About the camp

Parents of children with disabilities came together in 1952 to decide that a summer camp environment would be an ideal recreation opportunity for their children. In 1953, the City of Grand Rapids granted them a permanent fifteen acre park; Aman Park.

Over the last 55 years the non-profit camp has continued providing recreational camping for disabled children and adults alike. Hundreds of people visit the camp every year, and engage in hikes, canoe trips, talent shows, hay rides, archery, swimming, dances, and a multitude of other fun, engaging activities.

The camp has a volunteer board of directors, and a majority of the regular staff are college students who are going into fields where they will have regular interaction with disabled individuals. They are going to be special education teachers, therapists, social workers, and medical personnel, among other things.

Campers

Indian Trails Camp caters mostly to disabled persons whose major disability is of physical nature. For applicants with severe mental and/or emotional impairments, they will refer to more appropriate camps. There is a nursing/health staff at the camp at all times, but there are certain procedures and treatments which the staff is not authorized or able to carry out.

Those who attend Indian Trails Camp are most often diagnosed with the following:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Muscular Distrophy
• Mylomeningocele
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Arthrogryposis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Epilepsy
• Traumatic Injury (brain or spinal cord injury)

For a more in-depth description of camper qualifications see the "Eligibility" link on the top headline.

Facilities

The camp covers just over 15 acres now, with 25 buildings in total, surrounded by a natural wildlife atmosphere. Root Beer Lake rests on the property, with plenty of nature trails for hiking purposes. See the photo gallery on the top headline for images of the facility.