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National MDA just confirmed that 18-21 year olds are officially welcome to stay in our camp family. This win belongs to every one of you who signed and kept the pressure on. Keep watching the program updates to ensure these promises are fully kept.

October 18, 2008

Please keep 18-21 year olds in MDA Camp Family

Please keep 18-21 year olds in MDA Camp Family

🏆 Won — 994 supporters Verified

Final supporters

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social b.
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green m.
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shaz
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Kelsie H.
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Timothy B.
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Chasity G.
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Stesha H.
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Ashley W.
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Valerie B.
+984 more
Started by Anonymous 18 years, 3 months ago
National MDA mailed a letter to all campers, also known as \"Jerry\'s Kids\" on April 21, 2008. The complete text of that letter can be read on the Facebook Group. In summary, it has been announced that after this year\'s summer Camp, 18-21 year olds will no longer be welcome at MDA Camp. The reason given is insurance costs. The cost is actually going to be much larger on a human scale. It is the campers in this age group who have grown the closest over the years. It is also this age group who are watching their age peers from school go off to college or jobs while they continue to be largely dependent on either parents or personal aides. Even the less physically involved campers have social and familial situations that are much more complicated than the average new \"adult\". Camp provides a week of fun, and camaraderie. More importantly, it allows these campers to graduate from the camp experience in a logical sequence. Younger campers also benefit from the wisdom of these campers. The experience shared by those in this age group lets these younger kids know that they will weather their storms with the laughter and tears, confident that this special week of camp will provide them the place to share all of the good and bad. Please, National MDA, listen to our combined voices. Tell us what we need to do to make this situation right.

Updates

August 10, 2008

We are approaching one thousand signatures but we cannot stop now. Post this petition link on your Facebook wall today. Text the link to three friends who need to know about this camp policy.

July 24, 2008

The momentum behind this effort proves that the camp family will not accept this policy change quietly. Post this petition on your Facebook page right now and tag the national office so they see how many people want these campers to stay.

Reached 100 supporters

April 28, 2008

6 Comments

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David Gray
18 years ago Featured

Absolutely terrible idea. Keep camp open for everyone!!!

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Sarah Afolabi
18 years ago Featured

This is so heartbreaking. That week is the only time of year my brother feels like a normal kid. Dont take that away from them just for money.

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Mike Jimenez
18 years ago Featured

Ridiculous decision. Insurance costs shouldn't come before the well being of these kids who have already been through enough.

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Emily Khan
18 years ago Featured

camp is literally the highlight of the year. please reconsider this. these kids deserve to grow up together.

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Jason Weber
18 years ago Featured

my son has been going for years and the older ones are like mentors to him. taking them out of the loop doesnt make any sense.

J
Jessica Holt
18 years ago Featured

so sad. they look forward to this all year long. i dont know what they will do without that support group.

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