CAMP REYKJADALUR

 

Reykjadalur is a summer and winter camp for children and youngsters with mental or physical disabilities aged 6-25, run by The Benefit Society of Children with Disabilities.

The aim of Reykjadalur is to enrich the lives of those that stay there as well as giving their families a chance to relax a little. Every child disabled or not needs to have friends, to be in touch with nature, to smile, to laugh, to experience adventures and the feeling of having accomplished something.

Approximately 200 mentally or physically challenged children from all over Iceland come to Reykjadalur every year. The camp was established by The Benefit Society in 1963 and will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. There have been a lot of changes through the years, but the aim has always been to try to make it a better place for the children. During the summertime the children can stay for 1-3 weeks and weekends during the wintertime. Each child needs a lot of attention and help and the cost is severe, but the pleasure it brings each child, the fulfillment of having friends, being in touch with nature and of experiencing adventures is immeasurable.

Reykjadalur receives donations from the Ministry of health and Social Security and the Ministry of Social Affairs. Parents and guardians also pay for the stay at summer camp; the cost is the same as for children in regular summer camps. Nonetheless, Reykjadalur could not offer it’s current services if the BSFCD's did not provide substantial funding from its yearly telephone lottery and generous gifts from supporters.  

---