MONKTON, Md. —At Camp Open Arms, what might make you physically stand out makes you fit right in.Children can have water balloon fights, go on hikes and make arts and crafts. However, there's one thing that sets it apart from other summer camps."It's like, really cool," said Abigail Larson, a 13-year-old camper. "(Before), I felt like an outsider — with no other person with a limb difference — until I found this camp."Abigail loves soaring through the air at C...
MONKTON, Md. —
At Camp Open Arms, what might make you physically stand out makes you fit right in.
Children can have water balloon fights, go on hikes and make arts and crafts. However, there's one thing that sets it apart from other summer camps.
"It's like, really cool," said Abigail Larson, a 13-year-old camper. "(Before), I felt like an outsider — with no other person with a limb difference — until I found this camp."
Abigail loves soaring through the air at Camp Open Arms. She loves knowing she belongs even more.
"I'm naturally left-handed. You already know why," said Jin Forester, another camper and an energetic comedian. "Of course I was born like this. Kaboom."
To Jin, Camp Open Arms is a place where you can be yourself.
"Campers can have quality time, good conversation knowing that they're in a safe place where they can relate to each other because they're a little different," Jin said.
Camp Open Arms is a place for children with limb differences — such as missing limbs, nerve damage, amputations or traumatic injury. The camp is owned and run by Dr. Joshua Abzug, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at the University of Maryland.
"As a physician, I know that I can't 'grow a hand,'" said Abzug. "And I wanted to give back to these children and their families by starting this camp."
Madelyn Bynion began attending the camp when she was 11 years old. Eight years later, she volunteers there.
"I just like being there and supporting and helping (the campers) in any way they need," Bynion said.
Having a buddy and someone to talk to helped Bynion as she grew up, so she wanted to give back.
"(I want people) to see that everybody’s kind of different. Just, learn how to accept people for that and not look down on them, just see them as an equal," said Bynion. "Maybe we do things differently, but we can always do the same thing. We're all a little different and unique."
More than 60 campers are attending Camp Open Arms this year — the largest turnout ever. The camp, which is free, lasts one week.