Friendship Venture Dba Childrens Disability Service

Friendship Ventures was founded by parents in 1964 to offer their children with mental retardation outdoor experiences like other children. Our mission is to provide therapeutic and recreational activities for children with developmental disabilities and a respite for their families. Programs are residential, and for children they include year-round respite care weekends and summer and winter camp. Programs are offered at three sites; in the Twin Cities, Central Minnesota and Northern Minnesota. 2,233 children (and adults also) from all over Minnesota and other Midwest states participate in programs. In addition to developmental disabilities, participants also may have physical disabilities or chronic medical problems, autism, cerebral palsy, one of an array of syndromes (Down, Tourette) or a combination of multiple handicaps. We serve individuals whose disabilities range from mild to severe. All Friendship Ventures programs are designed to offer new experiences to children, as well as build their skills and capacities. Program activities focus on providing outdoor experiences, fostering an appreciation of nature, combining the fun and therapeutic benefits of art and music, improving social skills and having fun.
Friendship Ventures offers therapeutic and recreational programs to improve the skills and independence of children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities. Programs, including summer and winter resident camps and weekend respite care, benefit participants by capitalizing on the therapeutic aspects of typical camp activities like swimming, arts & crafts, music and hiking. We treat each participant with respect and focus on their skills and abilities rather than their disabilities. Programs are offered at Camp Friendship in Annandale, Minn., at Eden Wood Center in Eden Prairie, Minn. and at Camp New Hope in McGregor, Minn.

Friendship Ventures offers therapeutic and recreational programming for children with developmental disabilities. Participants may have autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD), physical disabilities, visual or hearing impairments or a combination of multiple disabilities. A variety of offerings within creative programs, including summer and winter camp and weekend respite care, fit an array of needs and disabilities. Programs build self-esteem, provide unique vacation opportunities and teach life-enhancing skills to 1,029 children from Minnesota and other Midwest states. While benefiting the child, programs also help their parents, offering them a respite from the constant, stressful care of their child.

In 1964, Arc of Minnesota and a group of parents began Camp Friendship as a summer camp for children with mental retardation. They converted a resort in Annandale into a resident camp. Although camp was created to benefit the children, their parents appreciated the respite they gained during camp. To benefit parents throughout the year, Friendship Ventures began the Creative Options Respite Care program in 1986. This year-round program extends a weekend at camp to the child and a break to their family.

Friendship Ventures added a second site, Eden Wood Center in Eden Prairie, in 1995, and took over operation of Camp New Hope in McGregor in June 2005 to offer programs in Northern Minnesota.

The mission of Friendship Ventures is to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities, their families and other caregivers, by providing services to educate and support individuals in achieving their highest level of self-worth, independence and participation in the community. Through this same mission, Friendship Ventures reaches out to the public to help educate all people about the value and rewards of adding to our diversity by having people with disabilities working and living in our communities.