When it comes to summer fun, Camp Circle Star wants to make sure everyone has access to recreation.
Joe and Renee Eickmeier know firsthand what it feels like to be told a child doesn’t belong. The Eickmeiers’ daughter, Erin, was born with Cri du Chat Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that can cause severe cognitive, speech and motor disabilities.
When Erin was about 7 years old, Renee tried to enroll her in a summer day camp but was told that Erin’s needs were too great for the camp to accommodate.
Joe and Renee Eickmeier with Erin.
The Eickmeiers founded the Erin Eickmeier Foundation, now known as Camp Circle Star, and started fundraising to create a camp for children with special needs without restrictions.
Renee is a speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of experience working with children with developmental disabilities. Both her personal and professional experience led to her wanting to provide entertainment options for children who may not have many other recreational opportunities.
The family purchased the Circle Star Ranch in 2012, hosted its first summer camp the following year in 2013 and has been operating every summer since.
The camp
Camp Circle Star is a non-profit organization that provides a one-of-a-kind camp experience for individuals with developmental disabilities. Each camper’s experience is intended to be unique and best suited to his or her individual needs and desires.
The primary location for Camp Circle Star is the Circle Star Ranch at 8895 Hillsboro Road in Valles Mines, where weeklong summer day camps, overnight camps and Saturday Fun Days are held.
Winter break day camps are held in December at a satellite location in Webster Groves.
The Circle Star Ranch is located on 22 acres and includes a lake, a swimming pool, hiking trails, a playground and a 4,000-square-foot camp house.
Bradie Schall, development director for Camp Circle Star, said camp attendance is limited to 14 campers per session, so it does not become overwhelming for the campers.
“Each camper is assigned a dedicated support person, usually one of our more than 250 volunteers. Given the developmental and social-emotional needs of the campers we serve, we know that a smaller camp size is best,” Schall said.
Camp Circle Star gives one-on-one support to all campers so each individual may explore and enjoy camp activities on his or her own terms. The camp lets each camper pick his or her own daily activities from a variety of different choices.
Schall said most campers prefer individual activities over large group activities, so individual activities are mainly what are offered.
Some of the options for campers include a zip line, a spinning chair, swings, a trampoline, a playground, a music garden, hiking, swimming, fishing, arts and crafts, and more.
Schall said the camps are popular, and to ensure as many campers as possible are able to experience Camp Circle Star, typically each camper is assigned just one week of summer camp.
“There are some repeat campers for both our Saturday Fun Days and our overnight camps, space permitting,” she said.
Schall said the program is able to serve more than 300 campers annually across all their programs.
The camp is run by paid staff members, many of whom are teachers, therapists or people with disability experience, but also by volunteers. Schall said the camp is able to achieve the one-on-one support for each camper through the help of more than 250 high school and college-aged volunteers who support the campers.
She said overall, more than 300 people help keep Camp Circle Star running.
Camp Circle Star is looking for volunteers who are at least 16 years old and should be comfortable with swimming, running, jumping and be able to keep up with active campers. Training and support will be provided.
Volunteer opportunities include both one-day and full-week commitments. There are also opportunities to work “behind the scenes” at the camp.
“During Summer Camp, we ask that volunteers commit to the whole week, Monday through Friday,” Shall said. “They stay with their assigned camper the whole week, which really helps form an amazing bond between volunteer and camper. Saturday Fun Days and Winter Break Camps are less of a commitment, an eight-hour day.”
Schall said fundraising is critical to funding Camp Circle Star’s programming, with the group holding two yearly fundraising events, a trivia night in the fall and a mouse race event in the spring. Camp Circle Star held its 23rd annual mouse race event April 18 at the Redbird Club at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
“We had a terrific event, with over 300 participating,” Schall said. “It was quite successful. Funds from our events go directly to camp programming. As is everywhere, materials, transportation costs and groceries have skyrocketed in recent years. Staffing costs are also increasing, as we only hire staff with extensive experience.”
For those who want to get involved, Schall said there are many ways to help Camp Circle Star’s mission.
Monetary support can be given at their two fundraising events; by holding third-party fundraisers, like golf tournaments and 5k races; or by making a donation on their website.
Camp Circle Star also holds a supply drive twice a year, in both May and October, as well as accepting donations throughout the year.
Requested items include various snacks, drinks, crafts items, balloons, pool items, toys, cleaning supplies, paper goods, batteries, sunscreen, bug spray, baby wipes and more.
“Supplies are critical for us. It is a huge expense that we try to offset as much as possible,” Schall said. “We also have found great success with supply drives sponsored by local businesses, foundations and civic organizations.
“Everyone from Bunco groups to book clubs have organized supply drives for us.”
Both their Amazon wishlist and supply drive wish list can be found on Camp Circle Star’s website.
To find information about ways to volunteer or donate, visit campcirclestar.com. Caregivers interested in sending a camper to Camp Circle Star can email renee@campcirclestar.com to be placed on the email list to receive information on signup dates for all of Camp Circle Star’s camps.
Space is limited and events often fill ahead of time.