Kathy Calcaterra has been an active member of the Clarkston SCAMP Board of Directors since 1990. She is a faithful worker at the program’s fund-raisers and is a great cheerleader for the summer special needs program.
‘I don’t do that much,? is her humble protest. ‘The story is SCAMP.?
There’s a story behind Calcaterra’s involvement, however. Her daughter, Carmen, has special needs herself and began attending the SCAMP program when she was four years old.
Carmen is now 22, has graduated to working with others with special needs, and has a proud mom who sees the benefits of the program from both directions.
‘She’s the reason my family got involved in SCAMP,? Calcaterra said. ‘It’s so good for her self-esteem.?
Indeed, Calcaterra was recruited for the board because there was no parent representation at the time.
‘I’ve loved every minute of it,? she said.
As a board member, Calcaterra is part of the group who make it possible to hire certified teachers, bus drivers and other support employees (about 300 in total). SCAMP has five major fund-raisers (home tour, SCAMP Walk, ice cream social, golf outing and a run), all of which take place between May and August, so now is a busy time.
It’s a labor of love, however, as many people in the community respond when the call comes.
‘The support we get from this community is just phenomenal,? she said. ‘You make one comment [about a need] and you have 12 people answering.?
For the recently completed home tour fund-raiser, for example, about 150 volunteers are needed, but Calcaterra said there is never a problem finding those volunteers.
While she’s not on the actual SCAMP staff, she enjoys going to the Independence Elementary School campus (this year’s SCAMP location) just to be near the action and to see the joy on the children’s faces.
‘I just come and have fun. I just love being around here to feel the energy,? she said. ‘Everybody that’s here wants to be here. They’re a very special group of kids. That’s the magic of SCAMP.?
The five-week program (which this year is serving about 360 students) allows special needs children to enjoy a full gamut of summer activities, including camping, hiking, swimming, boating, art and music.
Calcaterra chokes up a bit as she describes what that experience means to the SCAMPers.
‘It’s a summer for these kids that they wouldn’t have otherwise. They’re surrounded by kids who accept them and they’re surrounded by staff who love them for who they are,? Calcaterra said.
It goes beyond the benefit to the participants, however.
‘The benefit a lot of people don’t understand, and you don’t unless you work it, is what everybody gets back from those kids,? she said. ?[Volunteers] want to give, but they don’t realize how much they’re going to give back.?
Indeed, it appears to be the SCAMPers who are ‘silently teaching,? she said.
‘These kids struggle to get through daily existence, and they’re a happy group of kids. These kids teach you constantly.?
Husband Mark and son Dominick have both learned that lesson. Calcaterra said her husband is a regular worker at fund-raisers, and her son is ‘a prime example? of someone who years ago fell in love with the students he thought would be the beneficiaries of his work.
It’s a great example of the SCAMP motto: ‘The greatest gift is love shared.?
In addition to helping with SCAMP fund-raisers, Calcaterra likes the occasional golf outing, although she doesn’t claim greatness in the sport.
‘When you have one good shot out of five, you feel the day’s worth it,? she said. ‘I just love getting out on a nice day with my husband.?
She really enjoys being a mom to Carmen and a homemaker, however, in addition to the work for SCAMP.
‘This is my extra-curricular activity,? she said.
Those interested in donating to or volunteering for SCAMP are encouraged to call (248) 620-1882.