Nyla Sanchez, with Iris Sanchez and Norma Rodriguez, is pretty in pink for her comic debut at the Kamp for Kids 50th kickoff on July 11.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
WESTFIELD — BHN Kamp for Kids, a summer day camp for children and young adults of all abilities, hosted a Kamp Welcome Day on July 11 at Camp Togowauk, 754 Russell Rd. in Westfield.
This year’s event hosted special significance as the program celebrates its 50th anniversary season.
State Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) and state Rep. Kelly Pease (R-Westfield) were in attendance, along with representatives of the state Department of Developmental Services, Behavioral Health Network, which operates Kamp for Kids, Jeffrey Gosselin, chair of the Westfield Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, and parents and friends of Kamp for Kids.
BHN Senior Vice President Tony Boswell welcomed everyone to the celebration, and introduced emcee Anne Benoit.
Benoit, the camp’s program director, talked about the 50 years of Kamp for Kids. “We were inclusive before the law required it,” Benoit said, adding they made it through budget cuts, COVID-19 and are still around due to a true collaboration by everyone.
She said a lot of the kids at Kamp for Kids are not successful in other camps, but thanks to all of the collaborations, they are at Kamp for Kids.
She thanked the parents who trust them to work with their kids and provide safe and fun programming. She also thanked BHN President Steve Winn for his support, which she called “pivotal to our success.”
Winn welcomed parents, Velis and Pease, saying to them, “We know we couldn’t keep you away.” He said Kamp kickoff is one of his favorite days of the year, and when Kamp for Kids started 50 years ago, it was for families with kids that needed more support than others and wanted a camp where they could send all their kids.
“I love coming here,” said Velis, mentioning all of the smiles. “It’s hard to leave this event and not have a big smile on your face.”
“It’s always a pleasure to be here,” said Pease, who also thanked community organizations, such as Westfield Bank, for their support.
State Department of Development Services Commissioner Sarah Peterson, who was introduced as having spent her entire career advocating for individuals with intellectual disabilities, said this was her first visit to Kamp for Kids.
“It’s a great way to end the week,” Peterson said.
She went on to say that Kamp for Kids was an example of true inclusion and community integration, and applauded the parents, including the Hoyts, who she said started the camp.
Fifty years ago, Kamp for Kids was founded by Westfield resident and mother Judy Hoyt to have a place where she could send her children of different abilities to the same camp together. Hoyt became a major advocate for inclusion, and her husband and son Dick and Rick Hoyt became famous for their participation in 32 Boston marathons together on foot and wheelchair.
Peterson also applauded the Urban Youth Collaborative Program which places high school interns into programs such as Kamp for Kids, which she said is a great way to draw young people, over 200 statewide, into the meaningful work of human services.
She recommended the campers take full advantage of the art, health, nature, sports and other opportunities at the camp, and also thanked community sponsors.
Camp Director Luis Burgos, who started at the Kamp for Kids just out of high school in 2010 before attending STCC and working his way up, introduced the campers for a student showcase that included singing, dancing, telling jokes, magic and competition (limbo and racing.)
One joke teller, Nyla Sanchez, dressed up in pink, asked, “What do you call a cheese that’s not yours?”
“Nacho cheese!” she answered with appropriate sass.
Located at Camp Togowauk, Kamp for Kids welcomes children and young adults ages 5–22 from across Western Massachusetts. The program provides a supportive and enriching environment where campers — both with and without disabilities — can grow, play and connect through activities including expressive arts, outdoor education, arts and crafts, a spray park and non-competitive sports.
Kamp for Kids operates every summer during July and August with about 150 Kampers over three sessions. This year, Kamp runs from July 7 through Aug. 15, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more information, visit bhninc.org/kamp-kids.
BHN has been providing behavioral health services to children and families in Western Massachusetts since 1938. The agency provides community-based services that include innovative, integrated whole-health models as well as traditional clinical and outpatient and therapeutic services, day treatment, addiction services, crisis intervention and residential supports.
