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2315 Harmon Lake Road
Mayville, MI 48744
Tel (989) 673-2050
Fax (989) 673-6355
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The Fowler Center - For Outdoor Learning
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The Fowler Center is an outdoor recreation and education facility that provides programs with particular emphasis on people with developmental and physical disabilities.
The Fowler Center was founded by pioneer and visionary, John Fowler. In 1957, John, a special education teacher, realized the need for summer camping programs for his students.
Together with his wife, Reta, John started camping that summer in the school's field with 9 boys who had cognitive impairments.
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The Fowlers both believed strongly that confidence and self-esteem could be built and fostered with an away-from-home outdoor experience. It is that belief upon which The Fowler Center has been built. Each year approximately 3,000 children, teens and adults have the chance to enjoy all that The Fowler Center has to offer.
To read the story of The Fowler Center, visit our History page
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What The Fowler Center Offers
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The Fowler Center serves thousands of people each year by providing access to the outdoors in a safe, comfortable, loving environment that fosters a sense of accomplishment, independence and increased self-esteem.
Our programs and facilities are specifically designed to meet the special physical, social, intellectual, emotional and motivational needs of participants.
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Emphasis is placed on the ability of each camper to participate in the camping experience according to their physical, cognitive and psychological abilities. A concerted effort is made to remove any possible barriers and to create a secure, positive and reinforcing environment.
Our Programs section contains information about Camp Fowler, our 9-week residential summer camp program. Additionally, there is information about adult Spring and Fall sessions, monthly Weekend Respite Camps, Camp Barefoot for adults with Traumatic Brain Injuries, Travel Adventures, Winter Camp and Group Events. The Fowler Center also offers the Mah Meh Weh Horse Ranch Program with one or two one-week sessions (dependent on enrollment) for 10-16 year old girls without disabilities.
For information about our many programs, visit our Programs page.
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The Fowler Center's Campers
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The Fowler Center has programs for children, teens and adults. Each program has been created to accommodate each person's needs.
The Fowler Center works with individuals who have a variety of disabilities, including cognitive and physical impairments, autism, traumatic brain injuries, and sensory & communication disorders.
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The Fowler Center maintains a 1:3 staff to camper ratio during all camp sessions. Any camper that will be successful in this ratio is eligible. Some campers require one-on-one assistance for medical or behavioral reasons, or due to parental/guardian request. One-on-one aides may be provided by an appropriate agency approved by The Fowler Center at an additional fee of $100, or by staff at The Fowler Center, depending on staff availability, at an additional fee of $250. The Super Camp adult session in the summer program and the adult Spring and Fall sessions are designed for campers who need more time to complete a project as well as physical assistance with eating, dressing and hygiene. The Fowler Center staff will determine eligibility and help you find an appropriate session on an individual basis.
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The Fowler Center's Experienced Staff
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Throughout the history of The Fowler Center, our staff's training, both in pre-camp sessions as well as during the camp sessions, has been given high priority. The reason, of course, is to assure that each camper receives adequate programming, maintains a healthy record and enjoys a satisfying, happy camping experience. Each year this staff training becomes more inclusive because of the years of experience in camping and the new innovations which assist in making the procedures more efficient and meaningful.
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Night Staff: Campers at The Fowler Center have always enjoyed the security and comfort in knowing that four counselors sleep in the same cabin as they do. Counselors are available around the clock to monitor and comfort special needs.
Additionally there is a regular rotation of two night staff during our summer sessions who are awake and do hourly rounds and bed checks for the safety and security of each camper.
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Certified Quality
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The Fowler Center is accredited by the American Camp Association and licensed as an Adult Foster Care Camp and Children's Camp by the State of Michigan. Both agencies monitor the quality of the site, programs, staff and administration.
The Fowler Center is also a member in good standing with the Michigan Assisted Living Association. All Programs are routinely monitored for the physical and emotional safety of all participants.
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For additional information, please contact us at: info@thefowlercenter.org.
You may also choose to verify our accreditations using online resources available at:
American Camp Association
Family Independence Agency
Michigan Assisted Living Association
To answer your questions or concerns about the camping experience, visit the American Camping Association informational pages. |
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Our Environmental Pledge
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The Fowler Center Camp is located in a beautiful mixture of open meadows, dense forest, lakefront, creek, pasture and open hills. It is home to numerous varieties of trees, animals and plants. To preserve the area, The Center uses conservation techniques that include a vigorous recycling program, organic gardening, erosion control and the commitment to cut use of paper products and rely on recycled material whenever possible.
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