Air Force Now (segment)

Year Published: 1980

Creator: U.S. Air Force

Description: This 1980 segment from "Air Force Now", a USAF news magazine program, showcases Camp Wilford Hall, a special summer camp created by the Air Force for children with medical and physical disabilities. The film follows the origins and purpose of the camp, started in 1980 by staff at Wilford Hall Medical Center with support from the Air Force Aid Society. It's not clear when the camp closed, but Wilford Hall was shuttered in 2011. 00:00 Main titles. Summer camp is described as a place for friendships and fun, but many handicapped children do not have access to such experiences. 1:12–1:28 Staff at Wilford Hall Medical Center, with Air Force Aid Society support, created a special camp in 1980 for handicapped children. 1:28–1:38 Captain Dr. Chris Johnson is introduced as one of the camp’s key founders. 1:38–2:04 Johnson explains the camp’s “four Rs”: recreation, respite for parents, rehabilitation through therapy staff, and reorientation for teenagers. 2:04–2:48 He describes how many children had never been away from home and how the camp helps them gain new experiences. 2:48–3:11 A teenage volunteer explains initial fear of working with disabled children but says she quickly realized they are just like anyone else. 3:11–3:47 Colonel Dr. Robert Dimus explains the range of medical problems the camp addresses and how the camp provides recreation and relief for families. 3:47–4:15 Some children will recover from their illnesses; the camp helps them experience normal childhood activities. 4:15–4:45 For physically handicapped children, the camp allows medical staff to observe them and improve rehabilitation plans. 4:45–5:33 Dimus describes the volunteers—especially teenagers—as the backbone of the program, along with medical technicians, NCOs, and strong Air Force support. 5:33–5:46 He notes the Air Force’s concern for its people and says the camp is a dream that successfully came together. 5:46–6:18 A playful mock “courtroom” scene shows campers and volunteers having fun together. 6:18–6:52 A parent explains how the camp helps her son understand his disability and relate to others with similar or worse challenges. 6:52–7:33 Another parent says the camp has made her daughter more independent and has helped her trust her child’s abilities. 7:33–7:56 A camper named Andy says camp is good but he misses his mother. 7:56–8:14 Andy hopes the camp continues for many years so more handicapped children can experience it. 8:14–8:48 The camp has been a major success, with plans for more week‑long and weekend sessions in the future. 8:48–end Closing music and lyrics accompany images of campers, emphasizing unity, joy, and shared experiences.

Online Copy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oe5I05ZD18

Metadata Source:YouTube