THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 28, 1996 TAG: 9607250194
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 47 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFFREY S. HAMPTON, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 72 lines
AT CAMP SPECIAL K, it's the little things that count.
Jennifer Grandy, who is trainable mentally handicapped, has attended Camp Special K every year for 11 years. Jennifer, along with 28 other children, painted small wooden plant boxes, petted puppies from the animal shelter, practiced the musical scales, and learned the harmful effects of smoking and alcohol. But the absolute best part of camp?
``Swimming!'' Jennifer exclaimed Wednesday about the weeklong day camp for handicapped children.
She jumped up and down at the excitement of going to Meads Pool, which donates pool time to the Camp Special K group for the first three afternoons. On Thursday, they went to Dare County to ride a double-decker tour bus and go on a nature tour. Friday was awards day.
``They look forward to it,'' said Jennifer's mother, Linda Lenau. ``This is the main social event of the year for them. And they learn along the way.''
Lenau said Jennifer nearly died at birth. She contracted a rare strain of flu virus while in the womb. The illness caused her to be mentally handicapped. Lenau, whose first husband died, was only 21 years old and it was her first child. She was devasted. But over the years of working with her daughter in programs such as Camp Special K, she has adjusted.
``It was a miracle that she even lived,'' said Lenau. ``I appreciate my child more than I would have. For every little thing they can do, you are blessed that much more.''
Organized and run by volunteers for nearly 25 years, Camp Special K brings together handicapped children 8 to 21 years old for crafts, classes and fun. It is the only summer program for handicapped children in northeastern North Carolina and may be the only one in the state, said camp director Nancy Harris. Last week's camp was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Ehringhaus Street.
Professionals who work with the handicapped children and parents volunteer to run the camp. Several businesses and churches contribute to its success. The only government contribution to the $1,500 needed to run the camp is a $200 grant for art supplies.
Edith Temple, one of eight camp directors, has worked with the camp for more than 20 years and helps with the art classes. She has no children of her own in the program.
``I've always worked with children,'' she said. ``Children are my favorite people.''
Adult supervision is almost one to one, not to stem misbehavior, but to increase success.
``You want so much to see them succeed,'' said Harris, who is a physical education teacher for the handicapped in the Pasquotank County School system. Harris has been director of Camp Special K for 20 years. It began as Camp Joy.
All of the children at the camp are part of Harris' physical education classes. She knows how simple the activities must be. One of Harris' students needed four years to learn how to skip. Harris taught him in steps. The first year, he learned how to hop on one foot. Each year he progressed further until one day the boy skipped across the room.
``You don't think I was excited?'' said Harris. ``You ask my husband.''
Much later, she saw the boy and his mother at a supermarket.
``Hi, Mrs. Harris,'' said the boy. ``Watch.'' He skipped across the floor at the supermarket showing his teacher he could still do it.
Harris' sister, Betty Jeanne Little, started the first programs for handicapped children in Pasquotank County in the early 1970s. She was killed in a plane crash in 1976. To carry on what her sister started, Harris switched from teaching regular PE classes to teaching the handicapped and has never regretted it.
``I love it,'' she said. ``These kids are the nicest, most well-mannered kids around. The little things make a big difference to them.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW WILSON
Children enjoy a visit to Meads Pool, which donates pool time to the
Camp Special K group for three afternoons. by CNB