Patricia Gillule at Lions Camp Badger: Offering Nearby Summer Camping for Differently Abled Adults

On the border between Tompkins and Tioga County a magical summer camp lies under deep snow on 150 acres awaiting summertime to come alive with campers.
For many adults with special needs, attending an accessible summer camp is very difficult to arrange. One would typically have to travel a very long way to find a camp that can offer traditional camp activities—swimming, archery, dancing, and  music to persons who are older and have differing abilities. 

The campers at Lions Camp Badger have a wide range of challenges, including autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, brain injury, emotional disabilities, and more. Their range of independent skills is as wide as their needs. Some campers need individual support with all tasks, while others are adults who live and work on their own. They all have one thing in common: They enjoy the social opportunities and enrichment that camp provides.

For 36 years Patricia Gillule has served as a special education teacher. Her love for camp first began as a teenager when she worked at various camps, until she stopped to raise her own five kids.  Seven years ago, Pat answered the call to come back and serve as director at the Lions Camp Badger in Spencer, New York.

“I feel very fortunate to spend my summers at Lions Camp Badger.  I get to see first-hand the positive impact that it has on both our campers and the people who work with them.  The opportunity to be in nature and make new friends in a supportive, fun environment is so beneficial and so much fun.  Everyone learns and everyone grows.  We focus on each individual’s strengths and talents.  It’s a uniquely special place.”

Lions Camp Badger offers both day and overnight programming for campers ages 6-60+. Most often, campers build the cost of camp into their self-direction budget, or they may be eligible for grants. Campers who live in group homes or group residences and those who live at home with their families each have different, often complicated funding streams. But Pat expresses no hesitation about wrestling through whatever barriers she and her team face to make camp available. “We serve as many people as we possibly can.” The camp still has openings in their 2023 programs and campers can register on the website.

Counselors this summer will bring an international flair to Spencer, as they hail from Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Morocco, and Turkey, in addition to the U.S. All counseling staff undergo an extensive screening process in their home countries, including security checks, interviews in English, and evaluations from previous employers and teachers.  Many are working toward a college degree or already work in their chosen profession. They arrive eager to work with campers and excited to learn from their summer experience.  Everyone benefits from the cultural exchange and sharing of ideas. Other key Camp staff include a facility manager, business manager, assistant director and medical director.

Lions Camp Badger is a project of the New York State and Bermuda Lions, who provide financial backing and volunteer assistance for the upkeep and programming.  Supporters from across the state and beyond also help meet the needs of the Camp.

Ithaca Lions Club Secretary Rich Shaff is one of those enthusiastic supporters. Rich: “The Camp is a special and magical place for the campers, parents, counselors, staff and volunteers. Lions Camp Badger board members, like Dr. Ted Bryant of Ithaca Lions Club, assist wherever needed.”  

Dr. Ted Bryant: “It’s truly an honor and a privilege to be entrusted, as a member of the Board, with the mission to ensure that Lions Camp Badger remains a place that creates life directing moments in the lives of our campers.  We hear again and again how the campers’ experiences have an impact for the rest of their years.  The Board and all of the exceptional staff are laser-focused on leveraging our resources. We maintain the foundation others before us created, while constantly updating and modernizing our facilities and programs.”  

“But we need your help. Without the financial support of our donors, we cannot make these moments happen.  Please consider visiting our website, where one can make a one time or recurring donation. Your gifts have a direct impact,” Dr. Bryant said.

For further information about Lions Camp Badger contact Patricia Gillule at.patgillule@gmail.com or 607-768-2386.

To volunteer at camp contact Cynthia Reuter at lionscampbadger@htva.net  or 607-589-4800.

Contributions to Lions Camp Badger can be sent through the website, www.lionscb.org or by mailing to:  Lions Camp Badger, 725 LaRue Rd. Spencer, NY  14883.