CAMP FOR ALL

Camp For All is a unique barrier free camp for children and adults who are chronically or

terminally ill or disabled. The goal of the project is to provide a healing and nurturing

experience, to allow the interaction with nature, to provide recreation and increase the self – esteem

and self-reliance of these special children. Camp For All (CFA) is a project of the Camp For All Foundation,

a non-profit organization formed solely to build a special camp for those normally excluded from

outdoor experiences due to medical conditions, disabilities or socio-economic reasons.

Camp F or All was designed with their specific needs and constraints foremost.

 

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT'S ROLE IN DEVELOPING/IMPLEMENTING THE

PROJECT

The CFA Planning Board spent two years in search of the right property to locate the camp before choosing a

200 acre wooded site in Washington County. The LA assisted the owner in evaluation of the proposed sites analyzing

the suitability of vegetation, topography, hydrology, and soil. After site selection, the LA directed the task of site planning.

The concept for development called for buildings to be clustered in an orthogonal manner as was common

in a Farm Homestead. The three common buildings would be located on the high ground

to provide views across the site and to the lake, and to be visible from the remote portions

to provide a visual and psychological anchor. Many of the campers had never been out of

the city before, some had never been out of a medical facility, and security was considered at every level.

The Cabins were located with views to the creek and lake, and arranged in clusters to provide individual gathering areas for each camp group, but within easy access of the main lodge. A circulation system was developed that would allow emergency vehicle access to all cabins without having the appearance of being roadways.

 

The LA performed all layout and grading plans for the project. The challenge was to

provide barrier free access above and beyond ADA requirements to all amenities without

changing the country feel of the land. The camp has all the facilities of a major medical

center, but the team felt strongly that it should not feel like a hospital.

 

SUCCESSFUL RESOLUTION OF THE PROJECT'S PROGRAM

The entire design team adopted a strong design philosophy concerning barriers, both

physical and psychological; actual and implied.

• No amenities or activities would be placed in the camp that could not be accessed by all campers.
• Campers should be allowed to keep their dignity. Access that required extreme

measures such as hoists or lifts would not be allowed.

• All cabins would be placed within 1,000 feet of the medical center in the main lodge.
• All trails and walks were designed at less than 1:20 so handrails would not be required and detract from the camp feeling.
• The swimming pool would be a focal feature and should have ramp entries and water play on the pool deck available to campers unable to enter the pool.
• The landscape should be restored to a natural, pastoral condition that would provide a scenic and relaxing environment for the campers, some of which may never have been in the country before.

The Master Plan provided for future expansion with the addition of cabins for staff, and

additional recreation facilities. The project has been successful beyond the most optimistic projections. All debt has been paid off and additional cabins are under construction.

 

 

IMPACT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDINGS.

The project is the first of its kind to serve the chronically and terminally ill children of

Houston, San Antonio, and Austin and so will have an impact on the disabled children and adults of a large part of Texas. The need for this facility is so great that more than 2,400 campers used the facility the first summer alone, and camping for the second summer and fall is booked.

The project has a different effect on the small community of Burton. The project has

provided construction and service jobs and the increased business in local cafes and shops. But more importantly it has touched the community with its purpose and inspired the residents to a higher level of giving and service. Many local residents have become

volunteers of time and money to help the Camp.

 

 

SPECIAL OR UNIQUE SOLUTIONS TO UNUSUAL PROBLEMS OR BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS.

The LA developed a site plan that successfully combined very limiting medical program

requirements and still provided natural experience for the children. The concrete trail

system meanders through the trees to provide access to all facilities and interaction with

nature and a variety of views along the way. Cabin Locations were sited in the field and

finish floor elevations were carefully studied to insure that nearby trees could be retained,

water drained properly around cabins, and gradients never exceeded 1 :20. Special

features were designed into the fishing pier and canoe dock to allow for use by wheelchair campers, and make loading and unloading of camper into campers more convenient.

Because all funding came from donations, many items were not affordable. All team

members participated in volunteer days. The LA firm organized volunteer days dedicated

to tree protection fencing, installation of trees and laying of sod. In addition all

Construction Administration services were provided pro bono to the client to help stretch

the budget to cover necessary equipment costs.