At PA Lions Beacon Lodge Camp, Camp AD(H)Dventure gives energetic, creative kids a place to explore their strengths while learning how to navigate challenges with support and understanding. Designed for campers with ADHD and related differences, the program blends structure with flexibility, helping each child discover new strategies for focus, expression, and connection.
Luna, a 10-year-old artist and natural leader, arrived at camp with her sketchbook, a purse full of treasures, and her bedazzled cane sparkling in the sunlight. Known for her creativity and her catchphrase — “Feel the world differently” — Luna’s story shows how Camp AD(H)Dventure helps kids transform sensitivity and energy into confidence, calm, and community.
Sunday Arrival: “Too Much Everything”
Luna’s first impression of Beacon Lodge Camp wasn’t the beautiful mountains or the welcoming banners. It was the noise. Car doors slamming, excited voices calling out greetings, the rustle of sleeping bags, the creak of cabin doors. For a 10-year-old who gets overwhelmed by overlapping sounds and constant activity, it felt like sensory chaos.
“I wanted to get back in the car,” Luna admits. “My mom kept asking if I was okay, but how do you explain that everything feels too loud, too bright, too much? I was already exhausted and camp hadn’t even started.”
Then counselor Sarah appeared beside her — not bouncing with enthusiasm like other staff, but calm and steady. “Hey Luna,” she said quietly. “I bet this feels like a lot right now. Want to see your space first, and then we can talk about how to make everything feel more manageable?”
That word — manageable — was the first hint that this place might actually understand what Luna needed.
Days 1–2: Learning the Rhythms
Camp AD(H)Dventure works differently than other programs. Mornings are quieter, with structured small-group activities. Afternoon “choice time” lets campers opt for high-energy fun or peaceful alternatives. Evenings are held in smaller cabins instead of one big gathering.
“Nobody acted like I was being difficult when I said the dining hall felt too loud,” Luna remembers. “Sarah just showed me how I could eat earlier when it’s quieter, or sit at the tables near the windows where the sound doesn’t echo as much.”
Her first trip to the Arts and Crafts Building on Monday was a turning point. Working with clay while soft music played in the background, Luna discovered she could express feelings she didn’t have words for. The weight and texture of the clay was grounding, like taking her first deep breath since arriving.
“I made this little bowl that was bumpy and uneven,” Luna says. “But the art counselor told me it was perfect because it showed exactly how I was feeling, a little rough around the edges, but holding something precious inside.”
On Tuesday, Luna faced her first challenge: a group hike. The idea of walking with seven other campers felt overwhelming. But the nature counselor had thought ahead, letting Luna walk second in line (away from the chatter but still included) and giving her a magnifying glass to explore details along the trail.
“Instead of everything being too much, I could choose one thing to look at closely,” Luna explains. “I found this tiny flower that was almost transparent, and I spent ten minutes just studying it. Nobody rushed me or acted like I was slowing everyone down.”
Days 3–4: Finding Her Voice
By midweek, Luna had discovered the camp’s sensory garden — a calm spot full of textures, scents, and quiet corners. More importantly, she had begun advocating for herself.
“I learned to say, ‘I need a quiet break’ instead of just shutting down,” Luna explains. “And people listened. Not just counselors — other campers too.”
Her biggest breakthrough came during a collaborative art project. Each camper created a piece of a larger mural about “what makes you feel strong.” Luna was nervous about working so closely with others, but the shared creative focus made it easier to connect.
“When we’re all painting, the pressure to make conversation goes away,” Luna says. “We could just create together and talk if we wanted to. I ended up having the longest conversation I’d had all week with another camper who also gets overstimulated by crowds.”
Luna’s mural section, a forest scene full of calming textures and colors, became the part other campers returned to most often. “They said looking at my part made them feel peaceful,” Luna recalls with pride.
Days 5–6: Teaching Others
By Friday, Luna had become an unofficial guide for new or overwhelmed campers. When a midweek arrival started to feel overstimulated, Luna was the one who stepped in.
“I showed her the sensory garden, the quiet eating times, and how to ask for breaks,” Luna says. “It felt amazing to help someone else feel less alone with something I understood so well.”
Saturday’s talent show could have been overwhelming — loud music, bright lights, and a big crowd. Instead, Luna volunteered to create the stage decorations, using calming patterns and colors that made the space feel welcoming for everyone.
“I didn’t perform on stage, but I contributed something important,” Luna reflects. “My art helped other kids feel comfortable enough to perform. That felt better than applause.”
When Luna’s parents arrived for pickup, they found her leading a small group of campers in a “mindful art” session she had organized — teaching others how to use creativity for calm and focus.
“My parents couldn’t believe how calm and confident I looked,” Luna says. “Not because I learned to ignore overwhelming situations, but because I learned how to create the kind of environment where I could thrive.”
Eight Months Later: Confidence in Any Environment
Today, Luna is thriving in fifth grade, using self-advocacy skills and creative outlets in school and at home. She’s joined the art club and requested accommodations that help her participate fully.
“I don’t think Camp AD(H)Dventure ‘fixed’ my sensitivity,” Luna clarifies. “It taught me that being sensitive isn’t something to fix — it’s something to work with. Now I know how to create what I need to feel calm and creative.”
Luna’s art has evolved too. Her pieces now incorporate textures, calming colors, and resting spaces for the eye — artwork designed to give others the same peace she finds when creating it.
What Camp AD(H)Dventure Offers Through Luna’s Experience
Luna’s story illustrates the supportive approach that makes Camp AD(H)Dventure unique:
- Sensory-aware programming with flexible participation options
- Small group activities that reduce overwhelm while building connection
- Creative expression as both outlet and communication tool
- Self-advocacy skill building in a supportive environment
- A peer community that embraces energy, sensitivity, and difference
- Practical strategies for navigating sensory challenges anywhere
Camp AD(H)Dventure serves children ages 8–12 with ADHD, sensory processing differences, or related challenges. The program emphasizes creativity, self-expression, and community while teaching campers how to thrive with their unique strengths.
Luna’s Message to Future Campers
“You don’t have to pretend to be less sensitive to fit in at Camp AD(H)Dventure,” Luna says. “The whole point is learning that your sensitivity can be a superpower when you’re in the right environment with people who understand.”
Her advice for parents?
“Trust that your child knows what they need — camp just helps them learn how to ask for it and create it. Being sensitive in a world that’s often too loud, too bright, and too fast isn’t a problem to solve. It’s a way of experiencing the world that can create beautiful things.”
Want to learn more about Camp AD(H)Dventure or other Beacon Lodge programs?
Contact us at office@beaconlodge.org or call (814) 542-2511.
🎨 Curious about Luna’s world before camp? Meet Luna here.
Luna’s story is shared with permission and represents a composite of experiences from Camp AD(H)Dventure participants over the years. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy while honoring the authentic experiences of our camp community.