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Arts and Creativity
Camp Cheerful
Region
North America
Program
Ohio
Project Year
2025
Three youth leaders from Garret Morgan High School in Ohio organized an inclusive day at Camp Cheerful for members of their school’s Project STIR club. Students participated in activities including horse grooming, fishing, painting, and outdoor recreation, creating opportunities to work together, try new experiences, and strengthen their sense of community.

About the Project

Project STIR, led by three high school students at Garret Morgan High School in Ohio, set out to promote inclusion through their local school club. To bring students together, youth leaders Jayden, Natalise, and Jaylean planned and implemented a day of fun, inclusive activities at Camp Cheerful.

Camp Cheerful is an outdoor day camp that offers a variety of activities, including opportunities to groom horses, go fishing, play on the playground, and participate in colorful painting activities. The students had the opportunity to try new activities, spend time outdoors, and enjoy the day together.

The Inspiration

The youth leaders were inspired to develop this project after seeing the positive impact their inclusive club had on their school community. Originally focused on planning a school-wide disability fair, they pivoted to bringing students to Camp Cheerful for a day of outdoor activities, new experiences, and meaningful inclusion.

The Project

The project brought members of Project STIR together at Camp Cheerful for a day focused on teamwork, participation, and inclusion. Students participated in a variety of activities, including grooming horses, fishing, painting, and exploring the camp's outdoor recreational spaces.
The activities provided opportunities for students to work together, try something new, and build connections in a fun and welcoming environment.

Project Impact

The project achieved its goals by creating a day of collaboration and community for members of Project STIR, a Unified club at Garret Morgan High School. The experience provided students with opportunities to participate in activities together, step outside of their comfort zones, and connect with members of their school and local community.

Looking ahead, Project STIR plans to continue promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for students to come together through shared experiences and activities.

Project Leaders Reflection

One of the youth leaders' favorite memories from the project was watching students who were initially apprehensive about being around horses gradually become more comfortable interacting with them. This experience was a meaningful example of how the camp encouraged students to step outside of their comfort zones and try something new.

The youth leaders were proud to create an experience where students could challenge themselves, participatei n activities they may not have experienced before, and enjoy time together in an inclusive environment.