About Our Camps

“At camp people look for your differences, not at them.”

– Jackie Kenyon, H2L AULD

What is Hand Camp?

Hand Camp is the annual signature event for Hands to Love each year. For Family Hand Camp, we welcome families of children with upper limb differences from toddlers through eighth grade to join us every year. Teen Camp is run concurrently and is designed for high school students. Teens discover their unique ways of overcoming obstacles and develop strategies for becoming leaders and advocates in their communities. This weekend is the most well attended event Hands to Love hosts, where hundreds of family members and volunteers come together from all over the U.S.A.. Every spring, campers come together for an amazing themed weekend of adapted camp activities, networking and support groups, exciting inspirational speakers, parent programming and meaningful camaraderie for children with upper limb differences.

Hand Camp Activities

Campers of all ages are able to participate in an array of traditional camp activities such as arts and crafts, music, archery, waterfront activities and camp lore all provided with adaptations as needed. And then there are the not so traditional camp experiences such as a high ropes climbing experience and a STEM immersion experience where 3-D printing of adaptive devices and the science behind it are explored.

Special Inspirational Speakers

You never know who might show up as a Hand Camp special inspirational guest. Maybe a recording artist, a beauty queen, an Olympic athlete, a naturalist or a star gazer that helps us realize that we are part of a grander scheme! Through the years our annual event has been supported by many talented and amazing guests who understand our purpose and want to be a part of the Hands to Love cause.

Networking

Networking is at the heart of the Hand Camp weekend. Parents and children meet new friends, visit with old ones, and develop connections that sustain them all year long. One of our hand camp mom’s said, “Hand Camp: it is where families become family”.

Teen Camp

Teen Camp is Hands to Love’s exclusive event for teens with upper limb differences, and is specifically designed for campers in high school. Siblings and parents are invited to attend as well. Programming for our teens focuses on social adeptness, coping mechanisms, and strengthening adaptive skills.

Hand Camp Code of Conduct

  • will treat others with kindness and respect.

  • will cooperate with others and  keep a positive attitude.

  • will not act disrespectfully, mean or violent and will not use foul language.

  • will not show inappropriate public displays of affection.

  • will keep the curfew and all other camp rules.

  • will respect the privacy and property of others.

  • will participate and be on time to all facets of the camp program.

  • will not bring any alcoholic beverages or illegal substances to camp.

  • will not bring knives, guns, or weapons of any kind to camp.

  • will follow Hands to Love’s rules regarding medication.

Interested in joining us for our next Hand Camp?

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