Polio in 1924 Akron Rotary Camp 21st Century

Posted by JACK HARIG

It was the roaring twenties and anyone could do anything, cars, trains, money, speakeasy’s & dirigibles were the fashion. The world was alive for everyone; that is everyone except kids who were affected with one of history’s most dreaded diseases, polio, a disease dating back to ancient Egypt. In the 1920s, the polio virus crippled nearly 200,000 children annually causing various degrees of paralysis. Parent’s fear kept many children out of school, sports, and social activities. Families kept their kids at home, no swimming, no public gatherings, everyone was afraid. Anyone could get it! Anyone could be crippled for life and even die.

In 1924 two Akron, Ohio Rotarians saw the impact of Polio on families; they had a vision, a vision of kids being kids even when their bodies didn’t work right. Hez Simmons, a rubber chemistry professor at The University of Akron, and Walter Hoyt, a local orthopedic surgeon, knew the good that hydrotherapy and exercise could do for these crippled children. Akron Rotarians listened, they heard their message, Rotary made a commitment and held the first two week camp for crippled children on thePortage Lakes at a rented YMCA camp.

In 1926 the camp moved to its current location on Rex Lake seving children with Polio and other physical problems. Today, polio is no longer an issue, however the camp now serves children with a myriad of disabilities. For 86 years the Camp has been giving children with special needs opportunities to succeed and grow ever since.

In the early years, Rotarians from all over northeast Ohio supported the camp. Local clubs paid for children to attend summer camp. Rotary Anns cooked and provided much needed program supplies. Rotarians would pick up children from their homes and drop off at camp each week.

Today, Rotary Camp is an independent, non-profit 501C3 corporation, committed to helping children with disabilities and their families succeed, thrive, and reach their God given potential.

The “Camp” remains the primary service project of the Rotary Club of Akron and is operated by the Akron Area YMCA, the “Y” This partnership allows the “Camp” to have a dynamic impact on kids and their families. The Akron Rotary Foundation provides $110,000 of the $500,000.00 annual budget with the remaining funding coming from grants and fees. The Chili Open is Akron Rotary’s primary fund raiser which brings in about $100,000. Additionally the annual Rotary Poker Run takes place in August grosses over $22,000 for the camp.

What if the Four Way Test was used as every business model? At Rotary Camp the Four Way Test is a guide. Every time camp staff answer the telephone, work with a family, or form a new collaboration it is put to the test. By using the four Way Test camp has expanded the help that it provides families. Over the past ten years Rotarian Dan Reynolds, our camp executive, has been the guiding force to transform the “Camp” from not only a week of fun for the kids but also into a resource center for families in crisis. Over the years as the camp has expanded to serving children with a wide range of disabilities that include autism spectrum disorders, physical disabilities and mental illness, the families have asked camp staff to help them negotiate the “system”. This means helping them with school Independent Education Plans for their child as well as accompanying them on doctor’s appointments. The “camp” also provides support groups for parents and educational opportunities as well.

These are very exciting times for the Akron Rotary Camp. Rotary Camp serves five times the numbers of campers it served only six years ago. The Akron Rotary provided over $80k in financial assistance this year and no one is ever turned away for an inability to pay. The Rotary Club of Akron has embarked on a $3.5 million upgrade of The Akron Rotary Camp For Children With Special Needs. Since April 1^st the camp has received pledges from members of the Akron Rotary Club totaling over
$1.1 million. EPA hurdles not withstanding ground breaking for the new Bath House and one Lodge should be coming soon.

Your Help is Needed. Akron is reaching out to other Rotary Clubs, Rotary Districts, the community, foundations, large and small, who recognize the need to make a commitment to the vulnerable youth of our community. A fast moving 20 Minute Program on the history of the camp and it’s future is available for Rotary Clubs and other Community Service organizations. Invite us to make a presentation to your club by calling Rotarian Jack Harig at 330-644-9862 or E-mail JackTwinOaks@twinoaksoh.com You can also call the camp 330-644-4512 or E-mail our Development Director, Bonnie Wojno at 330-644-4512 Ext 3206, E-mail BonnieW@akronymca.org.

Jack Harig, PDG