
10/07/2025
What better way to launch Throwback Thursdays than with a nod to Camp Wildwood—just as camp is back in session!
Camp Wildwood began in the early 1970s as an inclusive camp for children with disabilities and their neurotypical peers, often siblings. Its mission: to make summer fun, accessible, and meaningful for everyone.
You may know today’s custom-designed pool built for safety and participation—but in the early days, the aquatic fun looked a little different... This photo shows our original setup: three above-ground pools of varying depths, connected by wooden planks. A lifeguard named Phil Helferdie—better known at camp as Phil DaPoole—walked the planks to keep everyone safe.
Here’s to the creativity and care that have defined Wildwood from the very beginning!