Camp Fact Sheet
Wide Open Spaces
Our Mission: Provide education, training, and skills development to the children and adults with disabilities through participation in accessible outdoor activities.
Service Population
- Our camp is available at no cost to any person of any age with any disability and their families, friends, and caregivers.
- We serve both children and adults with developmental, physical, cognitive, sensory, and age-related disabilities including veterans of the United States Armed Services.
- We host groups of campers from vocational rehabilitation and residential agencies, support groups, school districts, families, and individuals.
Organization
- Why Not Now? Inc., doing business as Camp Big Sky, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization incorporated in May of 2000.
- Community based board of directors including people and parents of people with disabilities.
- Volunteers are the heart of our organization and donate their time and talents through camper support, construction, maintenance, and fundraising activities.
- Copies of Why Not Now Inc. most recently filed annual information returns (Tax Exempt Status, 990) are Available upon request.
Operations
- Camp Big Sky is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for day activities. 9am – 2pm
- Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays for overnight camping.
- Saturday day events are available for larger special group events by request.
- We offer all daytime activities at no cost to visitors.
- Overnight camping in cabins and tents is available for a nominal fee.
- Reservations are required for ALL visits and should be made online at www.campbigsky.org or by phone (309) 258-6383
- In addition to caregivers that accompany participants, our volunteers provide support services to assists campers when requested.
- We provide all equipment, facilities, supplies, and accommodations. Campers need only bring food and drink for their visit.
Accommodations
- All accommodations and activities are totally accessible including: trail ways, restrooms, picnic tables, boats, docks, campfire areas, swings, cabins, tents, pavilions, and our multipurpose building.
- We have three distinct activity areas with two lakes and a campground. Gas grills, a cook stove and oven, and propane refrigerators are available for cooking and food preservation.
- Water is available from our wells at the campground and at Bruce’s Lake.
Activities
- Learning Center & Lodge
- Fishing
- Recreational Boating
- Nature Study
- Arts & Crafts
- Kite Flying
- Overnight Camping
- Fossil Hunting
- Lawn Games
- Bocce Ball
- Camp Fires
- Cookouts
- Hiking
- Life Skills Education
- Hay Rack Rides
- Archery