Once Upon a Time...
Once Upon A Time….a hospital administrator with a background in respiratory therapy, and a child life specialist sought to create a summer overnight camping experience for children with tracheostomies and those requiring ventilator or technological assistance. Working closely with children in hospital settings, many of whom had quadriplegia, Dave Carter and Nancy McCurdy recognized the need to provide opportunities for these young people to fully experience and enjoy life beyond their medical challenges.
Once Upon a Time…Due to the medical fragility and around-the-clock care required by children living on ventilators, traditional camp programs were not an option. Determined to make the outdoors accessible to these potential campers, David and Nancy discovered that only a few camps in the country served this unique population. In May 1991, they began the work to make their dream come true.
With the strong logistical support of Lifelines Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, once located in central Indiana, and financial gifts from individuals and several businesses in the community, a weekend pilot program was launched at Camp Isanogel in Muncie, Indiana. in August 1991. The inaugural camp was filled with unforgettable and exciting experiences. In 1992, the camp moved to Bradford Woods in Martinsville, Indiana, and by 1993, CHAMP Camp found a new home at Recreation Unlimited in Ashley, Ohio, just north of Columbus. Over time, the camp grew steadily, welcoming campers from 13 states.
In honor of National Tell a Fairy Tale Day, and in celebration of 35 years at camp, we are excited to announce the theme for CHAMP Camp 2025…
A Tale of Three Counselors
In 2002, I (Tara Quirke) attended camp as a counselor. I was a fairly new SLP with 5 years of experience and worked at Lifeline’s Children’s hospital, so I knew all about camp. I loved the week and all of the opportunities to help the kids do such fun things. I also got really good at trach management (suctioning, bagging, etc.) which helped me every day in my job. The next summer I had my first child, followed by 2 more in 5 years and I never made it back.
Twenty years later in 2022, the baby I had in 2003, Elaine, was a nursing student and she attended camp as a counselor for the first time and has been back every year and says it is the best week of her year. My son, Michael, was also able to join her as a junior counselor in 2024 and said it was a life changing experience.
We have been lucky to have 2 generations experience CHAMP CAMP!
The Stoll Family
Once Upon a Time…the Stoll family experienced the unparalleled, wholesome love of CHAMP Camp counselors and staff for the first time in 2018.
I still vividly remember the day that we dropped off Hannah, (now alumni camper and counselor!), at camp. She was met with cheering, with hugs and excited smiles. Met with so much love that my family and I were stunned, moved to tears of happiness and disbelief that so much love and acceptance could exist anywhere.
She came home with stories and new friends, friends that she has still kept to this day. Other people just like her. A newfound confidence in herself as she tackled life and did things she never thought she could prior.
CHAMP Camp changed our lives and changed them for the better.
Hannah and I made a pact before she graduated from camp as a camper that not only would we get involved in CHAMP Camp together, but we would both be lifelong counselors together.
I wanted to give back to other children at camp because the counselors and staff at Camp had poured into my sister, changed her life. I could never repay everyone at CHAMP Camp for the positive force they became in Hannah’s life, but I could try to do the same for other children at Camp.
I write this, as the sibling to an alumni camper and counselor, for my fellow counselors and members of staff that you do change lives by what you do because you changed the lives of myself, Hannah, and the rest of my family. You instilled confidence in her. You showed her unconditional love. You showed Hannah that she can go after what she wants, she can live her life how she wants, and that a “trach” should never stop her. You inspire me every year at Camp as a counselor now to pour into these kids because this is so much bigger than me.
Camp changes lives. Camp opens doors. Camp embodies pure and unconditional love.
From the depths of my soul, thank you for allowing me the chance to give back because you poured your time, your hearts, your souls, into my sister and all the campers. I look forward to many more “once upon a times” at CHAMP Camp.
CHAMP Camp is more than “once upon a time”; it is ongoing love.
In the Spirit of Camp and With All My Love,
Bree Stoll
In the summer of 1998, CHAMP Camp expanded its offerings to include 
enrichment experiences tailored to the evolving needs of adolescents. By 2011, the camp returned to Bradford Woods, bringing it back to its Indiana roots. The program has evolved remarkably over the years. Activities now include canoeing, climbing a 50-foot alpine tower, fishing, swimming, creative arts, recreational games, outdoor living skills, pontoon boating, zip lining and exploring the camp’s extraordinary treehouse. Thanks to our dedicated volunteer staff – composed primarily of healthcare professionals – all activities and equipment are carefully adapted to ensure full camper participation. CHAMP Camp truly embodies a “can-do” spirit.
Found in the CHAMP Camp archives.
Who knows the story behind this poem?
It definitely continues to fully encompass the CHAMP Camp spirit!
It’s Just Camp
By Fred Baldwin
Dawn Breaks, the chairs start moving.
A child wakes, a treatment given.
Time for breakfast.
…It’s Just Camp
Time for fishing.
A bluegill, a new friend made, a young boy smiles.
A battery changed, more oxygen filled.
It’s been a long morning.
…It’s Just Camp
Time for lunch.
Tables are set, stories are told, a feeding given.
Announcements made, a “Good Job” cheer.
Lunch is finished, tables cleaned, wheelchairs running.
…It’s Just Camp
We run the challenge, they’ve conquered so many.
She climbs the tower, our spirits soar.
Then back to the cabin to suction a line.
Next out of chairs and in the canoes.
And paddle away all our fears.
…It’s Just Camp
At arts and crafts.
A banner, a gift box or vase.
But best of all are the memories we made.
…It’s Just Camp
At the Masquerade Dance,
we can hide who we are
and be whoever we want to.
The DJ is playing, the wheels are spinning.
We dance well into the dark.
…It’s Just Camp
The talent show, a hayride.
Marshmallows on the fire.
A chair goes on, a chair comes down.
A lifetime of memories made.
…It’s Just Camp
The day is over, the pranks are done, we sing “good night”.
The chairs are gone, rest for the day.
A monitor blinks.
An alarm is silenced.
…It’s Just Camp
It’s Just a Camp,
But not for all.
To come to this camp,
One must be a CHAMP, whether big or small.
It’s not just camp…
It’s CHAMP Camp!
We found this adorable photo as we were looking through past memories of camp!
Let’s play “Name those Campers”!
Bonus points if you share a story about your time with them at camp!
Some people got together to provide a summer camp that was unique and special because it served the unique and special. And they created a family.
We are so grateful for our CHAMP Camp family and the love that you show for each other.
We are excited for the road to bring us together to celebrate 35 years of amazing experiences the week of June 14-19.
Where is the road to camp bringing you from?
Swimming became a possibility.
Roll Call time….are you in this picture? Or can you name someone who is?
