Dawn Reiner, Executive Director of Camp Discovery, announced that attorney Valerie Vanaman will be the recipient of the “Inspiration Award” at the organizations’ 5th annual dinner/fundraiser themed “Discover Hope,” to be held on February 5, at the Luxe Hotel in Brentwood. The Inspiration Award is given to a professional serving the special needs community who exemplifies an unwavering commitment to children with special needs. For the past three decades, Ms. Vanaman has worked on behalf of children with special needs to ensure that they have equal access to education within the public school system. Her efforts have improved the quality of education for countless special needs children. Camp Discovery honors her for her dedication and hard work.
Camp Discovery offers a traditional summer day camp experience to children ages 3 through 10 who have mild to moderate special needs. The campers include children who have been diagnosed with Autism, ADD, ADHD, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, speech and language delays, and other developmental delays. Camp Discovery is located in Temescal Canyon Gateway Park in Pacific Palisades, and this year will open a second location at the West Hills Jewish Community Center in the San Fernando Valley. The camps serve a cross-section of the Los Angeles community. This summer the camps’ activities will include swimming, music, arts and crafts, yoga, nature – and animal – themed field trips. The camps seamlessly integrate speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other specialties into their programming so that the campers can continue to develop over the summer.
In addition to honoree Valerie Vanaman, 10-year-old Xavier Gibbons will be receiving the Youth Inspiration Award. Xavier has been a camper for three years at Camp Discovery and has shown tremendous personal growth.
