(Columbia) Feb. 21, 2005 - Camp Burnt Gin has been home away from home for children with disabilities for 60 years.

For a week each summer, the state pays for children like Christopher Pickard of Lexington to come to the camp. Myra Pickard says her son has cerebral palsy and is deaf, "It gave him a sense of independence, a sense of self worth, I can do something."

She says it's the only camp Christopher can attend and only time he can do things other kids do, "He says we shoot the arrow, we go boating, swimming, he dunks the staff people."

Myra found out Governor Mark Sanford wants to stop funding the camp with public money, "Without that money, the camp may not exist, which is a sad story for our kids."

Camp Burnt Gin's director, Marie Aimone, says their phones have been ringing off the hook with people wanting to know what they can to do help since WIS initial broadcast about the story. Aimone says parents are wondering if camp's still on this summer, "I remain optimistic that the funding issues will be resolved and that Camp Burnt Gin will go on."

Aimone hopes lawmakers insist on state money and one is already championing the cause. If not, she believes the kindness of the human heart may save the camp, "I think if there were a major thrust in fundraising and we went that route, it's possible, I'm sure anything's possible."

Myra isn't as optimistic and says cutting camp for the disabled reflects badly, "It's another message that they're kind of put on the back burner."

By Jennifer Miskewicz
Posted 8:02pm by BrettWitt