work within the camp plus the final night’s dance (above)!
The campfire on the last night is symbolic. Most kids camps in forested areas provide for a campfire, however, Camp Wamp goes a step further. Jenny Yarrow, Program Coordinator, facilitated a genuine roundhouse discussion and debrief about the week’s activities and the camper and staff impressions of the camp.(Videos can be viewed at full-screen and set for 1080P quality if you have the bandwith!)
The last morning at a Camp Wamp session is emotional for staff and kids. This is an incredible week for kids who “can do” what they are often told they cannot do. With the assistance of staff and Camp Wamp friends, these Camp Wamp Kids find the fortitude and confidence to safely try things they have never attempted. The result is inspiring and sends the Camp Wamp folks home with a strong desire to come back! (Videos can be viewed at full-screen and set for 1080P quality if you have the bandwith!) 
Our videocam kept rolling as the kids and staff packed for home. We accompanied the 4WD volunteers who transported kids out of the Sierra back country, back to the pavement and a charter bus. See the drive out in the HD video (below).
Meet the 4WD transportation team members who brought the Camp Wamp Kids safely back to the charter bus on August 4th! (Videos can be viewed at full-screen and set for 1080P quality if you have the bandwith!)
GoPro™ view through the windshield of a new Jeep JK Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited. Ahead is a caravan of 4x4s climbing out of Hawley Lake and Camp Nejedly with Camp Wamp Kids and gear on board. This shift, many of the four-wheelers are members of the Grass Valley 4-Wheelers.
We discovered Camp Wamp through four-wheel drive clubs based at northern Nevada and California. In 2010, 4WD Mechanix Magazine filmed the transportation volunteers as we negotiated the rugged off-pavement trails leading to Camp Nejedly and the Camp Wamp site.
Thanks much to Jenny Yarrow, the Wamplers, the Nejedly family, the gracious camp staff and 4WD transportation volunteers for sharing this rich experience with our viewers. Appreciation to Chrysler Group, LLC, for providing the latest Jeep 4WD JK Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited for our access to Camp Wamp.
Most importantly, we extend our hearty congratulations and thanks to the courageous, enthusiastic youth who spent a week camping at remote country in the Sierra Nevada range. Enjoy the HD video coverage and the 2012 Camp Wamp Kids!
