Tom
Ingoldsby, Director, is the father of a disabled son and
has been involved in programs supporting the mentally retarded
for many years. Tom manages the camp but during the summer
is as likely to be found on the beach with the campers or
having a meal at one of the houses as at his desk in the camp
office. As a student, he was a counselor at the Kennedy Institute
summer camp for the mentally retarded.
Tom has
coached Special Olympics soccer and basketball teams for over
ten years. His team started as five youths who for various
reasons were unable to be accommodated on an existing team
and has grown to eighteen athletes making up two teams each
season. Like Camp Atlantic, the priorities on Tom's teams
are age appropriate behavior on and off the field, maximizing
individual potential and then winning. The athletes have a
broad range of athletic ability and social development. Through
their interaction on the field and in team sponsored events,
they have become a group of friends who interact with each
other and who enjoy each other's company. The group dynamics
of the Special Olympics teams are very similar to the sense
of belonging and friendship that Camp Atlantic generates.
Tom is
also a lawyer. He is a graduate of Brown University and Duke
University Law School.
Group
leaders live with the campers in the beach houses and
are their companions in their daily activities. The group
leaders are instrumental in creating the "house spirit"
and organize most of the events that occur within the house
such as game nights and special desserts. They also create
the structure necessary for the house to function effectively
and assign and monitor household chores.
Prior
to the start of each season, the group leaders receive 40
hours of training including a First Aid course. Most of the
group leaders have been working with persons with disabilities
or are studying for careers in education, medical rehabilitation
or social support services.
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