Camp Circle Star Gives Campers With Disabilities a Place to Belong, Explore, and Grow
A camper-led program with Jefferson County ties is giving children and adults with disabilities room to play, build independence, and experience the joy of camp on their own terms.
Photo courtesy of Camp Circle Star.
A Place Built to Fill a Gap
For many families raising a child or adult child with disabilities, finding safe, meaningful recreation can be difficult.
Camp Circle Star was built to help fill that gap.
The camp serves children and adults with disabilities through summer day camps, Saturday “Fun Days” in the spring and fall, weekend overnight programs, and winter Fun Day programming hosted in Webster Groves. At its heart, the camp provides what many families are looking for but do not always know where to find: a safe place where their loved one can explore, play, build independence, and simply enjoy being a camper.
A Camp Inspired by Erin
For Renee Eickmeier, Camp Circle Star is deeply personal.
Nearly 28 years ago, Renee and her husband, Joe, welcomed their daughter Erin, who was born with Cri du Chat syndrome, a rare genetic syndrome that caused global developmental delays and ongoing support needs. When Erin was about seven years old, Renee tried to enroll her in a summer day camp. Erin was turned away because of her level of need.
That moment planted the seed for what would eventually become Camp Circle Star.
Renee, a speech therapist by trade, began organizing small camps and fundraisers. After years of effort, the family purchased Circle Star Ranch in 2012. In 2013, Camp Circle Star hosted its first summer of camp.
Since then, the program has continued to grow, but its philosophy has stayed clear. Camp Circle Star keeps its groups small, with most experiences limited to about 14 campers. Each camper receives one on one support from a volunteer buddy, with staff nearby to guide, assist, and help make each day successful.
A Camper-Led Day
The camp day is intentionally flexible.
Campers may swim, fish, ride a modified zip line, cook, make art, walk around the lake, play outside, or spend time in the camp house. Each week has a theme, but campers are not pushed through a rigid schedule. If someone wants to spend an hour in the sandbox, they can. If another camper wants to move from the swings to the art room to the pool, that works too.
The result is an experience shaped around the camper.
“It’s really camper led,” Renee explained during the interview. “Every camper’s experience is unique, and it’s really custom made to them by them.”
That flexibility matters because many children and adults with disabilities spend much of their lives in structured settings. Camp Circle Star gives them room to make choices, follow their interests, and enjoy the kind of recreation that many families take for granted.
Bradie Schall, Camp Circle Star’s development director, said that need is especially important because many campers do not have a lot of recreational options outside of school, therapy, or work programs.
Campers are encouraged to explore activities at their own pace, with support from volunteers and staff.
Photo courtesy of Camp Circle Star.
Respite for Families
The camp also provides something that is not always talked about enough: respite for families.
While campers are fishing, swimming, crafting, or spending time with their buddy, parents and caregivers are given time to rest, spend time with other children, attend a family activity, or simply take care of themselves. Renee said she has heard from parents who used that time to take a bath, attend another child’s basketball game, or do something they had not been able to do in a long time.
For many families, respite is not just a convenience. It is necessary.
Camp Circle Star’s overnight programs have become one of the strongest examples of that support. These camps give campers the chance to spend time away from home, often for the first time outside of a relative’s house. Renee said the growth that comes from those experiences can be powerful, both for campers and for parents learning that their child can be safe, supported, and successful away from home.
Those overnight programs also have a Jefferson County connection. Bradie noted that funding from Jefferson County Developmental Disability Advocates helped launch the weekend overnight program several years ago. That support later helped the camp expand partnerships and serve more families.
Weekend overnight programs give campers a chance to build independence while families receive meaningful respite.
Photo courtesy of Camp Circle Star.
Volunteers at the Center
Volunteers are central to the camp’s model.
Camp Circle Star accepts volunteers age 16 and older. No specialized background is required, only a willingness to help. Volunteers attend an orientation, then are paired with campers. Paid staff members, many of whom are teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, students, or people with direct disability experience, help volunteers understand each camper’s communication style, needs, and preferences.
In the summer, volunteers are asked to commit to one full week whenever possible. Renee said that consistency helps campers build a bond with their buddy. By the end of the week, many volunteers know exactly what their camper enjoys and how to support them.
Bradie said it can also be a great fit for high school and college students who need volunteer hours. A summer week can provide around 40 hours of service while giving volunteers a chance to spend time outdoors, play, and build meaningful relationships.
The camp typically needs 14 to 16 volunteers each week, depending on camper needs. Some campers may need two support people, especially if they require closer supervision for medical, behavioral, or safety reasons.
Camp Circle Star also partners with college programs, including occupational therapy assistant students and education students, who gain fieldwork experience while helping support campers.
Volunteers help campers participate in classic camp activities like fishing, swimming, art, and outdoor play.
Photo courtesy of Camp Circle Star.
How the Community Can Help
Right now, volunteers are one of the camp’s biggest needs, especially for the final weeks of July. The camp also goes through a large amount of supplies, including paper goods, snacks, and craft materials. Business partnerships are also welcome, whether through sponsorships, supply drives, fundraising events, or specific equipment needs.
Bradie said smaller businesses can make a major difference.
Camp Circle Star is not a massive organization. It is a specialized camp with a focused mission. That means support from local businesses, civic groups, churches, and community members can have an immediate impact.
For families interested in camp, enrollment for summer opens in January and fills quickly because of the camp’s small size. Camp Circle Star also offers some adult camp weeks for campers 18 and older, as well as weeks where campers may bring their own assistant at a reduced rate. Many families use funding sources such as Pony Bird respite funds in Jefferson County, Rec Council funding in St. Louis County, or other disability support resources.
Image courtesy of Camp Circle Star.
More information is available at campcirclestar.com.
A Simple Belief
For Renee, the mission goes back to a simple belief.
Everyone deserves support. Everyone deserves recreation. Everyone deserves a place where they can belong.
Camp Circle Star was built because one family saw a need and decided to do something about it. Today, that decision is giving campers with disabilities a place to explore, grow, make friends, and experience the joy of camp on their own terms.
Support Camp Circle Star
Image courtesy of Camp Circle Star.
Camp Circle Star gives children and adults with disabilities a safe place to play, grow, build independence, and experience the joy of camp.
Families, volunteers, businesses, churches, civic groups, and community members can all help keep that mission moving forward.
Website:
Visit Camp Circle Star Online
Volunteer:
Sign Up to Volunteer
Donate:
Make a Donation
Amazon Wish List:
Help Provide Camp Supplies
Contact Camp Circle Star
Phone: 314-667-4766
Email: [email protected]
Mailing Address:
PO BOX 711
BALLWIN MO 63011
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