We love singing the praises of our partners, and Wisconsin Badger Camp was formative in the potential of Night Owl Support Systems Remote Supports.
It’s now been 60 years that Wisconsin Badger Camp invites campers to enjoy a broad range of outdoor experiences based across their 600+ acres of wilderness near Prairie du Chien, WI.
Badger Camp started in 1966 when parents, teachers and concerned citizens decided it was time to give individuals with developmental disabilities the same summer camp opportunities that other children received. That year 48 individuals were able to camp, fish and simply enjoy the outdoors like most anyone at summer camp.
Something that makes Badger Camp additionally unique is that the organization hosts summer camps for both children and adults. People can grow through Badger Camp throughout their lifetime. Some guests have been attending camp for more than 30 years! At present, eight weeks of camp are dedicated to adult campers.
Camp options include Primitive Camps and Travel Camps. At Primitive Camps participants can learn about animal and plant life, ride horses, swim, participate in crafts and other activities. During Travel Camps participants can board a Mississippi riverboat, visit Lambeau Field (that’s home to the Green Bay Packers for you out-of-towners), scale the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and chase other adventures!
NOSS co-founder and partner Chris Patterson spent four summers working at Badger Camp while in college. Learning and working alongside people with disabilities proved formative in understanding how Remote Supports could provide a more ideal safety net for many people with disabilities.
“Many people arrive to Badger Camp from various settings and home situations that are incredibly structured. Watching people let their hair down and enjoy the freedom to be themselves for the first time helped me, years later, to understand the potential for Remote Supports to improve lives by creating more independence,” said Chris.
Chris and the NOSS partnership continue as he has since served as Chair and Vice Chair on the Wisconsin Badger Camp Board. Additionally, many people who NOSS supports are Badger Campers—stay tuned for future spotlights of Wisconsin Badger Campers who use NOSS Remote Supports services!
Right now, Badger Camp is hiring for summer staff positions and welcoming applications for campers to attend. First-time campers are required to complete an application. While the name might be Wisconsin Badger Camp, campers come from all over the United States to enjoy the fun experiences.
Thank you to all of the hardworking Wisconsin Badger Camp volunteers, seasonal and year-round employees and board members who dedicate their efforts to providing summer camp experiences for people with disabilities!
Give Wisconsin Badger Camp a follow to join in the fun and click the link in our comments to learn more about them!
