A Unique, Family Experience in Deep Gap
By Jesse Wood and Chelsea Charping
W
three years old. When onderful the younger Charlie things would visit his grandhappen parents Jim and Sue in w h e n the mountains, Taylor children – with or withnoticed a particular out autism – are imjoy and happiness emmersed in the great outanating from Charlie doors, and of the many when he was explorbenefits that nature ing outside. “Charlie provides to the overall helped give me a vision development of kids, of how I could provide KAMPN founder Dr. others an opportunity Jim Taylor noticed that to enjoy the benefits of one boon is the sense of nature,” Taylor said. awe and wonder that na“Almost everything ture elicits in children – I have done, I have particularly those with asked God for a direcautism that the camp tion to take in my life. serves. Whether it is the This time, Charlie inibarefoot feel of a woodtiated this direction chip-covered trail weavas I observed his reacing through the 25-acre tions and behaviors in camp in Deep Gap and this natural setting.” the sensation of rubbing While KAMPN pinecones and tree bark incorporated and obin the forest or splashtained nonprofit status ing through cool creeks on May 1, 2011, the in the summer months, camp didn’t open until KAMPN’s Camp Cog2013. Since the incepger provides the sensory tion of the KAMPN experience that kids Campers pose for a picture together at KAMPN, organization, Taylor with autism relish. It also struggled to raise enough provides, for a change, a where enjoyment in nature is a priority and families feel welcome. funds to open the camp, setting for the families to so it would be free of cost to the families. The subsidy was a prifeel comfortable and relaxed. Taylor’s inspiration for KAMPN, which stands for “Kids ority because raising a child with autism is expensive and Taywith Autism Making Progress in Nature,” derived from ob- lor wanted families to be able to relax and enjoy their stay withserving his 10th grandson named Charlie, who was diagnosed out worrying about financing the trip. Along with individual several years ago on the autism spectrum when he was nearly donors, KAMPN has also received financial support from 56
High Country Magazine
April / May 2014