Month: February 2022

Timber Pointe Outdoor Center 2022 Summer Camp Registration now open

Registration is now open for Timber Point Outdoor Center day camp and overnight camp programs. Camps begin June 6 and run through August 12, 2022. The beautiful 160-acre facility located in Hudson, IL is designed to offer specialized, inclusive, and adapted programming to meet the needs of campers (children and adults) with disabilities, developmental delays, and other special needs. To register for camp programs, visit www.timberpointeoutdoorcenter.com.

Everyone can participate in every activity at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center, regardless of their ability level!  Some of the most popular activities include the high ropes challenge course, zip line, heated outdoor pool, archery, equestrian arena, hiking, canoeing, boating, arts and crafts, sports and team competitions and so much more.


“A camp experience at Timber Pointe is transformative, not just for the camper, but for the entire family- giving parents/caregivers a well-deserved break, while giving campers unique and adaptive adventures through which they learn about and love themselves, as well as others different from them,” said Lydia Gartner, Director of Timber Pointe Outdoor Center. “They return home with confidence, independence, and hope, because when you’re here at camp, you discover that anything is possible– that everything is possible.”

Inclusive Day Camp Program:

Timber Pointe Outdoor Center day camps accept kids ages 5-17 of all ability levels and focus on each individual’s needs. Day camp runs Monday-Friday of the listed weeks from 8:00am-5:00pm. Breakfast and lunch are included. Cost is $335 per camper. Day camp is inclusive for kids with and without any type of disability. To learn more about our day camp programs visit www.timberpointeoutdoorcenter.com   

Overnight Camps:

Our overnight camps focus on our mission. Impact campers with challenging differences through life-changing experiences. At Timber Pointe, campers do what they’ve been told they can’t. For some campers, this could mean staying away from home for the first time, for others it is the feeling of flying across the zip line. For every camper, this week provides an opportunity for relaxation, independence and friendships.  The cost for week long overnight camps is $1100, and there are a variety of grants and scholarships available for families to reduce that cost. To learn more visit www.timberpointeoutdoorcenter.com.

Timber Pointe Outdoor Center is committed to working with families to ensure that our camps are as financially accessible as they are physically. Financial assistance is available through our Campership program. Campership grants help cover the cost of camp experiences for children and adults with a disability, developmental delay or other special needs. For more information on financial assistance, visit www.timberpointeoutdoorcenter.com.

Overnight Session 1: June 5th-10th (Youth ages 7-17 with a disability)

Theme: “Til’ the Cows Come Home”- Yeehaw! Start summer off on the right hoof as we take you down on the farm for an epic hoedown throwdown! This week will be jam-packed with barnyard-themed activities that will leave us snorting and hawing with laughter! Hang on to your hats though, partner, we’ll also ride into the Wild West for more adventure, playing and haying til’ the cows come home!

 Overnight Session 2: June 26th-July 1st (Youth ages 7-17 with a disability)

Theme: “Storytellers”-  This week, we’re diving in to timeless tales and powerful plots full of wonder, adventure, and friendship! We’ll head through the wardrobe into Narnia, follow the yellow brick road to Oz, experience magic at Hogwarts, fall down the rabbit hole into Wonderland, create some chaos with Thing 1 & 2, and so much more! No need for a golden ticket, just come with your curiosity and courage as we live out beloved stories and tell our very own tale at camp.

Overnight Session 3: July 3rd-8th (Adults ages 18+ with a disability)

Theme: “Holiday Hooplah”- Experience not just the 4th of July, but more of your favorite holidays all in one week! We’ll get spooky for Halloween, count down for New Year’s, go green for St. Patrick’s day and of course pull out all the stops for a July 4th celebration! Bring your holiday cheer and get ready to recreate special moments and magical traditions with your camp family, all with a unique camp take!

Overnight Session 4: July 10th-15th (Youth ages 7-17 with a disability)

Theme: “Wonder Emporium”- Creators and dreamers, wish-makers and wonderers, this week is for

construct in Build-Your-Owns, design and decorate in the 2nd Annual TPOC Cake-Off, and finally answer the question– CAN we make art from the top of the zip line? Get ready to explore infinite possibilities as you step into the Wonder Emporium!

