Message from AE kid

Hey! I wanted to thank you guys for the little card. Its very nice! Please let everyone know i said thank you. And i am doing very very well. In school i have not gotten in one bit of trouble! I am almost off probation and my home life is going awesome too! Me and my mom get along so much better, I listen more. I couldnt have done it without you guys! So please let everyone know i miss them..and tell them i said thank you. You guys are awesome :) Im gonna try and go up for a reunion pretty soon! Hope to see all of you guys soon.

Merry Christmas to all of you.

Summer 2011

Hi everyone! It has been a busy summer here at AE. We have had a blast working with blind and visually impaired kids. We have had fun camping, paddling, swimming, cliff jumping, rappelling, Tyrolean Traversing, high ropes, low ropes, and much more. Our kids have travelled to faraway places and have ventured through all different dangers such as lava pits, crossing the Amazon River, escaping out of burning ships, boarding a wavy whale watch, and much, much more on the low ropes. These challenges have been full of fun, problem solving, and team work. Best of all, They have all made it through!

Now I am not sure what happened to summer, but our leaves are now turning a beautiful array of oranges and reds. That means that the month of September was full of day programs with schools, hockey teams, and groups from St. Joe's drug rehab. Groups have enjoyed building teamwork and support by problem solving on the low ropes, and putting their trust and confidence in themselves, the staff, and their support teams while attempting the high rope challenges. These men, women, and kids have taken up the "Challenge by choice" option and have taken that "leap of faith" to climb, swing, jump, and soar 25 feet in the air. It has been so much fun! Great job everyone!

Hello and Goodbye

Hello, my name is Kristine and I am an intern here at AE for the summer. I look forward to meeting each person who comes through AE. I will be posting the blog as Seth is leaving AE. He and his family are moving to Missouri to live. Seth left a message for all of you about his time here. Seth will be missed by both staff and participants.


To all my friends,

Working at AE has been an experience I will treasure. I have enjoyed everything from our wonderful foosball tournaments, to great times around the table one-biting enormous spoonfuls of food, to crying with kids as they share their stories and reach out for comfort and hope. It has all been worth the money, time and energy that has been invested. I love you all and will be praying for each of you that God will bless your work and generousity.

Seth Kiser

Come to AE this Summer!

Dear AE Campers,

AE has been a very fun place to spend part of my summer. At camp you get to experience things that most people never do and spend an unprecedented amount of time in the peace of the Adirondack woods.
I went to AE not really knowing what to expect. I knew that I would get to meet new people and make friendships but I had no idea of how much fun I would have or how AE would become one of the best parts of my summer. One of AE's goals is not to force the campers into anything, but to simply encourage and coach them to challenge their personal limits and fears. You will develop a new sense of what you can accomplish through individual challenges. You will also be amazed at what your group can accomplish together.
The counselors are all amazing people: Matt, Kaysie, Ally, Seth, Dione, Bob, and Jan just to name a few. If you choose not to attend AE you will be missing out on all the activities, new friendships and a new found sense of self accomplishment. I hope to see many of you readers at AE this summer for 10 days of non-stop fun.

Alex (a former AE camper)

What kind of friend are you?

“And the rest came
They tried to make me laugh
They played games with me
Some games for fun and some
For real and for keeps.
And then they went away
Leaving me in the ruin of the games
Not knowing which were for fun
And which were for keeps and
Leaving me alone with the echoes of
Laughter that wasn’t mine.

Then you came
With your funny way of being
Not quite human
And you made me cry.
And you didn’t seem to care if I did
You just said the games are over
And waited
Until all my tears turned into
Joy.”

A poem from Sheila to Torey
From the book One Child by Torey Hayden.

I'm Learning to Trust...

“While I was at AE I realized that it is okay to trust others, and that I can rely on other people than myself. I've never really been able to do that so I couldn't communicate my emotions. Now that I'm home I don't put on the mask that I wore constantly. I am not afraid of people seeing me be weak. They [AE] showed me that we are all weak at some point and that we do need the ability to be honest about what’s hurting us. Now that I know how to talk to others about my troubles I am encouraging my friends and family to do the same. My friends/family and I have never been so close and it’s helped me with all of my other problems. Thank you sooo AE!!"

– Britney

Girls Reunion Update

Eleven girls attended our Girls Reunion. Everyone seemed to really enjoy getting reconnected. It was so much fun sharing memories and experiences from previous visits. The staff was encouraged by reports from quite a few of the girls that their grades have improved since they were here last. We hope they continue to excel. "Way to go girls!"
Our activity for the day was sledding. There were some amazing stunts, close races, and a wonderful time was had by all.