Our Special Education Program
Founded in 1939, the Empire State Special Needs Experience, Inc. (formerly the Empire State Speech and Hearing Clinic) is a non-profit special education summer camp operated as a New York State Lions Club Project.
The school at Lions Camp Badger has a new name: EMPIRE STATE SPECIAL NEEDS EXPERIENCE, INC. Our name has changed to meet the changing times and needs of the students and young adults that we serve. Our program will have an emphasis on the transition from school to the world of work in addition to the subject content required for each individual. Personal grooming, food prep., kitchen skills, cleaning and doing laundry will be included in the skills exposed and encouraged in the transition program.
Located on 420 acres of beautiful woodlands with a man-made lake, the ESSNE provides a living and learning experience uninhibited by traditional school buildings and classrooms.
The ESSNE is centrally located in upstate New York, convenient to Ithaca, Binghamton, Elmira, and Syracuse. Students who attend the ESSNE come from throughout the state. Out-of-state students are also welcome to attend.
We are in the process of updating our Program to better fit the needs of the children and will not hold school this summer. We are glad to host the Diabetes Camp for children program Circle of Life and program for returning vetrens Project New Hope this summer. ESSNE will reopen next year with the same goals of helping special needs children with a new format and updated program.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our office. Add your name to our e-mail list to be kept up to date.
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Opportunities
There are many opportunities to get involved in the spirit of Lions Camp Badger. Are you interested in coming for a week to observe or volunteer? We are always looking for enthusiastic people to hop aboard. Summer employment positions are available for counselors and teachers. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Lions Camp Badger team, please contact us.
Lions Camp Badger
Home of the
EMPIRE STATE SPECIAL NEEDS EXPERIENCE, Inc.
"A Special Education Summer School"
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