“When I think of Camp Howe I think of love, friendships and happiness.  People may say “don’t you miss your family while you’re there?” When they ask me that, I don’t even have to think of the answer.  I say, “My family is right here.” When you go to Camp Howe, it’s like you have another family.  Everyone there is so nice and caring. There is no other place on earth like Camp Howe! If I never went to Howe, I would never of learned to climb a rock wall, shoot a bow and arrow, get over fears etc. Camp Howe lets you be who you are its not like school, because at school you try and fit in, but at Camp Howe you don’t have to try to be something you’re not.  People will accept you for whoever you are. I can’t wait until I’m able to be a counselor at Camp Howe and help so many different kinds of people and make so many new friends.  It’s only 4 more years and I can’t wait!  Camper

"It is with much emotion that I am writing this letter. My son Alex was a 2^nd year camper this year. To say he had a fantastic time is an extreme understatement. For two weeks a year he does not have down syndrome, wear hearing aides, or have difficulty with his speech. He is simply a camper at Camp Howe. He is accepted for who he is and is given the same opportunities as the other campers. Camp Howe is truly a camp for all youth.  How is a good camp made? How does a camp become great? When is a camp more than a camp. . . but a cherished and loved place where all feel welcome and accepted? These are questions I need not ask any more. All I must do is talk with any staff member at Camp Howe and experience the bonding amongst staff and campers alike and my questions are answered. It is very difficult to entrust your child to the care of “strangers” but the staff helped me to understand that Camp Howe was the right place for Alex. They were so very right!" Parent of an Echo Camper

“My daughter is a changed girl since returning from camp. She is more responsible, appreciative, respectful and mature. I keep waiting for the honeymoon period to end but each day that passes seems like she is more in control and organized. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the time and energy you put into making Camp Howe a positive experience for the campers. We are already counting down the days until next summer.” Parent of a Junior Camper

“ My husband and I have been taking a long hard look at all the people and organizations that have contributed to the lives of are two sons. As you know our sons have Autism and have been attending summer camp at Camp Howe for many years. In all those years, and all those people, no one person or organization, has made such a profound impact on their (and our) lives, than Camp Howe. The Echo Program is one in a million. I’ve always felt comfortable leaving the boys.  The care they have received has always been wonderful. The things they have learned, the people they have met, and the feeling of belonging somewhere just the way they are, is more than a dream come true for us. One of my sons told me a couple of days ago that Camp Howe taught him that being “cool” was just being yourself!!! Wow :) I believe that the combination of typical kids and kids with various types of disabilities is a wonderful way for all kids to learn to accept everyone, for who there are. When you take the mystery away from a disability you are left with the person, and that is where Camp Howe comes in. Camp Howe helps the kids feel equal and that they belong. I just wanted to make sure you knew what an impact all your hard work really has on the people you touch everyday!” Parents of two Echo Campers

The five weeks that I spent at Camp Howe during this past summer most definitely changed my life. I am still not exactly certain how, but I know that it greatly affected who I am today and who I will be in the future. To tell the truth, last spring I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a CIT and then go on to be a counselor, but with the experience that I had at camp this summer, I am without question applying to work there next summer. I know that it would be sacrificing most of my last summer after high school, but it has had such a great influence and impact on me that I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t go back. Camper - Counselor in Training

“The best part of camp was meeting people. I made some of my greatest friends at Camp Howe. Going to Camp Howe was the first time I was ever away from my family. From the first summer I loved it. This was the first feeling of independence that I had. Being a counselor and working with children was wonderful and made me realize that I wanted work with families when I entered the workforce. I have three daughters and plan to send them to Camp Howe when they are old enough." Alumni

“Camp Howe is a home away from home. Everyone looks out for one another, no matter what. The counselors are the best of the best. They are extremely nice and they are always there for you! Not to mention how cool they are. Everyone is supportive like a community. Camp Howe really is a camp for all youth. It changes you in one way or another.” Teen Camper

"It is an amazing place that lets you be who you are and everyone accepts you for who you are. It is a place where it has such an impact on your life that its hard to put into words. I cant express how much camp means to me, it has helped me find me and confirm who I am as a person, which I could not be happier about." Staff Member

“Many thanks again for the generosity of a campership. My daughter had a blast. She counted down the days all summer to the day she went to camp. She was so excited. She said she had an even better time this year than last which is outstanding considering last year she loved it. I enjoy seeing her so happy. Thank you” Parent

