A Camp Experience to Call His Own
From puff-paint maps to beeping archery targets, one parent shares how thoughtful accessibility turned her son’s summer camp dreams into a reality.
Griffin is your typical nine-year-old boy who loves robots, action figures, superheroes, drumming and wrestling. The youngest of three, he plays baseball at Miracle League and participates in peewee wrestling at his school. Griffin is also blind.
Griffin’s mom, Cary Smith, says that being an Occupational Therapist helped notice early on that something wasn’t quite right with his vision as a baby. He has no light perception, caused by a rare genetic abnormality. After visiting multiple doctors, their family decided to move to Little Rock, so that Griffin could receive specialized care and attend Arkansas School for the Blind& Visually Impaired.
As a sibling to an older brother who loves church camp, Griffin often asked, “When do I get to go to camp?” When those questions began, she called Camp Aldersgate to see if summer camp might be a good fit for Griffin.
Cary and Griffin toured the campus with Assistant Program Manager Emma Blosfelds and Director of Programs Luke Nipper. They recommended Griffin try Chronic Health Conditions Camp. Cary said the tour left her feeling grateful for the intentional measures taken to make sure Griffin was included in everything.
“When we got there, Emma had made a tactile map out of puff paint and tactile stickers. Griffin was able to follow along on the golf cart tour,” Cary said.
Emma and Luke explained the registration process, which includes a physician’s authorization form confirming that a camper is able to attend. At Griffin’s well-child check, his mom let him carry the authorization papers into the appointment.
“Griffin told his pediatrician, ‘I need you to say it’s okay for me to go to Camp Aldersgate,” Cary said. “At the end of the appointment, the doctor said, ‘Well Griffin, I’m going to sign this paper here saying you can go to Camp Aldersgate, and I hope you have the best time.’
You could tell Griffin was excited…he smiled big and said ‘Yes!’”
With the doctor’s signature in hand, Griffin could hardly wait for camp to begin. To his family’s surprise, he settled right in without a single call home. “I was so proud of him because he had never spent the night away from family before,” Cary said.
Griffin’s favorite activities included swimming every day, performing in the talent show and playing gaga ball – something his brother always talked
about loving .
One of his biggest accomplishments? Ziplining.
“He had set a goal for himself to do the zipline, and he did it, so he was very proud of himself for doing that,” Cary said.
“I mean, Griffin even did archery, and he is totally blind. He said they made a beeping target, and he made a bullseye. He feels a lot of pride in that. I was impressed that Aldersgate made it all possible for him to do that.”
At the end of the week, Griffin’s family attended Closing Ceremony, where campers receive awards and share about their time at camp. Griffin received a special award called “Medals for Mettle,” given to campers who show extraordinary grit and perseverance that marathon runners exhibit.
“I fully expect Griffin to be a fully independent man one day. He’s got big plans for that. He’ll tell you he’s going to have a wife and kids, and he’s going to be on a tour bus because he wants to be a drummer. I think this was a step toward that,” Cary said.
To other parents who may be hesitant about sending their child to camp, Cary offered reassurance:
“I would tell any parent to take a tour and give it a try because your kid might shock you that they don’t miss you and need you every second like you think they do.”
The Aldersgate team has been working with Eric Yarberry, CEO of World Services for the Blind, to further improve accessibility for blind and visually impaired campers. Cary also knows Yarberry through her personal and professional connections.
“At World Services for the Blind, we know how powerful it is when you are seen first for your potential, not your disability,” Eric said. “That’s why it matters so much for children like Griffin to have the same opportunities as his peers to participate in camp life. Ensuring accessibility means every child can recharge, grow in confidence and fully enjoy the same traditions that shape so many childhoods.”
Eric added: “By opening its doors to blind and visually impaired campers, the camp helps set the stage for balance in life and teaches campers how to rest, recharge and experience community outside of the classroom or workplace. What Camp Aldersgate is doing sends a powerful message: joy, adventure and belonging should be accessible to all.”
Cary said she noticed that intentionality in every step of the process.
“I think Aldersgate does a lot of things really well, but it’s also very different to make a sighted world accessible for a blind person and to make it fun and meaningful for them,” she said.
“Griffin has not stopped talking about camp since he went,” Cary said.
