Operation Shine Camp kicks off this weekend

KEARNEY, Neb.-- Operation Shine Camp will be hosting their first camp of the summer season this Saturday. 

The camp started ten years ago by the Kids and Dreams foundation. They serve kids, ages 7-12 with Autism Spectrum Disorders or related conditions. Kids have the opportunity to participate in arts and crafts, crate stacking, zip lines, swimming and many more activities surrounded by volunteers. 

Aaron Bly, the Executive Director/President of the Kids and Dreams Foundation says, "There really isn't another camp for individuals with autism around like we're providing. So we wanted to give those kids an opportunity to come and have that camp experience because we felt like that was an area we could help in."

The first year, Operation Shine had 24 kids and about 75 volunteers. This past year, they served over 130 campers with more than 400 volunteers at the three camps.

Bly says, "This has really just turned into something pretty special thanks to all of the volunteers that we have. They provide just a day in a weekend for those kids that is really life changing for the kids and the volunteers."

Dates for Operation Shine Camp will be this Saturday, May 31, June 6-8, and June 27-29. All camps will be held at Covenant Cedars Bible Camp, near Central City. If interested in more details, they ask that you visit their website, kidsanddreams.org.