¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý

Skip to main content
You have permission to edit this article.
Edit

Weather Alert

Weather Alert

...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT /8 PM EDT/ FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Daily Heat index values up to 106.

* WHERE...All of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western
Kentucky, and southeast Missouri.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT /8 PM EDT/ Friday.

* IMPACTS...Prolonged exposure to hot temperatures and high humidity
may cause heat illnesses.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose
fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning
or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and
heat stroke.

&&

70-year tradition 'Camp Little Giant' to be reimagined, taking 2022 hiatus

  • Updated
  • 0
Touch of Nature
By Jacie Brianne

(WSIL) --  at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center has since 1952 been a place where people with differing abilities “can do anything,� thanks to special adaptations.

Now, Camp Little Giant and Touch of Nature’s Inclusive Recreation Program are going to be completely reimagined and take a hiatus in 2022. 

Full refunds to those who had already registered for this year's camp are being issued. 

A special task force is being established, comprising Camp Little Giant stakeholders, along with industry specialists in the fields of inclusive and adaptive recreation, nursing, mental health, veteran services as well as other engaged community leaders. The group will look at all of Touch of Nature’s inclusive programs, facilities and staffing structure to help shape its future offerings.

In the pre-COVID-19 environment, campers from ages 9 to 90 typically came from hundreds of miles to attend the overnight camps for one or two weeks. The popular camp format had been relatively unchanged in its 70-year history.

Brian Croft, assistant director of outdoor education and recreation for Touch of Nature, said the task force will examine every aspect of the program, getting varied perspectives from interested parties along the way. The group will determine what parts should remain unchanged and what parts should be adjusted to be more engaging or relevant to campers of the 2020s.

“One of the five pillars of SIU’s  is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion,� Croft said. “After 70 years of making great memories for campers, we think it’s time get some valuable input and make sure that Touch of Nature’s Inclusive Recreation programs are the absolute best that they can be. We’re eager to get this process started and look forward to unveiling what the true summer camp experience for youths and adults with varying abilities will be for 2023 and beyond.