Easter Seals Disability Services

CAMP CHALLENGE HISTORY

     Camp Challenge is a facility owned and operated by Easter Seals Florida, Inc. Easter Seals Florida regional offices and affiliates along with various rehabilitation centers form the core of support for campers, campership dollars, and financial assistance.

     The program planning is centered on the needs of individual with a disability. The specially designed facility provides recreational and social experiences, with the added incentives of challenge and competition for camper fun and enjoyment.

     The central location of Camp Challenge is well situated to serve the entire state and some Southern states. Through the efforts of Board Member, Mrs. Sydney L. Weintraub of Miami, Mr. Stanton D. Sanson agreed in 1960 to donate 50 acres of his Mt. Plymouth Lakes tract on State Route 46 between Mount Dora and Sanford. In 1973, the Deltona Corporation donated 13 adjacent acres of orange grove making a total of 63 acres for the campsite.

      In planning Florida’s first camp without architectural barriers, the state director drew upon the New York Herald-Tribune’s experience with camps for individuals with disabilities, together with visits to Easter Seals camps in other states. In 1961, with General Arnold J. Funk of Sarasota as president of the state society and Dr. Bruce Thomason of the University of Florida as chairman of the Camp Committee, work was begun. The first session was held in 1961 with only hygiene facilities and the pool constructed. A circus tent was borrowed for a dining hall and the 108 charter campers and all staff lived in borrowed squad tents. A mobile therapy trailer served as the dispensary.

     Camp Challenge now has 10 fully air conditioned/heated cabins, ADL building, health and wellness center, dining hall with a capacity of 150 at a meal, arts and crafts building, maintenance workshop, nature building, archery and rifle range, swimming pool, universal ropes course, and a one-half mile paved nature trail.
                                            

31600 Camp Challenge Road  ▪  Sorrento, FL 32776  ▪  (352) 383-4711