For 11-year-old Ethan, connection means everything.

Ethan lives with cerebral palsy and complex medical needs. He has undergone surgeries, receives ongoing treatments and therapies, and relies on others for daily care. His mother, Angela, describes him as a bright, social child who loves being around people and is very inquisitive.

“He loves school because he loves learning and meeting people,” Angela says. “He is a social person.”

But making connections isn’t always easy. Ethan attends a regular classroom where he learns alongside his peers with support. While he excels academically, physical limitations can sometimes make it difficult to join in the spontaneous games and activities other children enjoy.

“Sometimes he would come home looking sad as nobody wants to play with him,” says Angela. “Kids his age want to run around and play, and Ethan can’t do that.”

That is why Campfire Circle’s weekend at camp for complex care families became such a meaningful experience for them both.

When Ethan’s social worker first suggested the program, Angela was hesitant. Camp was completely new territory, and she worried about how her son would adjust away from his familiar routines. But as soon as they arrived, those concerns disappeared almost immediately.

“I was concerned as to how he would participate,” Angela says. “But Ethan did not for once ask about watching TV or going on his iPad, which he loves using. That’s how engaged he was.”

For the first time, Ethan was in an environment intentionally designed for children like him. Rather than being on the sidelines, he was able to fully engage in activities alongside other campers and volunteers who understood his needs.

He immersed himself in arts and crafts, proudly creating melty beads that he still talks about today. He sang songs around the campfire, danced with enthusiasm, and eagerly embraced new experiences.

“It was nice to see him in that circle,” Angela says. “Doing all the things he did, wanting to be adventurous and try new things. He just loved it.”

Perhaps the most powerful moment for Angela was watching her son gain confidence and independence.

“He literally told me to go find something to do because he wanted to hang out with the volunteers and kids,” she laughs. “I told him, ‘You’re trying to get rid of me!'”

For a child who often faces barriers to participation, Ethan was included in every aspect of the experience, not because accommodations were added as an afterthought, but because inclusivity was built into the program from the start.

Angela noticed that spirit everywhere she looked.

“You can tell when people are doing things from their heart and genuinely enjoy what they’re doing,” she says. “That’s what I see with everybody I’ve come to meet at Campfire Circle.”