The Pennsylvania Lions Beacon Lodge Camp has opened registration for the upcoming camp season.

Situated on 583 acres along the Juniata River in Mount Union, Beacon Lodge Camp was organized in 1948 to meet the needs of Pennsylvania residents with vision impairments. Beacon Lodge has grown into an inclusive summer camp for both children and adults with blindness or vision impairments, as well as individuals with other special needs, including intellectual disabilities, autism, mobility issues, deafness and hearing impairments, and ADHD.

The camp is funded primarily by donations, and it has been sponsored by the Pennsylvania Lions for 75 years as a state project. During the camping season, Beacon Lodge operates as a full-service summer camp for children and adults with a variety of special needs.

The camp's mission is to provide all individuals with special needs the opportunity to enjoy a camping experience. Special emphasis is placed on stimulating interests and appreciation for recreation and learning, as well as encouraging campers to take on new challenges.

Beacon Lodge offers several different camping sessions based on camper abilities. Activities focus on campers' strengths, not their weaknesses. Activities range from bingo and arts and crafts to the climbing tower and zip line.

The camp also offers special sessions and programming for military veterans who have become disabled. Camp Project New Hope offers camping experiences for veterans and their families.

For information on the 2023 camping season, visit http://www.beaconlodge.org.

Many campers can receive assistance with funding from their local Lions Club. For information on local Lions Clubs in Lancaster and Lebanon counties, contact District 14-D Beacon Lodge board members Lori Eshleman at 717-350-5536 or Bill Grager at 717-615-1974.

Assistance may also be available through state and county programs for adults and children with disabilities, as well as other local civic and community groups.