Program for special ed and mainstream students honored

Camp HEART received award at Governor’s Conference

on Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities
By:Audrey Levine
   It is designed to see past differences among people and, in the one year it has been active, has already earned recognition for its work.
   Camp HEART (Hillsborough Education and Recreation Together), an inclusive recreation program designed for those with and without special needs, received the New Jersey distinguished Agency Recreation Services Award at the 28th Annual Governor’s Conference on Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities held May 9 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Monroe.
   "We appreciate getting the award," said Mayor Anthony Ferrera, who was instrumental in beginning the program in 2006. "It makes the community more aware of what we have and how good of a program it really is."
   According to Rich Resavy, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, the award was given to the program in honor of it having demonstrated a commitment to integrating people with and without disabilities.
   "Camp H.E.A.R.T., Hillsborough Education and Recreation Together, was created to further enhance the inclusive recreation options for the children of Hillsborough," he said.
   Camp H.E.A.R.T. is a summer camp offered by the Department of Parks and Recreation in collaboration with the school district. It accepts 100 children, age two to 18, and offers everyday camp activities, including swimming and soccer. In addition, the camp also provides sessions with specialists who can work directly with special needs children.
   "It is our ultimate goal along with the school district to provide the same respect and attention afforded any other member of the community when recreation programming is being planned, designed and implemented," Mr. Resavy said.
   Mayor Ferrera said the award can be credited to all those who have come together in the past year to make the program a success, including high school student volunteers and therapists who offer their time to work with the children.
   "And we are just going to keep getting better as we continue to grow the program," he said.