Ninety disabled young people and their families enjoyed a week of horseback riding, rafting, a princess tea with Miss Nevada Woman and other adventures last week at Camp Attitude.

Located on 41 acres next to the South Santiam River about five miles east of Sweet Home, Camp Attitude pairs each disabled youth or “camper” with a volunteer buddy for the week.

It's not just the children who enjoy the camp. Parents get a break while their children are taking part in activities, said volunteer Dena West.

“I tell people it's an extraordinary opportunity for ordinary people to impact lives,” said West. “Camp Attitude takes away these guys' disability. It's magic.”

Ms. Nevada Woman Laura Rogers held a princess tea for the girl campers, all of whom received real tiaras donated by pageant winners.

“It's too bad there aren't more camps like this. It's a one-of-a-kind experience,” said Rogers, 35, who is a 1991 graduate of Lebanon High School. Her parents, Ron and Penny Edward, are camp volunteers.

Brian Westendorf, 19, volunteered to be a buddy three years ago when the youth minister at Dallas' Faith Free Evangelical Church challenged him to get involved. His buddy, Keith Ostergren, 23, of Oregon City, is confined to a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy.

“This is the highlight of my summer,” Westendorf said. “It's for them, but I enjoy doing it.”

Although he doesn't talk, Ostergren has no trouble communicating with Westendorf. In fact, at the beginning of the week he was a bit perturbed that Westendorf hadn't been able to attend camp last year. But the pair quickly struck up their friendship again. Ostergren was all grins listening to Westendorf relate how his wheelchair flipped over backward on a swing set modified for to wheelchairs.

The highlight for many of the campers was sliding down 100-foot zip line - a cable running down hill between two platforms - on specially made harnesses.

In addition to Ms. Nevada Woman, campers were treated to the company of another celebrity, Goliath the horse and former star of the television show Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.

Dominick Dutton of Roseburg rescued Goliath right before the big gelding was about to be sent to the rendering plant after he had foundered.  Goliath recovered after a year of care and now gives rides to campers at Camp Attitude along with his companion, Ms. B.

Camp Attitude was founded in 1999 by artist Ron Heagy Jr., who became a quadriplegic after a surfing accident his senior year in high school. Heagy left Camp Attitude in 2004 after a dispute over his use of funds. The Camp Attitude corporation purchased the camp from the Heagy Family Trust in 2004.

According to its mission statement, Camp Attitude's goal is to become the premier fully wheelchair accessible camping facility in the western United States. With campers coming as far as away as Santa Cruz, Calif. it might just already be there. The number of families attending this year is more than double from last summer.

“When you have a child with special needs, the amount of networking is huge,” said treasurer Louie Kazemier in explaining the increased number of campers.

Next year Camp Attitude hopes to hold two week-long camps.

“Our status looks very promising. A lot of people are invigorated by what's happening here,” Kazemier said, adding that the camp needs more volunteers.

To learn more about Camp Attitude call 367-3420 or visit their website at www.campattitude.com.