Camp Victory Returns!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Casey Jones
Director of Marketing and Communication
The Arc Caddo-Bossier
GREAT Equine Assisted Services
7141 Greenwood-Springridge Road
Greenwood, LA
Phone: 318.425.8978
Email: cjones@thearccaddobossier.org
Website: thearccaddobossier.org
CAMP VICTORY CELEBRATES 23RD SUMMER WITH INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES
GREENWOOD, LA – June 6, 2025 – The Arc Caddo-Bossier's GREAT Program featuring Equine Assisted Services is celebrating another successful year of Camp Victory, an inclusive summer camp program now in its 23rd year of operation. As the first session concludes this week with a traditional hotdog cookout and horse show, the staff is getting ready for the second session beginning Monday, June 9th.
Camp Victory serves children with special needs alongside their typically developing peers and siblings, ages 4-10, creating an inclusive environment where all children can learn, grow, and have fun together. The program takes place at GREAT's beautiful 37,000 square foot facility and 30-acre campus in Greenwood, Louisiana.
"Camp Victory represents everything we believe in at The Arc Caddo-Bossier – creating unlimited opportunities for individuals with disabilities while fostering understanding and inclusion in our community," said Caroline Hendrix, Director of the GREAT PRogram. "For 23 years, we've watched children build confidence and discover new abilities through our inclusive programming."
The week-long camp experience includes a diverse array of activities designed to engage children of all abilities:
Therapeutic horseback riding with certified instructors
Arts and crafts projects promoting creativity and fine motor skills
Science and nature studies exploring the outdoor environment
Team building activities fostering cooperation and friendship
Falconry demonstrations providing unique wildlife education experiences
Friday celebration featuring a hotdog cookout and horse show for families
Each day, 36 campers arrive at 8:50 a.m. and are divided into three groups to participate in rotating activities throughout the morning. The program runs from 9:00 a.m. until mid-day, allowing families flexibility in their summer schedules.
"The magic of Camp Victory happens when you see a child with autism teaching a typically developing peer how to properly brush a horse, or when siblings get to share an experience that celebrates everyone's unique abilities," noted Liz Thigpen, GREAT Program Coordinator.
The GREAT Program’s Equine Assisted Services is the only PATH International member center in Northwest Louisiana, ensuring that all programming meets the highest standards for safety and therapeutic benefit. The organization's certified therapeutic riding instructors work alongside trained volunteers to provide individualized attention to each camper.
“Huge thank you to his counselors while he was on the horse! They poured so much into my son James so he could conquer his fear and be courageous in riding a horse for the first time ever!” says parent Catherine Wagoner.
Camp Victory collaborates with other nonprofit organizations throughout the region to provide varied programming and maximize community resources. We serve Caddo and DeSoto parish school systems through their adaptive physical education programs. The program has consistently maintained a waiting list due to its popularity and proven outcomes for participants.
Session Details:
Session 1: June 2-6, 2025 (Ending today)
Session 2: June 9-13, 2025
Ages: 4-10 years old
Capacity: 36 children per session
Location: GREAT Program, 7141 Greenwood-Springridge Road, Greenwood, LA
Time: 8:50 a.m. arrival, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. programming
About The GREAT Program’s Equine Assisted Services GREAT (Equine Assisted Services) is a program of The Arc Caddo-Bossier, providing therapeutic horseback riding, equine-assisted learning, and inclusive programming for individuals with disabilities and their families. The organization operates from a state-of-the-art facility donated by the Hamm Family and serves clients throughout Northwest Louisiana.
About The Arc Caddo-Bossier For over 70 years, The Arc Caddo-Bossier has provided unlimited opportunities for individuals with disabilities through comprehensive programming including residential services, employment opportunities, day programming, and therapeutic services. The organization's mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities while promoting inclusion and understanding in the community.
High-resolution photos of Camp Victory activities and previous sessions are available upon request. GREAT representatives are available for interviews.
