ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Robertsdale Rotary Club has been recognized as the 2017 Organization of the Year at Camp ASCCA.
“This is something that everyone in our club had a hand in and should be proud of,” said Rotary Foundation Board President Doug Byrd.
According to a letter sent to the Rotary Club by Camp ASCCA Administrator John Stephenson, “The Organization of the Year Award honors a club or organization each year based on a record of continued service and generous contributions to Camp ASCCA.”
With the help of a grant, the Rotary Foundation was able to send 20 campers to Camp ASCCA over the summer.
“This is a great camp for those with mental and physical challenges and we are excited about the opportunity to give these campers and their families some freedom that they would not otherwise get,” Byrd said.

ASCCA (Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults) began hosting summer camps in 1976 through Easter Seals Alabama and has been a nationally recognized leader in therapeutic recreation, according to its website ascca.org.
“Since Camp ASCCA’s inception, its success has been made possible due to the support and effort of people like you,” Stephenson stated in the letter to the Rotary Club. “In your honor we will highlight the award in an upcoming newsletter and will place a brick in your honor in our ‘Pathway to the Future’ brick path. This will forever recognize your accomplishment.”
Located in Jackson’s Gap on Lake Martin off of Highway 280 between Dadeville and Alexander City, ASCAA provides camping experiences for children and adults with disabilities year-round. According to its website, Camp ASCCA offers 230 wooded cares and serves an average of 7,000 people annually.
The week-long Easter Seals Camp ASCCA summer camps offer eight opportunities throughout the summer, beginning in July. Camps are separated based on age, physical and mental ability.
The needs of campers with disabilities are cared for by trained staff, and there are many different camping opportunities for all individuals.
The activities offered at Camp ASCCA include horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, accessible waterslide, zip-line, water tubing, archery and rifle range, mini-golf course, paved nature trails, splash pad, and more.
“Our goal is to serve those who can derive maximum benefit from the resident camp experience and provide a healthier, happier, longer and more productive life for children and adults of all abilities,” according to the website.
Camp ASCCA seeks to serve all qualified individuals with disabilities who meet the essential eligibility requirements.
An eligible applicant must meet the following criteria:
* Be of appropriate age for session requested.
* Have a physical or intellectual (mental) disability.
* Have the ability to effectively communicate needs to a camp counselor.
* Have the ability to adapt to the group living routine of camp within 24 hours from time of check-in without disruption to the group living environment.
* Is not abusive toward him/herself or others.
* Does not pose a direct threat to himself/herself or others that cannot be eliminated or reduced below the level of a direct threat with or without reasonable accommodation.
* Does not have a medical condition or impairment that requires specialized medical treatment.
* Does not have a medical condition or impairment that has a substantial risk or likelihood for complication or injury.
* Is in acceptable health as indicated by: Not having a temperature greater than 100.4 orally; not having blood pressure greater than 160/90; not having a heart rate greater than 120 bpm.
* Has ability to eat or drink amounts adequate for nutritional support.
* Agrees to and takes personal prescription medication.
For more information on the camps, visit campascca.org.
The Robertsdale Rotary Club is part of Rotary International, whose motto is “Service Above Self” and is committed to the Four-way Test: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” The group meets at noon every Tuesday at Mama Lou’s Restaurant in Robertsdale.
Visit robertsdalerotary.org or like the Robertsdale Rotary Club page on Facebook for more information.