When Charles and Paul first arrived at Variety Adventure Camp as children, they were looking for a place where they could simply be themselves. Today, they’re helping create that same experience for the next generation of Variety Kids. For the twin brothers, camp wasn’t always a given. Born prematurely and later diagnosed with autism, and …
From Campers to Counselors: Meet Charles and Paul Read More »
17-year-old Annie is always on the move. Her days begin early: checking the weather, reviewing her schedule, and making sure she knows exactly what’s ahead. She thrives on routine, tackling each morning with a plan and purpose. While she needs support with some daily tasks, Annie is constantly working toward greater independence, setting goals and …
For 12-year-old Aurea, last summer marked a milestone. Living as an autistic pre-teen, new environments and unfamiliar experiences can often bring uncertainty. This was Aurea’s very first summer attending Variety Adventure Camp. For her family, saying “yes” to camp wasn’t something they took lightly. “First of all, this was one of the first camps that …
We’re thrilled to share some amazing news — Variety’s Adventure Camp is now officially accredited by the American Camp Association® (ACA)! This national accreditation recognizes what our families, staff, and campers already know: Adventure Camp is a place where safety, inclusivity, and joy come together to create truly unforgettable experiences for kids and teens with …
When you see 10-year-old Faith on stage, in the spelling bee, or on the court, it is hard to believe she was ever shy. But this dynamic Variety Kid has come a long way, transforming into a confident, compassionate, and unstoppable force. Faith’s journey began with a life-altering moment when her mother, Melanie, learned at …
Adventure Camp leaves a lasting impact on Variety Kids, boosting their confidence, socialization skills, and even independence. For Variety Kid Jacob, Adventure Camp is a welcoming space where he feels included and accepted. His mom Jessica recently shared powerful feedback about the impact of Variety’s programs: “Jacob has always had a hard time socializing with …
From Camper to Counselor: Chase’s First Paycheck All Variety programs empower kids and teens with the skills, confidence, and independence needed to achieve their goals for the future. For many, that future involves transitioning into the workforce. During Disability Employment Awareness Month, Variety acknowledges the valuable contributions of workers with disabilities. Today, we celebrate Variety …
From Camper to Counselor: Chase’s First Paycheck Read More »
An Unforgettable Summer Adventure Camp is always a time for discovery, fun, and friendship, and this summer was no exception. For six weeks, campers play sports, create works of art, pet stingrays, ice skate, and so much more as they explore some of the St. Louis area’s best attractions. At Adventure Camp, kids with special …
A Place Where Wolfie Can be Himself When Rachel’s newborn son, Wolfie, began to show some slight delays in learning how to crawl and walk, she thought little of it. Her baby was born with torticollis, a condition in which a baby’s neck muscles become slightly twisted at birth. This common condition in newborn babies …
Accessible Places in St. Louis While no summer activity is as good as Adventure Camp, there are so many great places in our St. Louis community that you can go with your family that will give the same sense of adventure and excitement. Here are some of our favorite accessible summer activities that are located …
Camp Counselor Spotlight: Meet Danny Adventure Camp simply would not be the same without our wonderful counselors and staff! We interviewed a few different counselors to learn about their first-hand experience: Danny Naunheim is 19 years old and is returning this summer for his 5th year working at Variety’s Adventure Camp. Danny worked a year …
A 4th of July Activity Summer is the season of picnics, cookouts, and yard parties with friends and family. In fact, in just a few days it will be the 4th of July! Adventure Camp Kids like Frankie got in a patriotic spirit by making this fun and easy snack. Variety Kids had a lot …
The Best Week of Emmy’s Life Natalie breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her six-year-old daughter Emmy dancing with another young camper on the first day of Variety’s Adventure Camp this month. “This is going to be a good day,” she thought. “You’re good, Emmy. You have found your people!” One would never …
Mireya’s Journey to Independence Variety camps are a great way for kids and teens to gain independence, have new experiences, and develop lifelong friendships. No one knows this better than Mireya, a long time Variety camper. Mireya has participated in Adventure Camp for almost eight years, starting when she was just five years old. Summer …
Variety’s Adventure Camp program is now hiring for Summer Camp 2022. Several paid and volunteer positions are available!
For a while, many things felt nearly impossible to Variety Kid Andrew. He suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident when he was just four years old, leaving him unable to walk. But that didn’t keep him from doing one of the things he loved most – swimming. Over the years, Andrew has continued …
Like many students, Variety Kid Isabel struggled during virtual school this past year. It was hard for her to stay focused and engaged, which made learning difficult. Because of this, her mom, Janie, was a little concerned about how Isabel would handle Variety’s Virtual Adventure Camp. As it turns out, she didn’t have to worry …
When the Olympics and Paralympics air, you can find children around the world glued to their screens, dreaming of the day they might take the podium for their country. Variety Kid Chase is living out those dreams. Last month, Chase competed in swimming at the Move United Junior Nationals, which serves as a pipeline towards …
For six weeks this summer, Variety Kids and Teens gathered online for an exciting and engaging Virtual Adventure and Teen Camp 2021. Through this virtual adventure, campers made crafts, played games, cooked snacks, sang songs, went on virtual field trips, and so much more, all while building friendships that are sure to last even after …
Variety Kids Ashlyn and Ava used to have a hard time making friends because of their communication challenges. Then, at Variety’s Adventure Camp, they each found a new best friend in the other. The two girls have become inseparable since their first week of Camp. They play often, celebrate each other’s birthdays and even attend …
You’ve Got a Friend in Me – Ava and Ashlyn’s Story Read More »
