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We thank Mary Haney, Camp Director, and all the staff of the Camp for their dedication and commitment to the special children served at this camp every year for the last 30 years.
Camp Maheta Luputke, held each year in May or June, is one of the very special causes supported by our Club. We provide the money for the food for the campers and have also provided each camper a camera and developing of the film so they may preserve their memories from the Camp.
 
 
CAMP MAHETA LUPUTKE
(submitted by Mary Haney)
Camp Maheta Luputke was founded in 1974 to provide a one-week overnight camping experience for severely emotionally behavior disorder and autistic children who attended Elam Alexander Academy throughout the Middle Georgia area. A tribe of Creek Indians visited the first week of campers and in traditional attire they ceremoniously blessed and named the camp Maheta Luputke meaning "To Grow in the Woods". Little did they know that 30 years later, Camp Maheta Luputke would continue to grow to provide camping experiences to generations of special children to come.
This unique weeklong, overnight camp serves 90 to 100 special students of all ages free of charge each summer. Such a project is made possible only by the tremendous community involvement and dedication of many individuals and agencies. Volunteer doctors administer free physical exams. Approximately 30 Elam Alexander Academy staff annually work at camp as directors, nurses, lifeguards, counselors and cooks. Many of our students are without transportation and county school systems sponsor buses to pick students up at their home and transport them to and from camp.
The Kiwanis Club of Macon is truly the heartbeat of Maheta Luputke. This organization has been instrumental in the planning, execution and direct involvement each year since its inception. They have provided all the food necessary for staff and campers, as well as supplies, equipment, sleeping bags, pillows, and even soap and towels for those children who are in need of these items. This past year, Kiwanis members even sponsored disposable cameras and film development so at the end of the week, each camper had a pack of photographs to keep reminding them of their newly acquired friends as well as camp experiences.
Kiwanians join campers for sporting events as well as a special night at camp. Children treat Kiwanis members to a dinner and a program they present on Awards Night thanking this great organization for their continued commitment to all of them.
Campers enjoy the amenities of a local church camp leased to Elam Alexander Academy each summer. This is sponsored through fund raising activities by teachers and social workers at Elam Alexander Academy. Individual donors as well as some businesses sponsor children to come to camp.
Students enjoy a week of structured activities and events while learning new skills in a variety of developmental areas. Their schedules begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at midnight each day. Counselors work as a team to build camper success in achievement, socialization and communication skills. Behavioral goals and objectives are a major focus for each child.
Campers enjoy a variety of exciting camping activities on a daily basis. Classes include sports and games, music and drama, nature education, photography, art, swimming, fishing, canoeing, and "Survivor" from the popular television program. They also enjoy field trips to skating rinks, museums and wildlife habitats.
On Awards Night, each and every camper receives a special Camp Maheta Luputke certificate recognizing them as "exhibiting all the characteristics of a true camper". Trophies are awarded to the "Best Camper," "Best Sport," and "Most Improved Camper." Swim medals are also awarded in a variety of categories. Campers then participate in testimonials of what they liked about camp, what they learned during the week and which counselors they liked the best! Then, using sign language, they sing and sign their favorite camp theme songs. Songs like "I Believe I Can Fly" and "I Am The Greatest" attest to their newly acquired self confidence "and that is what it is all about."
Children leave camp a little bit wiser, stronger, and better than when they arrived. The blessing by the Creek Indians was surely a prophecy. We really do "grow in the woods." Just ask any of our campers!
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