Reflecting on Camp No Limits

This summer marked the Treats fourth visit to Camp No Limits in Lake Forest, Illinois, and once again, it reminded us why this program is such a powerful resource for families in the limb difference community.

Mack had been eagerly counting down the days leading up to camp. Her joy was unmistakable—throughout the weekend, she frequently exclaimed, “This is the best day ever.” This event has become a touchstone for us, offering not just inspiration, but also practical insight, community connection, and lasting friendships.

Empowering Through Connection and Expertise

The camp’s strength lies in its multidisciplinary approach—bringing together physical therapists, occupational therapists, prosthetists, and most importantly, mentors who live with limb difference. Campers and their families receive hands-on support, individualized coaching, and adaptive strategies to thrive in their everyday lives.

This year, Ali and Tyler joined us for part of the weekend, expanding the experience for our families. In case you missed it, we also had the privilege of discussing Camp No Limits on our podcast and hosting an interview with Mary Leighton, the organization’s founder and driving force. Her passion and long-term vision came through clearly, reinforcing why this camp continues to grow and make an impact nationwide.
Listen to the Season 1 Experience Recap, and Season 2 Interview with Mary Leighton here:

A Space for Every Family Member

Camp is designed with intention—not just for kids, but for siblings and parents, too. One of my personal highlights is the breakout sessions, where each group meets separately to explore real-life topics. We discussed school adaptations, accessibility in sports, and the emotional dynamics of visible disabilities. It's a space for both learning and vulnerability, and the support exchanged is genuine and lasting.

And yes—we had those familiar conversations about being called “inspiring.” My response? Let’s take that opportunity to highlight organizations and communities like Camp No Limits that help build that confidence and resilience.

A Day at Camp: Sample Itinerary

To give you a clearer picture of the structure and energy of camp, here's the Friday itinerary from the Illinois session. It is pretty packed, but there are plenty of opportunities for downtime, and there's no pressuring or judgement if anyone chooses nap time over play time - although the FOMO is real. The schedules vary by location and programs that the sites are able to offer:

Friday Schedule – Lake Forest, IL

• 8:00–8:45 AM: Breakfast

• 9:00–10:00 AM: Energizers, Morning Stretches, Announcements

• 10:15–11:30 AM: Life Skills Sessions – PT, OT, Sibling Club

• 11:30–12:30 PM: Lunch

• 1:00–2:00 PM: Peer Support Groups – Breakout Sessions for Campers, Parents, Sibs

• 2:00–5:30 PM: Adventure Afternoon! Breakout sessions to choose from including:

  • US ParaCheer Team

  • Swimming – (Of course Kari & Mack were here!)

  • Running/Biking Clinics

  • Wheelchair Tennis

  • Arts & Crafts

  • Field Hockey

• 5:30–6:15 PM: Dinner

• 7:00–9:00 PM: Friday Night was the Talent Show! Saturday Night was the Dance Party, Raffle and Camp Slideshow

• 9:00–10:00 PM: Evening Programs by age group (or bedtime for our sleepy heads)

There’s movement, reflection, laughter, and learning packed into every hour—and it’s all wrapped in encouragement and community.

A Standout Moment: Courage, Creativity, and a Puppet Show

One of my absolute favorite moments from this year’s camp was when Mackenzie took to the stage during the Friday night talent show to perform a puppet show she had dreamed up entirely on her own. For weeks, she’d been talking about wanting to participate, though she kept her exact plan a mystery. I knew the basics, and my part where I needed to bring a baby into the story.

When the spotlight hit the stage, she delivered with a little bit of timidness, but a whole lot of joy, crafting a short story full of energy, laughter, and just a little bit of mischievous charm. I had to remind her to keep it PG (there were a lot of smooching puppets in early drafts!), but she absolutely delivered in the moment. Her confidence to get up there, entertain a crowd, and own her creativity is exactly what makes this camp so impactful. The first year she didn't get what was going on. Year 2 she was all nerves going up and standing behind the other campers, last year she tried a little more fun on stage, and now here we are! It’s not just about learning life skills—it’s about stepping into yourself fully, supported by a cheering community. There were some amazing talents shared that night from dancing, singing, gymnastics, musicians, jokes, and the Para Cheer Spirit squad even performed, too!

Camp Locations Nationwide

Camp No Limits isn’t limited to Illinois—there are locations across the country to fit your schedule or region. Sessions are hosted in:

• California

• Connecticut

• Idaho

• Illinois

• Maine

• Maryland

• Tennessee

• Arizona

• Teen Camp (rotating location)

Each location provides the same level of care, innovation, and community, with a commitment to accessibility. Scholarships are available to help cover costs, and partners—like Hanger Clinic, Koalaa, and GLASA—contribute both financially and with equipment and adaptive tools for campers to explore. Families and organizations also hold fundraisers throughout the year. Thank you supporters for making this happen! And a huge thank you to the local and traveling volunteers who are making these programs possible!

Final Thoughts

Camp No Limits continues to be a place of growth, discovery, and empowerment—for kids, siblings, and caregivers alike. It’s where we learn from one another, celebrate progress, and build relationships that last long after the weekend ends. Their motto is "Educate. Empower. Support." and they're doing all of that and more.

If you’re a family navigating life with limb difference, I encourage you to look into attending a session. We’ve even connected with families at camp who just came out for the day and had recently found out about their child’s limb difference utero, or their child was only a few months old and they wanted to see what’s to come. You’ll walk away with new strategies, new friends, and maybe even hear someone in your family say, “This is the best day ever.”

To learn more about Camp No Limits, visit nolimitsfoundation.org. To hear more about our personal experiences and insights from camp leadership, check out our podcast and socials—don't miss the recap video on instagram: instagram.com/limbdifferencecollective