 “The entire experience of being on staff changed my life. I've realized what a difference I can make in the lives of children, and I know that it's what I want to do for the rest of my life.  Nowhere else will you find a place where everyone is accepted, regardless of their disability, culture and differences. Seeing kids crying because they don't want to leave shows what a huge impact we've had on them. Camp Howe has made me the person that I am today, and my entire summer was an experience that has changed my life.”  Alumni

“My son went to Camp Howe a quiet teenager enrolled in the CIT program.  He did not know what to expect but returned home with a new sense of adventure, confidence and willingness to try new things!  All the camp counselors were awesome and made a huge impact on him.  Their attentiveness and positive attitude will stay with him for a very long time.  Every weekend there were new stories, events, songs and just good times to be told at the dinner table. 

All this could not happen without the support of the administrators, board of directors and mostly the dedicated staff at Camp Howe.  I would like to thank you all for the great summer of experiences my son had at your camp.  Not all learning is done in a classroom from September to June, knowledge about life and mostly about yourself is best learned outside the confines of four walls and Camp Howe accomplished this in a way that was fun!”  Parent of a Counselor in Training Camper

“The worse part of Camp Howe is leaving and saying good-bye you become so attached to everyone.  No matter how long you go to camp every year when I have to leave I cry my eyes out.  It’s like your leaving your family. When you go to Camp Howe you will never forget the counselors or the camp!” Camper

“I wanted to let you know how much the experience last summer changed my daughter.  When I picked her up at the end of the week, I could see the change immediately. She was animated and proud of herself as she told me about her climb to the top of the wall. When I watched her perform at the closing ceremony I nearly cried. Over the next few weeks at home, she showed improved self-confidence and independence.  I hope you will share my comments and my thanks with your wonderful staff. I want them all to know how much I appreciate their efforts.” Parent

“Attending Camp Howe was such a dramatic and life changing experience that I can’t say how my life would be different had I hnot been to Howe. Many of the people that I meet even today relate to me as a fellow Camp Howe Alumni and that gives us a bond greater than country or community. I will never forget the time I spent there.” Alumni

“Over the weekend I was reminded again of how much my daughter enjoyed Camp Howe and I wanted to take some time to tell you how great your camp is!  She is still talking about it and wants to go to Camp Howe longer next year! When we picked her up from camp she even asked if she could stay another week or come back this summer!  It was great to hear the happiness and joy in her voice as she told us all about camp.  And the smile that has lasted for weeks is priceless.  If she is sad, all we have to do is talk about her week at camp and she is instantly cheered up.  I wish the whole world was made up of 4-H kids.  They're awesome people and it makes me happy knowing  that these young folks will be our country's leaders.  The staff was outstanding too!  They went beyond every expectation I had and I am so thankful to them for giving her happy memories of camp!   My daughter, the one that would only do arts and crafts, was telling me about flag football!  She told me she didn't have time to go in the Arts and Crafts cabin, because she was having to much fun!  My daughter, who's afraid of the dark was out hiking through the darkness and jumping in the lake with all her clothes on!  My daughter, who never sleeps over friends houses wants to go to Camp Howe for the entire summer.  It's unbelievable.  If I didn't hear it first hand, I would never believe it.  I could go on and on forever about Camp Howe so if you need a reference, please don't hesitate to call me. Thank you so much..... for everything!”  Parent

“The camp's staff was amazing. They have left a great impression not just on my daughter, but me as well. She wants to go back next year, for two weeks this time.” Parent of a Junior Camper

“I wanted to thank you and your staff for doing such an excellent job with our girls.  They had a marvelous experience while at camp and it is obvious that they learned some new independence skills.  They are already making requests to go again next year for two weeks instead of one!  Thanks again.  It looks like we will see you next year.” Parent of two Junior Campers

“We are extremely grateful that Camp Howe exists and has been the trail blazer in allowing kids with significant special needs to experience the joys of an integrated camping experience.  We know that not only has our son gained so much from his experience at Camp Howe, but we know that many other lives have been touched by the opportunity to spend five days at camp with him.” Campers of Echo Camper

“Camp Howe showed me that life didn’t exist soley in New York and prepared me for a lifetime of accepting new experiences.” Alumni