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Special camp needs funds fast

NEW PORT RICHEY - Summer break is just around the corner, and Barry and Paula Cohen already are fielding phone calls from parents who want to sign their kids up for PACK camp.

"I don't know what to tell them," Mrs. Cohen said Wednesday. "Just that we're still waiting to get the word from Tallahassee."

For six years, the Cohens provided a summer camp for children with mental and physical disabilities through the nonprofit Pasco Association for Challenged Kids Inc. The camp was free, save for a $30 registration fee. Funding chiefly came from the state. Local businesses also chipped in.

But with the current budget crisis, said Mrs. Cohen, "It doesn't look promising. We might not get any funding this year."

That's why PACK is sponsoring a fundraising bowl-a-thon on Saturday at Lane-Glo Bowling in New Port Richey. Those who want to support the camp are welcome to come and bowl, make contributions or enter their names in a raffle for prizes donated by local businesses.

The Cohens hope the event will make a dent in the funding needed to run the camp.

Starting PACK camp grew out of necessity for the Cohens. Their son Gregory, now 15, is autistic. During the school year and during summer school, Gregory had a place to go while his parents worked. But in the weeks in between, when schools were closed, there was no place for Gregory.

The Cohens tried traditional summer camp programs, but nothing worked.

"There were a lot of nice people willing to try," Mr. Cohen said. "But unless you're used to working with special needs kids, it can be difficult. "

By creating PACK, the Cohens were able to tailor a summer camp to meet Gregory's needs, as well as those of other children who attended.

The Cohens hire school paraprofessionals who have experience working with special needs children.

It's an expensive venture.

Last year PACK received $37,500 from the state, a cut from the $50,000 received in previous years. Most of that funding goes to staffing, Mr. Cohen said.

"We had 33 campers and 18 staffers, including a registered nurse," he said. A donation is also made to the CARES Claude Pepper Senior Center in New Port Richey, where the camp is housed. The camp also must pay for liability insurance.

Campers participate in a variety of activities, from arts and crafts to horseback riding. cians, clowns and members of the New Port Richey Fire Department have also put in appearances.

"PACK camp is wonderful. It fills a big void," said Oma Pantridge, supervisor of exceptional student education for the Pasco County school district.

The extended school year program, which in the past served many special needs children during the summer months, has been cut this year, Pantridge said. This year, the extended school year program will run for 10 days in June and is limited to only those special needs students who will experience a severe regression if they do not attend, said Pantridge.

In the past, PACK has run for three weeks in the summer, and this year, organizers were hoping to expand. The camp is a needed service for those who have few options when it comes to finding care for their kids during the summer, said state Sen. Mike Fasano. He and state Rep. Heather Fiorentino hope to get funding for the camp approved during this special session. "I'm doing my best," said Fasano, who, like Fiorentino, is a Republican from New Port Richey. "Every year, we have been successful in getting dollars (for the camp). As you know it's a very tight budget year. We have to go over a few more hurdles this time, so it's a little more difficult to secure those dollars."

The Cohens say they are realistic, but also hopeful.

"I just can't imagine not being able to do this," said Mrs. Cohen. "So many kids love going to this camp. They have such a good time."

The PACK Bowl-a-thon will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Lane-Glo Bowling, 8631 Old CR 54, New Port Richey. The cost is $10 per bowler. Those who want to contribute can mail checks to PACK, 5355 Casa Nueva Drive, New Port Richey, FL, 34655. For information on the camp, call Paula or Barry Cohen at (727) 372-9516.