MORE ABOUT US

History

Bournelyf Special Camp (pronounced “born-a-leaf”) was founded in 1980 as a service project of the Church of the Loving Shepherd, a congregation welcoming people of all religious backgrounds, and one of its congregants, Jim Scanlon. In 1989 the camp was incorporated as a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization with its own Board of Directors and by-laws, drawing parents and community members to the board in order to support the broadening of its programs and to expand the camp’s ability to serve the community.

​

Mission

The mission of the Camp is to develop participants’ abilities by helping them build confidence, improve social and communication skills, and become more physically fit through challenging, but achievable physical activities and by interaction with others.

​

Camp

Bournelyf Special Camp is the only summer day camp of its kind in Chester County, Pennsylvania, providing outdoor recreational activities for individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities ages 8 and up.  Bournelyf offers campers a beautiful site, with 20 acres of fields; a handicapped-accessible, Olympic-sized swimming pool; a nearby pond and woods; and indoor recreational space.

Three different summer day-camp programs are offered to individuals:

• Trailblazers - ages 8 to14 years

• Expedition - ages 15 to 22 years

• Alumni - ages 23 years and up

 

Monthly Events

In addition to summer camp, Bournelyf offers fun events open to all campers twice a month throughout the year.

​

Alumni Vacations

In addition to summer camp, there are 2 off-site, overnight vacations offered to Alumni.

​

​