Amputee Coalition’s Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp

The 2012 Amputee Coalition’s Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp was held on July 21-25, 2012, at the Joy Outdoor Education Center in Clarksville, Ohio. Thanks to everyone who made this year’s camp a success.

The Amputee Coalition’s Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp is a 5-day traditional summer camp experience for children ages 10-17 who have lost arms and/or legs or who were born with limb differences. The camp offers challenging activities that build campers’ confidence regardless of skill level.

A unique aspect of our program is that campers are not accompanied by their parents, which inspires campers to take on new challenges, be independent, test themselves and build new friendships in a supportive, caring environment.

The Coalition covers all expenses, including travel, for the campers. The average cost to send a child to camp is $1,500. Since its beginning in 2000, the camp has hosted more than 600 campers with limb loss or limb difference.

Camp Mission

To make a difference in the lives of children with limb loss and limb difference by increasing their self-confidence and self-esteem through a traditional and supportive summer camp experience.

Camp Vision

To become the national model in summer camp programs for children with limb loss and limb difference.

Camp History

The Amputee Coalition’s Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp began in 2000 as the Youth Initiative. The Youth Initiative was originally a satellite program offered at the Annual Amputee Coalition Educational Conference & Exposition. Realizing the need to have specific programming for its youth members, the Amputee Coalition developed the Youth Initiative to help provide a support group for youths with limb loss or limb difference. The Youth Initiative was held in conjunction with the conference from 2000 until 2002, when it became known as the Amputee Coalition Youth Camp, run by the Youth Activities Program (YAP).

When concerns of security and privacy for the youths were addressed, the camp was moved to an off-site venue in 2003. In 2004, the camp was separated from the conference due to the difficulty of hosting two national events at the same time. The camp was held at Camp Dream in Warm Springs, Georgia, from 2005 until 2007, when we outgrew the facility. In 2008, the Amputee Coalition Youth Camp moved to the Joy Outdoor Education Center in Ohio. This facility offered new activities and more space so that the camp could accommodate more campers.

In the fall of 2009, the youth camp name was changed to honor Paddy Rossbach, former Amputee Coalition president and CEO, who was instrumental in developing the program.

If you are interested in being added to our camp mailing list or want to learn more about our programs, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 888/267-5669 ext. 8143, or e-mail camp@amputee-coalition.org.

Support the Amputee Coalition’s Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp

If you would like to support this incredible program and see to it that the camp will impact the lives of youth for years to come, you can make a tax-deductible donation today.