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Family Camp with Chelsea, Lilyanna, and Lori
There are only a handful of camps in Canada that are accessible, and even fewer that are made for the whole family.
Chelsea and Lilyanna are sometimes mistaken for twins, though their personalities are complete opposites. Chelsea, the eldest sister, uses few words to communicate, usually nodding and gesturing to herself. She will sometimes nudge you to follow her routine, urging you for “tea now,” or “bedtime!” Lilyanna loves to chime in, and she is eager to tell you that she approves. She will not hesitate to ask a question about something, or showcase her excellent memory. Chelsea loves Family Camp in the winter while Lilyanna prefers the summer.
Together with their mom, Lori, the Gamble family has been able to attend Karis Disability Services’ winter and summer family camps since 2013.
"Family Camp is the thing we look forward to the most in the year," said Lori. "It's just a wonderful week, the stress levels are gone, the fund times are high. You feel so supported."
At a Karis Family Camp, Chelsea, Lilyanna, and other campers with disabilities, are matched to a volunteer whose job is to make sure campers have the best week ever. Having that additional support takes some of the pressure off parents, siblings, and other caregivers, so the whole family can focus on having fun and finding moments of peace and togetherness. For so many families with members with disabilities, a Karis Family Camp is their only vacation option.
“We don’t have to come here and be hidden; we can be like this and be seen and that is so beautiful,” said Lori. “These are moments that we get to spend in heaven. God’s word says, ‘on earth as it is in heaven,’ and this is our heaven right here.”
You can attend or volunteer at an upcoming Karis Family Camp! Learn more by clicking the button below.
