‘Every Child Deserves This Magic!’: How One Mom Turned Heartbreak Into a Dream Summer Camp
Inspired by her son, one mom created a camp where kids with special needs truly belong
Key Takeaways
- Valerie Hund co-founded the Exceptional Needs Network in 2000 to help special-needs kids.
- Camp Arroyo has welcomed over 1,000 campers with autism, Down syndrome and other conditions.
- Valerie continues her mission as board president to honor her late son Grayson's memory.
Inspired by her son, Grayson, who had autism, Valerie Hund joined forces with other moms to launch the Exceptional Needs Network and create an annual camp where children with unique needs can experience friendship, adventure and the joy of summer. Here, she shares her story with Woman’s World.
“Hello! Welcome, everyone!” Valerie Hund called and waved to friends new and old. It was the first day of camp — her favorite day of the year.
When Valerie’s son, Grayson, was diagnosed with autism at just 2 years old in 1996, support resources were scarce — it was years before Facebook, online communities or easily accessible networks existed. For a long time, Valerie didn’t know a single other mom raising a child with special needs.
But that changed when Valerie enrolled her son in a local resource center. Through Grayson’s caseworker, she met two other moms, Susan Houghton and Peggy James, who were also navigating the world of special-needs parenting.
The three women bonded instantly, supporting one another and sharing their fears, victories and late-night worries only they could understand.
A mother’s mission
As the summer of 2000 approached, Valerie began to wonder, What can our kids do that’s fun this summer?
For many children, the highlight of summer is getting together with friends and having fun at camp. But this wasn’t an option for their kids — they required specialized attention and equipment.
“What if we started a camp just for special-needs kids?” Valerie asked Susan and Peggy, and the women thought it was a great idea.
With the help of Valerie’s longtime friend, Kirsten Sprott, the moms started the Exceptional Needs Network and immediately began fundraising.
Their search for a facility to host the camp led them to the Taylor Family Foundation, which was in the process of opening Camp Arroyo in Livermore, California. The foundation offered scholarships to worthy organizations, and ENN was the first to be accepted.
Soon, Valerie and the other moms were spreading the word and gathering the first group of excited campers.
Camp dreams come true
In July 2001, a dozen happy campers with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities gathered at Camp Arroyo. Each child had their own camp counselor to keep them safe and make sure they had the time of their lives.
As word of Camp Arroyo spread, the foundation had to hold a lottery and limit attendance to 45 campers so each child got the attention they needed.
“It’s truly become a magical place,” says Anna Tague, whose daughter, Nicole, has a genetic disorder. “She loves seeing old friends, and her favorite activity is the bouncy house.”
Ruth Carpizo, who suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was 3, was frightened when she and her mom, Emily, reached the camp.
“I was a nervous wreck,” Emily says. “Until her counselor texted me a photo of Ruth smiling with a kangaroo at the camp’s petting zoo.”
Valerie’s son, Grayson, loved every year at camp until, at age 16, he tragically passed from a seizure disorder.
Today, Valerie is still devoted to Camp Arroyo and serves as board president of the ENN. Over the years the organization has welcomed more than 1,000 campers ages 6 to 22.
“I do it all to honor Grayson’s memory,” she says. “I couldn’t possibly walk away from all the wonderful friends I’ve made along the way — especially the kids. Every child, no matter their abilities, deserves to experience the magic of summer fun!”
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