 Children and teens with different abilities and special needs can often feel like there's no one out there like them with similar struggles. As Melmy reports for this week's Community Spotlight, an extra special camp in Park Rapids is helping them feel less isolated and more empowered. The Camp of Champs started in 2006 as a place for children who have been adopted or are in foster care. Jihad Gao and his siblings were the very first campers. We did all this sex and then it was like 20, then it was 40, then it was 15, I think this year we had 94. Over time, the camp has expanded its reach to help the lives of kids 7 through 17 with a variety of needs. This includes children with ADHD, autism or other learning challenges. Our camp has really focused on helping kids on more of the social skills or the character based types of activities. This includes a camp for favorite, the character challenge course, high, low and everything in between. It provides the kids a chance to step up to the challenge. There's a lot of fear at first, even for the staff, but the more you do things, the less fear you have. Belay team, can I trust you? Yes, you can! It's an important lesson to learn for these guys who might have insecurities about major life events that lie ahead. The goal is to make safe a truck. Marcus King says over the last four years, camp has taught him how to be a better leader and to have better interactions with his peers. I raise my voice and respect my other camp fellows because they love respect. I'm one of them. They want to listen to me. These skills are incredibly important as being a kid and finding your place amongst others can be difficult, especially with some different needs. But as Melissa Doctor says, she tries to tell her campers that there are a bunch of things that make her kind of quirky and special. And that's absolutely okay. And I just try to show them that it doesn't matter who you are, just be yourself. With this week's Community Spotlight in Park Rapids, I'm Elmire, Lakeland News. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.