download the May 2011 issue (PDF). - Inside Chappaqua

No Mystery Here:
Wagon Road Camp Means Tons of Fun for All
Social and emotional
growth. Learning new
skills. Forming friendships.
These are some
of the amazing benefits
a diverse group of
children receive while
enjoying outdoor adventures
at Wagon Road
Camp. “Our programs
are designed with the
belief that when children
spend time with
each other doing fun,
interesting, and challenging
activities they
build close relationships
with each other and see
themselves as capable, happy people,”
said director Vince Canziani.
Despite its location on Chappaqua’s
main stretch and comprising
53 acres, the camp remains a
mystery to many residents. From
1955 through 1991, it served only
children with Muscular Dystrophy
and other physical disabilities,
so many people think it’s a charity
camp for disabled children. In
1992, it opened a mainstream summer
day camp for children from
Chappaqua, surrounding Westchester
area, and New York City. Owned
and operated by The Children’s Aid
Society, a New York non-profit social
service agency serving children
living in poverty, many people view
it as a camp for troubled children.
Another misconception.
The year-round comprehensive
camp offers three main programs:
summer day camp for children
ages 6-13, Overnight Respite for
developmentally-delayed children
ages 7-17, and adventure team
building for middle and high school
students. “Our comprehensive day
camp is devoted to enriching the
experiences of children through
exciting and fun recreational and
arts activities. The program’s
34 Inside Chappaqua May 2011
By Pamela Brown
unique part is that the campers
are a diverse group of children who
come from all socio-economic, ethnic,
and racial backgrounds,” said
Canziani. “This creates an enrichment
opportunity we value and are
committed to exploring with our
campers. Children build important
skills when they learn to accept differences
and find commonalities.”
The facility features two stateof-the-art
heated pools and horse
corral and offers a broad spectrum
of indoor and outdoor activities
that build relationships, encourage
teamwork, and promote healthy
development, higher expectations,
and broader perspectives. Activities
include swimming and swim lessons,
horseback riding, dance, drama,
music, adventure ropes, nature
exploration, gardening, cooking,
sports, and group games. Special
events include overnights, Summer
Carnival, and guest performers.
“Our activities invite campers to do
new things and develop new skills
and interests. We challenge them,
but we’re careful not to overwhelm
them," said Canziani.
Colleen Guernier, 13, of Chappaqua
has attended the camp for
many years. “The cost is reasonable
and the different activities offer
Colleen a variety of
choices. She loves swimming
and they spend a
lot of time in the pool,”
said her mom, Mary.
“She was able to participate
in activities she
ordinarily wouldn’t have
chosen or been exposed
to, such as the ropes
activities. She was able
to try them in a safe
environment with counselors
who encouraged
her and friends who
kept her motivated.”
Mary appreciates the
many counselors who are current
or former Greeley students. “We
have older children and many of
their friends have been Wagon
Road Camp counselors in the last
several years which was great for
Colleen. It gave me a sense of comfort
knowing some of the counselors
who would look after her.”
A diverse population is also a
plus. “It allowed Colleen to realize
everyone is really the same when
you get past where you’re from and
what you have and don’t have. It’s
a good experience to realize how
fortunate you are and to be able to
share a friendship with someone
who may not look like you or have
what you have yet enjoys all the
same fun activities you do.”
Wagon Road Camp is located at
431 Quaker Road, Chappaqua, NY.
In addition to its camp program,
the facility is used as a location for
conferences and special events and
offers project adventure workshops
for professionals and an overnight
retreat program for school groups
from the NYC Metropolitan area
during the academic year. For more
information, call 238-4761 or visit
www.childrensaidsociety.org/wagonroad-camp.