Social Impact & Volunteering

Domtar Volunteers Make a Difference at Camp Blue Skies

Nov 14, 2018 9:05 AM ET
Campaign: Making a Difference in Local Communities
Photo shows (from left to right) Domtar CEO John D. Williams, Camp Blue Skies Camper Clay Conrad and Camp Blue Skies Founder Dick Sesler.

We proudly partnered with Camp Blue Skies again this year to help make camp a reality for adults with disabilities. Many Domtar volunteers worked with the camp several times over the past few months to help set up activities for campers, including zip lines, ropes courses, Frisbee games and post-lunch singalongs in the cafeteria.

For adults with disabilities, opportunities are limited when it comes to experiencing the outdoor activities and social experiences often found at camp. Dick Sesler, a retired businessman from Charlotte, North Carolina, understood this need. That’s why in 2010 he founded Camp Blue Skies, an overnight camp for adults with disabilities. Camp Blue Skies provides individuals with special needs a safe, friendly environment that can accommodate their physical and developmental challenges. The camp, which holds sessions in Georgia and North Carolina, has been a resounding success.

CEO Joins Domtar Volunteers for Day at Camp Blue Skies

Our CEO, John D. Williams, serves on the board of the camp. He joined other Domtar volunteers for a day during this year’s camp season. They all spent time visiting with campers and participated in activities including fishing, zip lining, team building and bingo.

“I had a wonderful time visiting Camp Blue Skies,” says Williams. “Each day the campers were challenged to do an activity they had never done before. During my visit, I was able to watch them not only accomplish their challenge, but also have fun along the way. It made for a very bright day.

“I can’t say enough about Camp Blue Skies,” Williams continues. “It is a wonderful camp that works tirelessly to help serve a population that is largely underserved, and I am honored to be a part of it.”

Another Domtar volunteer shares the same sentiment. “It was a privilege to be a part of the camp’s activities for a day,” says Kate Shupe, office supply team lead. “I think I got more out of my visit with the campers than they did. It was just such an awe-inspiring day!”

Learn more about Camp Blue Skies and the many benefits of camp for adults with disabilities.