About Us
An eight week travel day camp
for physically challenged,
non-challenged, and financially
disadvantaged, intellectually
able teens.
SUMMERS WITH TEAM RANDY. With a confidence built over 35+ years, Team Randy provides a maturing and fun filled summer for 20 Ocean County boys and girls. Team Randy is a travel camp. On a typical day, you might find participants at the beach or swimming in a pool, perhaps walking and rolling the nature trail at Cattus Island Park, or maybe on a trip to a college or museum, or possibly boating on the Toms River. If it is a “big trip” day, they might be off to New York City’s galleries or the Atlantic City Boardwalk or Great Adventure. Creativity, quality events, expanding experiences, all with an ambience of togetherness and summer fun, are the guidelines for weekly schedules. Overnight trips develop capability and confidence. One major trip concludes the summer and epitomizes our youngster’s growth and ability to work together. Over the years, these expeditions have included: Vail, Colorado; Orlando; Boston-Maine; Montreal; Chicago; Lake George, New York; Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia; Lake Placid, New York; the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina; Washington, D.C.; Vermont; Jim Thorpe, PA; Lancaster, PA, Cooperstown, NY, and Atlantic City, NJ.
GROWTH WITH TEAM RANDY. Adaptive techniques allow all our participants to safely and thoroughly be part of all events. We have pioneered adaptive techniques allowing us to windsurf, rock climb, scuba dive, “biscuit” ride behind a speedboat, ride motorcycles and jet ski. We have our own “Community Service Day”. Activities are a vehicle to more basic accomplishments. At the core is the personal growth and development of each young person. Camp requires a close interplay between staff and the young adults who participate. Round table discussions and other interactive tools enhance our exchanges. Informally and formally we seek and achieve a mature, honest and open dialogue. Appropriate sex education for teens is discussed with parental consent. Facing the world despite a physical handicap channels that person to the path of real life hero. For other challenged participants who are not so visibly and functionally handicapped, interacting with our heroes brings reality, perspective and priorities to their lives. All may redefine who they are and what they can become. When we are in contact with ourselves, we can discard self-imposed limitations.
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. Staff is headed by Camp Director, Kelly Wilbert. Ms. Wilbert is a special education teacher for Hamilton Township Schools, but is a product of the Toms River Regional School system. She is grateful to her father in law and original Camp Director, Bill Wilbert, for creating an inclusive camp environment where teenagers are encouraged to set goals and support one another. Kelly first met Team Randy when she was in 8th grade, and she is excited to work with the “team” and make fun new memories while overcoming obstacles. She is assisted by a head counselor and several paid and volunteer aids. Each staff member is a compassionate and caring human being. Able bodied campers are expected to help with daily tasks.
FUND-RAISING BY TEAM RANDY, INC. Organized local charities including the Rotary Club of Toms River, Kiwanis Daybreak, Knights of Columbus, United Way, the Charles B. Mathis Memorial Trust, and the Ann Talcott Fund, Wells Fargo Bank Trustee, New York Merchantile Chritable Foundation, Perlmart Shoprite and many private individuals support our good work. State agency funding is requested where participants qualify. Team Randy, Inc. has been awarded a grant each year by the Human Services Transportation Grant Program. Team Randy owns a handicapped lift equipped bus originally obtained through the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 16(b)2 program. In depth local support, ranging from bar-b-que lunches to the use of boats and even vacation homes, allows for an expansive program with only “necessity” cash flow.
APPLICATION. Young people ages 13-18 may enter Team Randy. Contact should be initiated by e-mail teamrandy (at) teamrandy.com, or download the application at the right of the webpage. All applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis by Ms. Wilbert. Beginning March 15th returning participants will be confirmed, tentative new applicants will be confirmed, and any remaining open spaces filled. Past participants who have graduated high school, or have participated for four years “graduate” to Alumni status, allowing room for our new participants. The daily schedule is 9:30am to 4:30pm, but varies with activities. Participants provide their own transportation to and from Toms River Fitness, and they bring their own lunch, drinks and snacks. The participation cost of camp is flexible and based on the ability to pay. We take pride in the dignity of our participants funding themselves to whatever degree they are able. The full cost of operation for each youngster is approximately $1,600.00. Day guests cover their incremental expenses as determined by the director.
TEAM RANDY IN THE WINTER. There is a winter extension of the summer program. It is club-like, with informal meetings.
Team Randy, Inc.
213 Rt. 37E (K-Mart Shopping Ctr)
Toms River, NJ 08753
Team Randy, Inc., Board of Directors:
Ray Lynnworth, Volunteer Executive
732-914-9500, ext. 103, rlynnworth1(at) comcast.net
A New Jersey 501(C)(3) Non-Profit Corporation