Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022, Dyberry Day Camp welcomed 29 campers this summer, celebrating the life and potential of children and young adults with special developmental needs.
For that half-century, generations of youth with disabilities have been given the chance to have a fun time filled with crafts, singing, swimming, games, field trips, learning something new, socializing and building on their unique strengths five days a week. Advisors and Directors through these five decades of compassion, understanding and a desire to give themselves and supported by a generous community have made this possible.
Dyberry Day Camp is held for 20 days each July and is hosted by Arc of Wayne County.
Visiting the camp on July 15 for this story, campers (aged 6 to 21) gathered in a circle to sing songs, gathered under the gazebo to paint rocks green, planted fun “cactus plants.” “ to be played on the sand, on the swings and the slide ; played ball and met for lunch. Soon they would be heading down to Honesdale Borough Pool for a refreshing dip.
One of the campers, Freedom Beckwith, 17, from Equinunk, shared what he likes about Dyberry Day Camp: “I like to ride my bike. I like going to the pool. I like to walk in the sand. I like color.”
Of interest:More than 100 runners take part in the 36th Annual Perkins Run in Dyberry Township
‘piece of heaven’
“It’s a little piece of heaven here,” said Bette Ann Baerenklau, camp manager. Baerenklau, a retired Wayne Highlands School District special education teacher, started at the camp around 1987 and co-directs the camp with Glady Goehringer.
“I see so much potential in what our campers can do, what they earn and what they are entitled to,” said Bärenklau. “They deserve to be able to do whatever all the other kids do in the summer. That’s why a certified handicap accessible playground was my dream. They deserve to be able to sit in a swing and rock like any other child. You deserve to be able to make arts and crafts with someone’s help. They deserve to be able to get on a bike – they need help to do that.”
“And I do it because I like to see them smile and laugh,” she continued.
The campers are developing long-term employees with other campers and employees, Bärenklau said.
“It’s not a school. Our goal is to provide a fun, leisurely month for our special needs population,” she said. “We offer them experiences that they might not otherwise have.” Basic manners, social and listening skills are taught.
The rustic grounds for the camp north of the County Fairgrounds are owned by Michael O’Day, who allows Arc to use the land for the month of July.
Operated by Arc of Wayne County
Arc of Wayne County is a non-profit organization affiliated with National Arc. “Arc” stands for “Advocacy & Resources for Citizens” and is subtitled “with cognitive, intellectual and developmental disabilities”. The organization serves a wide spectrum of individuals.
The Arc is the largest advocacy group in the United States for people with a variety of diagnoses, including autism, Down Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Arc was created by parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were committed to changing the negative perceptions society holds of their children.
Kathy Highhouse, who has been on Arc of Wayne County’s board of directors almost since its inception, said the group was formed around 1969. Dyberry Day Camp was formed separately in 1972 and was in need of a sponsorship organization. She said Arc assumed that role in 1973, the same year that the annual Arc Bike-Hike fundraiser began.
Wayne County Director of Special Education John Tobey donated $6,000 to help start the camp.
Highhouse said she and Charles Bertram, another Wayne Highlands special education teacher, started the camp. Bertram was director for several years.
According to Highhouse, the camp has always been at this location on Dyberry Creek. They started with 16 campers and met under a tarpaulin. They swam and fished in the creek, went blueberry picking and visited the former Scranton Zoo. She said she used to cook lunch for everyone.
Funding and community support for the Dyberry Daycamp
The community has helped in many ways over the years.
The playground was an Eagle Scout project. Honesdale Jaycees built their first pavilion. Her current pavilion was a senior project. Human Resources Center, Inc. donated a van to go to the pool and field trips years ago. Bowling for Autism this year provided money for several locker rooms for campers who go swimming. The Texas No. 4 Fire Company erected fences.
Administrators from the three school districts in Wayne County enjoy visiting them every year. Wallenpaupack stewards bring McDonald’s lunch. Wayne Highlands comes over with pizza. Administrative visits from Western Wayne with lunch from Wendy’s.
The Pennsylvania State Police stopped by and held a safety talk. Smokey the Bear stopped by. The campers went to the movies in Callicoon and had a fun day at the Carousel in Beach Lake.
While it’s estimated to cost $1,200 per camper, there’s no cost to the family, Bärenklau said.
Arc provides tuition and transportation. Families only have to provide their campers with lunch and drinks.
Before COVID, the total cost of running the camp was approximately $64,000. This year there are fewer campers but the costs are higher.
All of this is funded through fundraising and donations from organizations and individuals.
Their biggest fundraiser is the bike hike, which has taken place every spring since 1973. Over $18,500 was raised this spring through the efforts of Wayne Highlands students who bike-hiked with two events in Damascus and Honesdale, and Wallenpaupack students who raised money at their Color Run event /Inclusion Week” and at a concession stand at an athletics meet.
Over $7,000 was pledged in Honesdale and $4,400 in Damascus. Color Run/Inclusion Week activities raised over $7,100. These districts have been there from the start.
Impact of COVID on Dyberry Day Camp
In the past Dyberry has had as many as 60 to 65 campers and many parents have been sending their children back year after year. In 2019 they had 58 campers.
Then COVID-19 struck.
During the peak of the pandemic in 2020 and again in 2021, the camp was cancelled. Instead, Arc of Wayne County connected with their kids and brought home “Goody Bags of Joy” to every camper.
“We have a vulnerable population here,” said Virginia Motsko, Arc of Wayne County President.
Water must be brought with you as there is no running water in the camp. It is difficult to comply with social distancing requirements, Motsko added.
They have hired about 20 counselors this year to provide assistance. Before COVID they had about 40. They try to have about a one to one ratio with the campers.
People who worked at the camp later found careers in human services, and Dyberry is proud of them, Baerenklau said.
Motsko said that when planning how to resume camp post-pandemic, they made a rule that campers must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Baerenklau said they consulted with their legal counsel and Wayne Memorial Hospital.
The 2022 camp season opened with 29 campers.
Bärenklau said she sent 60 letters to families inviting them back, but only about half agreed.
“It’s like a fresh start.” said skyscraper.
For more information about the ARC of Wayne County or Dyberry Day Camp, visit thearcwaynecounty.org.
