Hartville Scout’s Eagle project builds accessibility at Akron Rotary Camp

Xander Kiltau, a scout with Boy Scout Troop 45 of Hartville, is working toward the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop 45 operates out of St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church.

For his Eagle Scout project, Xander built a handicapped-accessible picnic table and a podium for use at the Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, located at 4460 Rex Lake Drive in Akron. Ken Williams and a couple of friends from Lake High School helped deliver the project to the camp on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 21.

“The camp was thrilled,” the family shared.

Pamela Kiltau, Xander’s grandmother, said, “Thank you to everyone who helped Xander along the way. It’s been a journey starting last year when he reached out to the camp. Thanks to Amanda Warner, director of volunteer opportunities and special events, Mella Hawk Castner, executive director of the Rotary Club of Akron, and all the counselors at camp who took part in the brainstorming for what they needed for the children.

“I am so proud of the Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs and Boy Scout Troop 45. If you get a chance to visit the camp, you will be amazed at what they’ve accomplished. Thank you again, Troop 45, for your support. I am one proud grandma!”

Pamela Kiltau also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Akron Rotary Camp.

The Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs has been serving the community since 1924 and celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. For more than a century, the camp has offered life-changing opportunities to children and adults with developmental, physical and mental health challenges. It has become a trusted resource throughout Northeast Ohio, giving campers with special needs the chance to enjoy traditional camp activities, develop friendships, learn life skills and create lasting memories.

The camp offers several programs. Its children’s overnight camp, offered since 1924, is designed for ages 6 to 17. Adult camp is available for campers 18 and older, while day camp serves those ages 6 to 21, allowing participants to spend nights at home. This year, about 1,200 children and adults will take part in programs.

Campers include those with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays and Down syndrome, as well as physical disabilities such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy and blindness. Others face learning disabilities, mental health disorders or multiple diagnoses.

To qualify, a camper simply needs to have a disability. Rotary Camp’s mission is to create a world where there are only abilities, offering children and families the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in a camp setting. No child is ever turned away for inability to pay.

Donations of time, resources or money help Rotary Camp provide these opportunities. Every contribution supports its mission of “Creating a World Where There Are Only Abilities.”

For more information, visit gotcamp.org or call 330-644-4512.