Camp Imua, nestled in the West Maui Mountains at the Maluhia campgrounds, is a place of limitless possibilites. Once a year, children with special needs are immersed in activities that encourage them to be themselves - just as they are - and to not be fettered by learning and developmental challenges.
Instead, the obstacle is deciding what to do each day: whether riding horses, taking helicopter tours, swimming and playing games, or an array of other activities.
The free, weeklong camp is staffed by volunteers and supported entirely by the year-round help of isle community members and businesses. The Imua Family Services' program is now in its 34th year.
Last month, 52 campers and about 155 volunteers participated in a jam-packed, fun-filled week of activities, including arts and crafts, games, swimming, helicopter rides, ziplining, movies, dances, campfire stories, singing and off-site explorations, along with special events like a talent show, a carnival and a luau. Campers pick the activities they would like to join, with the encouragement of caregivers to "help them experience things they wouln't have the same opportunity to do outside of camp," said Tracy Kealoha, Imua Family Services program director, who helps oversee the camp.
Using camp applications, the camp manager teams up volunteers with campers based on each camper's individual needs. Two or more volunteers and caregivers are typically assigned to each camper and support is offered around the clock.
While campers must be Maui County residents, many volunteers are off-island residents or college students who return home for the summer.
Teenagers comprise a large percentage of the volunteers at Camp Imua. Seabury Hall student Anastasia Rogers, 16, has been volunteering at Camp Imua for the past three years and said she plans to return next year.
This year, Rogers told some of her friends about it, and they volunteered also.
For Camp Imua supporters, the old adage of it's better to give than to receive still holds true. While the camp focuses entirely on the benefit of the children, community volunteers often say the experience is more than gratifying.
"Camp is not just an amazing experience for the campers, but the volunteers as well," said Kirsten Von Tungeln, a two-time volunteer at Camp Imua. "The campers have a place to come to where they can have fun and be themselves while the volunteers learn a lot about themselves through a gratifying and humbling experience. It's always so nice to see the community working together for the benefit of the children."
And the camp truly is a community success story: Local businesses and individuals support Camp Imua entirely with funding, donations and in-kind services. There is no state or county funding, Kealoha said.
"We are so appreciative of the extraordinary support our community provides to Camp Imua," said Karen Jayne, executive director for Imua Family Services. "Generous support from major contributors such as the HEI Charitable Foundation, Wailea Community Association, Wal-Mart Foundation, Friends of Hawaii Charities, Kaiser Foundation, Maui Architectural Group, Goodfellow Foundation Trust, Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, Hawaiian Tug & Barge/Young Brothers, and the Visitor Industry Charity Walk ensures Camp Imua can continue in our community."
Despite its long history and positive impact on the community, the camp continues to rely on the donations - especially during times of economic challenges.
"After 34 years, Camp Imua is at a turning point," said Sonya Niess, Camp Imua manager. "The troubled economy greatly affected the program this year and so we are focusing our efforts to be a more sustainable, community supported program for the years to come. We need everyone's kokua."
To help Camp Imua, make a tax-deductable donation to Imua Family Services. Volunteer and camper applications for Camp Imua 2011 are online at www.imuafamilyservices.org/imua. Contact Imua Family Services at 244-7467 for more information.
* Staff Writer Kehaulani Cerizo contributed to this story.
