KOSTOPULOS DREAM FOUNDATION CAMP KOSTOPULOS

There is an unfortunate stigma surrounding people with disabilities. Many in our society, including people with disabilities and their families, believe that “they can't": they can't succeed, they can't have a job, they can't successfully integrate into their community. This belief has been reinforced by our society, and the way that people with disabilities are treated by the community as a whole. Because of these beliefs, and the stigma associated, there is little motivation for them to venture out and try to do something different. Many of these people are relegated to a sedentary, and often very lonely, life. And, most are fully dependent upon State/Federal programs, or family members, for their full financial support.

At Camp K, we believe that “everyone can". We see what they can do on a regular basis, as they participate in the activities at Camp K. Camp K shows the students, families, caregivers, and our entire community, what our students can accomplish. We are changing the paradigm for our students, their families, and the community as a whole, as we demonstrate what they “Can Do". This will open the door to expanding the horizons for this vulnerable population, and help to increase their levels of independence in all areas, including financial independence.

All of Camp K's programs encourage students to stretch their imaginations, learn practical life skills, maximize their potential for independence, and build healthy bodies, minds, and spirits. We teach students about setting goals and successfully meeting expectations.

Camp K is helping to shift the paradigm, by teaching people with disabilities that they can succeed, and make a meaningful contribution to the program they are a part of. Ultimately, these successful experiences will impact our entire community.

Camp K utilizes Therapeutic Recreation as the basis for our programs. We achieve positive outcomes through positive support. The two main theories that are used in the Kostopulos Dream Foundation's therapeutic recreation (TR) services are the Humanistic and Behaviorist approach. The Humanistic approach emphasizes the importance of personal choice, individual freedom and the right and responsibilities of individuals to be in control of their own lives.

At the beginning of each program (weekly for Summer Camp, or monthly for other programs), an intake process is completed with each student. During that process, our staff helps the student/caregiver set Goals and Objectives that will be focused on during the program. Some Goal examples are increasing concentration/attention span, increasing strength, increasing social skills, improving attitudes leading to a healthy lifestyle. Objectives then translate into specific actions that the student will take (with our staff's help) to achieve their goals and demonstrate that they have gained a new skill. Objectives are specific, measurable, and achievable. An example is: camper will introduce themselves to one new person each day, by maintaining eye contact, shaking their hand, and asking their name, as observed by staff."

Our staff documents each student's progress on the Camper evaluation form, indicating how well the student did overall, and specifically toward meeting their goals and objectives.

Kostopulos Dream Foundation has provided life-changing learning opportunities for people of all abilities for more than 50 years.

Our Leadership Team has extensive experience in working with our programs and people with disabilities. Our CEO has been involved in every aspect of our programs – from summer camp counselor, to operations, finances, and every aspect of the business – for 20 years. Our COO has also been directly involved with our programs for 14 years.

Specific program content is developed by our Program Staff, who are all Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialists. Our programs are updated continuously to ensure that we are providing the highest level of service to our students.

We work closely with Utah's Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) and other agencies to ensure that our policies and procedures are in line with current standards. We work closely with Utah's Division of Workforce Services for our Vocational Rehabilitation and Work Experience programs, to ensure that we are meeting pre-defined expectations for these programs. We are accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA), which ensures that we provide the highest standards of care, safety, and services for our campers. We are the only ACA accredited camp in Utah that serves people with disabilities.

Our students are referred to us through DSPD, Primary Children's Hospital, United Way, and other agencies, as well as referrals from friends/family members. Each new student is evaluated when they enter our programs, to ensure that our programs are a good fit for them, and to establish goals for them. Students make significant gains in self-esteem, social skills, recreation skills, and independence at Camp Kostopulos. Specific goals are set for each student and their family at the beginning of each program.

Camp K started with a dream. Dan Kostopulos, the founder of this incredible program. He is an example of a person who never gave up when faced with adversity. Life is a challenge and an opportunity - if you have the right attitude, then you will leave behind a legacy. Dan Kostopulos definitely left behind a legacy. Dan immigrated to the U.S.A in 1929. From the very beginning, he was oriented and focused on making a difference in his community. The mission and values that Dan built into the foundation of Camp K 50 years ago are still very alive today, they are set to prove that there are no boundaries to one's potential or abilities, and that nobody should be excluded or left behind.

Kostopulos Dream Foundaiton continue to fulfill Dan's dream - a dream for a better world, a more accepting , inclusive world, without barriers, where everyone is given a chance. During this time, all the dreams that our founding fathers had were originally generated by the hopes of children. Hopes for a better life, an independent life, a meaningful life. All those dreams were turned into goals, and our staff and supporters over the years have worked diligently to find solutions so that the goals are turned into reality.

We serve every year over 3,500 people with special needs and all abilities from all over the country and the world. At Camp K we believe that everyone "Can".

Some of the Highlights for Kostopulos Dream Foundation include (as of 2016):
• 4 consecutive 4-star Charity ratings from Charity Navigator
• 6 consecutive Safety 1st awards from Markel Insurance
• 30+ consecutive years accreditation from American Camp Association
• Mircea Divricean, Our President and CEO, was the 1st non-profit Executive to complete Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses program.

Our next steps are to continue strengthening our programs, by building strong partnerships within our community. We will continue to work closely with Utah's Division of Human Services, Division of Services for People with Disabilities, Division of Workforce Services, and many other great organizations within our community. We will ensure that we are able to continue improving the quality of life for people of ALL abilities for the next 50 years, and beyond.