YMCAChicago.org recently spotlighted inclusive outdoor experiences for youth, which gave Associate Jason Kuffel, Executive Director for YMCA’s Camp Duncan, Camp Independence, and Camp Pinewood, the chance to share more about this important programming.
Associate Jason Kuffel, Executive Director for YMCA Camp Duncan and two other camps
The article describes how the camp facilities and specially trained staff support young people with Tourette syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome disorder, diabetes, burn wounds, and more, and how Camp Duncan is ready to partner with more groups to provide these supportive experiences for kids.
The Viatorian Community identifies who society is marginalizing and responds by accompanying and serving people. Jason connects these dots to his work through his organization’s fundamental priority on creating access for youth people. “At YMCA Camp Duncan, inclusion begins with listening. We work closely with medical partners, families, and caregivers to understand each camper’s needs, and then we intentionally adapt our facilities, staffing, schedules, and programming to ensure safety, dignity, and belonging,” Jason said. “Accessibility isn’t an add-on for us, it’s built into how we plan, train, and welcome. Our goal is simple: every camper should feel seen, supported, and able to fully participate in the joy of camp.”
Br. Peter Lamick, CSV (left, red shirt), and Fr. Jhobany Orduz, CSV (left, blue polo), join Mr. Jim Dippold, CRSM Director of Campus Ministry (center in light blue shirt), and the seniors on retreat at Camp Duncan in the 2024-25 school year.
The opportunities at Camp Duncan help young people with special needs simply get to be campers, because they can safely play and grow, knowing whatever support and help they may need is close at hand.
While the organization is not a Viatorian ministry, characteristics of this work fit neatly with our Viatorian spirit. “As a Viatorian, this work feels deeply familiar. Our charism calls us to stand with those who are sometimes overlooked and to recognize the dignity of every person. While this is not a Church-based role, the mission is the same: to accompany, to serve, and to create communities where people know they matter,” Jason said.
Jason does keep connected with Viatorians in the region, socially and through regional community events, like our Advent prayer service, and he has also hosted Cristo Rey St. Martin retreat groups at Camp Duncan. Then, in addition to those touchstones, he lives out the charism by his work. “Enacting this through the YMCA allows me to live out Viatorian values in a tangible, everyday way ensuring that those who might be considered ‘less important’ by society are, in fact, placed at the very center of our work.”