[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 CAMPHILL ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA CELEBRATES ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT S. WALKER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 1994

  Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, the Camphill Association of North America 
celebrates its 10th anniversary in the spring of 1994. The Camphill 
Association represents seven Camphill communities in North America 
working with developmentally disabled children and adults.
  Camphill communities are places where people work together for the 
common good, care for and heal the land, and provide a meaningful life 
for mentally and physically handicapped children and adults. These 
communities are based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, 1861-1925, 
which were put into practice by Dr. Karl Koenig, 1902-66, together with 
a small group of like-minded friends. From Camphill's beginning in 
Scotland in 1939, there are now 80 independent Camphill communities in 
16 countries. Of the seven in North America, there are two Camphill 
communities in upstate New York, one in Minnesota, and one near 
Toronto. The three Camphill communities I am familiar with are in 
Chester County, southeastern Pennsylvania.
  All persons living in Camphill centers, regardless of handicap, are 
contributing members of the communities. The economy of the Camphill 
centers provides no personal remuneration. Individual financial needs 
are met from the income of each community. In Camphill there are no 
``clients'' being ``served by providers.'' Each has his/her tasks; all 
have the dignity of self-worth. The spiritual side of life is nurtured 
through nondenominational services, celebration of festivals, concerts, 
plays, common and individual study, folk dancing, course work, and many 
other activities.
  In combination, the three Camphill communities in southeastern 
Pennsylvania comprise nearly 600 acres with roughly 300 people, 
approximately half of whom are developmentally disabled. Many more 
individuals are directly involved in Camphill as board members, 
parents, friends, and supporters. Camphill Special School serving 
children with special needs started up in 1961; Kimberton Hills, an 
agricultural community with disabled adults, began its work in 1973; 
and Camphill Soltane, a college and life skills training center and 
community house living option for disabled young people aged 18 and up, 
began its program in 1988.
  Camphill Special Schools provides a unique, integrated, residential, 
therapeutic and academic program for special children ages 5-21. Day 
students are also served by the school. Camphill Kimberton Hills is a 
farming and gardening community, with disabled adults, focusing on 
regenerative agriculture and providing vegetables, dairy, baked goods, 
fruit and meat products to the community and to many families and 
organizations in the surrounding area. Camphill Soltane integrates a 
dynamic ``college'' and life skills training program with a vocational 
emphasis for young 18 to 25, adults with disabilities, focusing also on 
apprenticeships, job placements, and residential options in the 
extended community.
  The Camphill communities have been recognized and acclaimed at 
national and local levels as an innovative, alternative model for 
living and working with disabled individuals. In Chester County, the 
three Camphill centers make a significant contribution to their 
surrounding communities, providing food, cultural activities, training 
opportunities, and interactive and volunteer options for many hundreds 
of people every year.
  The Camphill Association and each constituent community celebrate the 
10th anniversary of the Association's success in extending Camphill's 
services and resources to an ever growing number of persons with 
disabilities and to the citizens of Chester County and beyond.
  As living, learning, and working options for people with disabilities 
evolve in the next years, and as funding methods change to meet human 
needs, the Camphill communities serve as a highly viable and cost 
effective model for ensuring and enhancing relationships and a way of 
life that are essential to the well-being of disabled individuals in 
the years to come.
  I congratulate the Camphill Association for a decade of quality 
service and commitment to persons with disabilities, and to 
Pennsylvania, and to the other parts of the country where the Camphill 
communities contribute so essentially to their surroundings.

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