Fredric Hamon

Cookson, OK (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal

Camp Grey Squirrel, Inc.

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Location: Cookson
Industry: Non Profit
Year Founded: 2007
Number Employees: 1-10 people
Description: Camp Grey Squirrel is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a typical camping experience to children with autism spectrum disorders. With 5 camp sessions since June of 2009, we are looking forward to 36 Day Camp Sessions and 1 week of Resident Camp in 2010. We have a proposed property site, but will be hosted at 2 facilities in our area. We are hosted by The Circle of Care's United Methodist Boys Ranch and the United Methodist Children's Home. Both sites offer Certified Equine Therapy. The typical day camp session includes Equine Therapy, Arts & Crafts - making a scrapbook of themselves on a horse, sports, hay ride, camp fire, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. Our staffing is the greatest expense. We have 1:1 ratio, and has one time required 2:1 staff to camper. Currently 1 in 150 kids are diagnosed with autism. The rate of divorce among parents with children with autism spectrum disorders is an alarming 80%. This camp is a first for Oklahoma and the surrounding states. We will have therapy year round. The families will not be required to pay for therapy services. Any camper on a first come, first served basis will be invited to camp. In the future while researching the possibilties, staff and campers will wear global tracking devices for their safty. Parents are welcomed to stay during day camp sessions. We had a booth at our Tulsa State Fair and all of our campers came from all over Oklahoma and Arkansas in November. We started our camp from the angle of getting property, building and then opening. As this is not feasible nor practical in today's economy, we are now looking to use host sites until we have the means to purchase property and build. The goal is to provide these services to these great kids and their families now. Our project would have a $10 million dollar price tag to start from scratch. For now, providing services can be accomplished on a tight, modest budget of $200,000 in 2010. All donations are tax deductible. Our project is greatly needed. Many insurance companies in our area do not provide "autism" coverage. The children deserve these services and the parents deserve a break from their daily routines. Thanks for your support. Please visit our website at (URL removed) and donate through our PayPal donation button; US mail - PO Box 75, Cookson, OK 74427; or through Go Big Network.