Overnight Session 5: July 24th-29th (Adults ages 18+ with a disability)

Theme: “Groovin’ Through the Decades”- Calling all cool cats! Put on your boogie shoes and join us for a far out week exploring the roaring ’20s, nifty ’50s, the disco decade (’70s), and more totally tubular times! Full of tie-dye, hot rods, disco, and throwbacks like shrinky dinks and Pac Man (with their own camp twists), this week’s activities will be the bees knees!

Overnight Session 6: August 7th-12th (Youth ages 7-17 with OR without a disability)

Theme: “TPOC-TV”- Things will get REAL this week as we play and contend in camp spin-offs of reality TV show competitions! You’ll complete Survivor-style challenges, become fashion designers in “Project Funway,” show off your skills in “TPOC’s Got Talent”, whip up tasty treats in “(Pie)-Iron Chef” and judge your favorite camp staff as they battle it out in “Dancing with the (Camp) Stars!” Epic entertainment awaits, so step away from the screens and into the very real world of TPOC-TV!

Ambassador Update: Eloise

Two-year-old Eloise has the incredible ability to smile even when things are really challenging. She is a spunky, opinionated, and amazing girl who has the resources and support to make her own story. Her parents, Rachel and Zach, share, “There is something supernatural about Eloise’s joy.”

When Eloise was born, her parents were told that she would not be able to make intentional movements or communicate. But when we met with an occupational therapist at Easterseals, they saw Eloise exceed those expectations. She reaches for things and tries to swipe at different stimuli. Ever since that first meeting, Eloise has made huge leaps in play.

Her parents want the world to know that Eloise is an incredible, beautiful, hardworking, and joyful little girl. She has a disability, which means that her life looks different. However, she still deserves every opportunity other children have, and Easterseals is paving the way to make that happen.

“Easterseals is a resource to help parents learn how to empower and equip their children to live their lives to the fullest, whatever that looks like for them. Easterseals comes alongside children to help them reach their individualized, full potential.” 

Rachel, Eloise’s Mom

Eloise has Holoprosencephaly (HPE). She began receiving occupational therapy and physical therapy services from Easterseals when she was 4 months old. Now, almost two years later, her parents are excited as they see her excel in her own way.

“Eloise’s life is not about hitting milestones; it is about learning about Eloise’s capacity and then empowering her to live her life. – and that is what Easterseals does!”

Ambassador Update: Jordan

For the Rodiguez family, Jordan’s behavior challenges can be a daily struggle, but with the help of Occupational Therapy at Easterseals, Jordan continues to make great progress! Most notably, he has used his skills to improve his relationships with his teachers & friends.

He is currently working on following directions in general & self-regulation in the morning to get ready for school. Ms. Erin, Jordan’s Occupational therapist, starts the session by talking to Jordan and agreeing on the activities. She gives him choices during the session so he feels motivated & excited to participate. By meeting Jordan where he is at emotionally for the day, Erin makes the session fun, enjoyable, and something he works forward to!

Telehealth has been a great option for their busy family, while still providing quality therapy. He is able to thrive and work on independence, with support and supervision from his mom. 

“Easterseals, in my experience, is a top-notch professional service for all sorts of needs. They are diagnostic at the start. Individualized action plans are well thought out & shared buy-in is obtained from the family. Therapists work toward specific goals & are specialists in what they do. Therapists are committed to a child’s success & are willing to be on a larger team with school & medical professionals to problem solve. In general, I can’t imagine any better service provided to Jordan in meeting his unique needs.”

Kathy, Jordan’s Mom

Kathy shared what she wants the world to know about her amazing son;“ I want the world to know the REAL Jordan.  The one that can make a room of people laugh through his storytelling. The one that would do anything to help or care for someone he cares about. The one who has overcome the trauma of his toddlerhood, the loss & grief of life as he knew it to enter a new world & family without any say in the matter & functions better than most, given his circumstances. The one who loves to be loved & is capable of reciprocating.”

Easterseals Ambassador Helps prepare new Bloomington Therapy Spaces

Easterseals Ambassador, Reece, grabbed a paintbrush and got to work. He left his mark on the wall, much like he has left his mark on Easterseals over the past few years.

Reece’s mom brought him to check up on the construction of the new Bloomington-Normal YMCA that will be the new home of Easteresals Central Illinois in Bloomington! the construction site. The new site is expected to open in Summer 2022. Check out the WMBD news story below!

Easterseals Central Illinois is moving to a new location in Bloomington