2024 Update
Camp dates this year will be from June 16th to the 22nd 2024.
Who We Are
Camp STAR is a full-week getaway that provides campers, age 8 through 18, with an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer Campground (near Zelienople, Pennsylvania).
Since 1976, Camp STAR has been committed to empowering and supporting youth amputees to keep healthy confident and stay active.
Camp STAR Campers are encouraged to make new friends, to help one another and share their experiences. We provide an environment where our campers feel free and comfortable to participate in sports, games, and various other activities without fear of embarrassment or criticism. We motivate our campers to challenge themselves and try new things.
Part of our mission is to also facilitate an environment where our campers can develop long lasting friendships with one another and their counselors to create a community of positive support and encouragement.
View the Camp STAR Brochure (PDF)
We have great counselors!
Campers also have the benefit of Camp STAR Counselors and Counselors-In-Training (CIT) as positive role models. Many of our counselors and CITs also have some type of limb loss and were even campers themselves. They can speak from their past experiences, hospitalizations, tests, surgeries and illnesses; and are proof positive that limb loss is just a challenge, not an end.
We have a lot of fun!
Camp STAR offer many activities, including:
- Arts and Crafts
- Air Rifles
- Zip Line
- High Ropes Course
- Campfires
- Canoeing
- Climbing/Rappelling Wall
- Fishing
- Hayrides
- Wheelchair Basketball/Rugby
- Disc Golf
- Angle Ball
- Field Games
- Swimming
All activities are supervised by Camp STAR and Camp Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer staff.
Campers learn new stuff!
Each day campers participate in an education time. They get an opportunity to learn new things in prosthetics, physical/recreation therapy, limb care, and more. It is a reciprocating conversation where campers are encouraged to ask questions regarding their prosthetics and about different ways to navigate through the everyday activities of life. We also incorporate times where campers can talk about school, friends, dealing with a physical limitation, navigating through daily life activities, and many other things that affect them as an amputee. Camp STAR counselors share their story about their amputations, what kind of procedures they have had, how they have learned to cope in various situations, and what they do outside of Camp STAR.
Register Today
For registration, please fill out the registration form and return to Cindy McCue, Camp Director, via mail to the Camp STAR address below or via email to cindymcq1@gmail.com. For questions regarding Camp STAR Cindy can also be reached by phone at 412-370-5481.
Visit the Camp STAR website.
Camp STAR
568 Waynesburg Road
Washington PA 15301
Cost
Thanks to the generosity of many donors, a $50 non-refundable registration fee is the only cost requested of each camper. No camper is ever turned away for financial reasons. Please request a fee waiver if needed.
In the News
Pittsburgh-area camp for young amputees enjoying success after restart
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (6/10/2013)
Amputees get chance to shine at Camp STAR
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (5/30/2011)
Camp STAR returns for teens with amputations
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (6/18/2008)
