17th Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Pfc. jarrett branch

FORT LEWIS, Wash. --The smell of barbeque filled the air as children and their families enjoyed a peaceful summer day and Soldiers learned the joy of volunteering for a good cause during the second annual Exceptional Family Members Program's Camp Fort Lewis 2009, at the Northwest Adventure Center, Fort Lewis, Wash., July 14-16.

The EFMP, a program for active duty personnel who have family members with special needs, hosted the camp to help meet one of the greatest needs of the EFMP members; a chance to just kick back and relax.

To pull off this three-day event, the EFMP welcomed some help from the 62nd Chemical Company, 23rd Chemical Battalion. The Soldiers assisted in whatever tasks needed to be done throughout the weekend.

The day started with a breakfast followed by a number of activities such as a pontoon boat ride around American Lake, arts and crafts, fishing and a nature walk around the Northwest Adventure Center camp grounds.

"I have about 30 Soldiers coming out to assist with the three-day camp," said Capt. Vance Brunner, 62nd Chem Co. "We are taking families out on pontoon boats and giving them tours of American Lake. The other really big thing we participated in was the fishing."

The support of the 62nd Chem Co. was appreciated by the camp organizers.

"From the junior enlisted to senior officers, they all assisted with the camp," said said Mary Herrera, the EMFP manager. "The Soldiers were very gracious and made an effort to say hello to everyone. They were very hands on, especially down by the lake.

"While the children were fishing the Soldiers showed them how reel in a fish and bait a hook. It was great participation from the whole group."

Camp Fort Lewis 2009 made it possible for EFMP members to enjoy opportunities that are usually not readily available for special needs families.

"This camp was developed for those families because they do not have the same opportunities available [as most families]," said April Sall, the lead parent volunteer for the EMFP camp. "Families with special need children or family members need to have these types of family activities because there are a limited number of special-need camps in the state of Washington."

This event brought the whole family together for an event that everyone could take part in.

"I think this camp is especially important because it's all inclusive," said Herrera. "It doesn't identify just the exceptional family members.

"Normally we have special need camps and just the kids go or we have a support group just for a certain population but this camp brings everyone together."

"We are just one of the tools that the parents can use and whatever the parents need we try to meet those needs, said Herrera. "We encourage family members to support each other and come together through the various challenges that they face."

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