By: Audrey Rosendahl
Camp I am Special is a 6-day non-profit camp in summer where individuals with disabilities are paired one-on-one with trained buddies to experience a safe, joy-filed week of inclusion, growth, and unconditional love. Davis Powell, a sophomore at Ponte Vedra High School, (PVHS) is apart of this camp and has impacted others’ lives as well as his own. He has done this the past two summers when he found out about it one time at church and sparked his interest.
During high school, students are expected to get a certain number of volunteer hours. For Davis, he did not just serve there out of obligation, it turned out to be a life changing experience. Davis was partnered with a camper named Andrew. They would do activities together, learn together, and create a bond with one another. All day, Davis would help Andrew participate in yoga, crafts, and adaptive sports to fill the day with joy-filled activities.
“I learned patience, empathy, and true love throughout my experience here. I learned life lessons including that serving does not have to be a chore, but instead out of genuine self-love.”
Davis Powell (10)
Volunteering is one of the requirements for high schoolers, but it does not have to be a chore. It can turn out to be an excellent experience and give students opportunities to learn so much. It was a challenge for Davis to see how some kids, even his own age struggle with everyday activities. Davis learned throughout the camp that they enjoy every little detail, such as solving a puzzle or enjoying a view and it helped Davis see that for himself as well.
For Davis, volunteering at Camp I am Special has helped him see people past their disabilities and has changed his whole perspective on how he views people. Davis says, “I learned patience, empathy, and true love throughout my experience here. I learned life lessons including that serving does not have to be a chore, but instead out of genuine self-love.”
Pictured: Davis Powell and Andrew at Camp I am Special
