Campers and student volunteers take a snack break in front of the Giant Wheel during Camp Wildcat’s visit to Cedar Point. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

By SHERI TRUSTY

A principal’s vision of a unique camp for Woodmore students has been supported by the Woodville and Elmore communities for the past five years, and this year, Camp Wildcat was bigger and better than ever.

Camp Wildcat is a weeklong day camp for any Woodmore Middle School or Elementary School student on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), which is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child with an identified disability who is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services.

The camp was created by Woodmore Middle School Principal Kevin Ball to give the IEP students a special experience all their own.

Middle School Principal Kevin Ball got a little drenched after descending Snake River Falls. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)Since its inception, Camp Wildcat has been supported in funds and volunteer labor by staff, students, local residents and community businesses. This year the camp, which ran July 25-29, was sponsored by Martin Marietta, GenoaBank, Woodmore Athletic Boosters and Materion. The generous donations allowed the students to visit the Woodville Pool, Imagination Station, the Toledo Zoo, and Side Cut Metropark, a part of the Toledo Metroparks where the kids canoed, shot bows and arrows, and took nature walks. This year, additional funding from Materion made it possible for the camp to make its first ever visit to Cedar Point.

Woodmore Middle School Principal Kevin Ball’s vision of a unique summer camp for his students has grown bigger and better every year. This year, Camp Wildcat made its first ever visit to Cedar Point. Shown are back row, left to right, student volunteer Bryce Brzeczek, Kevin Ball, and student volunteer Carson Szakovits. In the front row are campers David Bailey, left, and Cole Bailey. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“The reason we were able to go to Cedar Point this year was because of Materion. They gave a larger amount than in the past,” Ball said. “I am thankful to all our sponsors.”

Ball was also grateful for the many student volunteers who assisted with the camp, including Woodmore sophomore Chase Potridge, who also volunteered at last summer’s camp.

“I’ve always been a big fan of Imagination Station. My camper this year really liked it, and it made me happy to see him enjoy it,” Potridge said.

Student volunteer Carson Szakovits and camper David Bailey fly through the air on the Troika during Camp Wildcat’s visit to Cedar Point. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

The campers were thrilled to ride the roller coasters at Cedar Point.

“This is my favorite park, and it’s also the safest park,” said sixth grader Bentley Cruthers. “The Iron Maiden is my favorite.”

Camp Wildcat provided fifth grade camper Cole Bailey with his first ever visit to Cedar Point. Although he wasn’t tall enough to try every ride at the park, he found a favorite in the Troika, a spinning, tumbling ride that took him 25 feet into the air.

Cedar Point, Bailey said, was better than he expected.

“It was funner than I thought it would be,” he said. “I thought it would just be big rides I couldn’t go on.”

Woodmore Middle School Principal Kevin Ball and camper David Bailey wave from a raft on Thunder Canyon at Cedar Point. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)