The Minister for Defence Mr Tony Killeen TD visited the Cheshire Adventure Motivation Project (C.A.M.P) at Lahinch Army Barracks in Co. Clare yesterday (Sunday).
C.A.M.P was founded in 1987 by the Air Corps and the Cheshire Foundation of Ireland. The main aim of the Project is to use the experience and skills of the Air Corps in outward-bound activities, to provide the residents of the Cheshire Foundation with a meaningful challenge, to expand their lifestyle and to promote their welfare and independence.
The very first project was a summer camp in Lahinch in Co. Clare in 1987 and was a great success. Each year the Air Corps has provided instructors in rock climbing, boating, swimming, confidence training and survival activities. C.A.M.P run a six day summer camp programme and shorter mini camp programmes for participants throughout the year.
Since 1987 over 600 residents of the Cheshire foundation from across the country have participated in a range of activities which have included Abseiling, Camping, Rock climbing, Microliting, Paragliding, Canoeing, Sailing, Archery, Swimming, Krypton Factor challenges and horse riding to name a few. In total (inclusive of medical, staff, helpers, drivers, cooks and ancillaries) over 2500 persons have participated in the annual six day adventure camp. Of those approximately 600 have been people with a wide variety of physical disabilities. Today C.A.M.P is a recognised educational charity in its own right.
In 1997, while maintaining its strong links and its commitment to the Cheshire Foundation, C.A.M.P extended its work to include young adults from the Central Remedial Clinic, pupils from St. Mary’s School Baldoyle, St Mochuas Spina Bifida School, Clondalkin, and private homes.
Speaking during the visit to Lahinch Minister Killeen said he was highly impressed by the activities being undertaken by the participants of C.A.M.P.
He continued: “I know that the ethos of the Air Corp is that nothing is impossible if you work together and this ethos is so clearly evident today. People are being facilitated to do things that in ordinary life are beyond their wildest dreams. We all have fears and self doubt about certain things that can limit our ability to achieve our full potential. I know that the participants of C.A.M.P find the various activities an excellent way of building confidence and motivation.”
“I would like to pay tribute to all those involved in making C.A.M.P such a success. I know that the work of C.A.M.P and the range of activities available has greatly expanded since the beginning. You are providing unique and wonderful experiences for all those who participate and I commend you for your extraordinary work. I wish C.A.M.P every success in the future”, Minister Killeen concluded.
C.A.M.P was founded in 1987 by the Air Corps and the Cheshire Foundation of Ireland. The main aim of the Project is to use the experience and skills of the Air Corps in outward-bound activities, to provide the residents of the Cheshire Foundation with a meaningful challenge, to expand their lifestyle and to promote their welfare and independence.
The very first project was a summer camp in Lahinch in Co. Clare in 1987 and was a great success. Each year the Air Corps has provided instructors in rock climbing, boating, swimming, confidence training and survival activities. C.A.M.P run a six day summer camp programme and shorter mini camp programmes for participants throughout the year.
Since 1987 over 600 residents of the Cheshire foundation from across the country have participated in a range of activities which have included Abseiling, Camping, Rock climbing, Microliting, Paragliding, Canoeing, Sailing, Archery, Swimming, Krypton Factor challenges and horse riding to name a few. In total (inclusive of medical, staff, helpers, drivers, cooks and ancillaries) over 2500 persons have participated in the annual six day adventure camp. Of those approximately 600 have been people with a wide variety of physical disabilities. Today C.A.M.P is a recognised educational charity in its own right.
In 1997, while maintaining its strong links and its commitment to the Cheshire Foundation, C.A.M.P extended its work to include young adults from the Central Remedial Clinic, pupils from St. Mary’s School Baldoyle, St Mochuas Spina Bifida School, Clondalkin, and private homes.
Speaking during the visit to Lahinch Minister Killeen said he was highly impressed by the activities being undertaken by the participants of C.A.M.P.
He continued: “I know that the ethos of the Air Corp is that nothing is impossible if you work together and this ethos is so clearly evident today. People are being facilitated to do things that in ordinary life are beyond their wildest dreams. We all have fears and self doubt about certain things that can limit our ability to achieve our full potential. I know that the participants of C.A.M.P find the various activities an excellent way of building confidence and motivation.”
“I would like to pay tribute to all those involved in making C.A.M.P such a success. I know that the work of C.A.M.P and the range of activities available has greatly expanded since the beginning. You are providing unique and wonderful experiences for all those who participate and I commend you for your extraordinary work. I wish C.A.M.P every success in the future”, Minister Killeen concluded.
