Teen Rides 100 Miles in Wheelchair to Raise Funds for Bay Cliff Health Camp

This summer, plenty of parents are taking their kids to summer camp. But this year, rather than ride in the car with his parents, 14-year-old Gene Fletcher decided to make his entrance in a unique way: by riding the entire 100-mile journey from his Michigan home to Bay Cliff Health Camp in his motorized wheelchair, with his parents and a group of supporters traveling alongside him.

Gene, who has scoliosis and cerebral palsy, decided to take on this ambitious trek as a way to raise money and awareness for Bay Cliff Health Camp, where he has been an enthusiastic camper for the last six years.

“Through a daily combination of daily physical, occupational, speech and music therapies as well as instruction for the hearing and visually impaired, the staff and volunteers help all of us accomplish our goals toward greater independence,” Gene writes on his blog. “We spend seven weeks each summer having fun and learning new skills. Bay Cliff is our summer home.”

Bay Cliff has been in operation for over 75 years, and serves 180 campers with varying disabilities each summer. In spite of their disabilities, campers have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of traditional summer camp activities, including boating, swimming, dances, and much more. The camp is a nonprofit organization, and relies on sponsorships from corporations, foundations, and generous donors to help its campers year after year.

“By pushing, pulling or riding under my own power, this four day trip will be an adventure that will last me a lifetime and allow me to give back to a program that means so much to so many,” wrote Gene.

Thanks to his hard work, their mission’s gotten a little easier this summer: through his 100-mile trek, he was able to bring in over $20,000 in donations to Bay Cliff Health Camp. Now, that his journey is complete, he’s enjoying his time at Bay Cliff, secure in the knowledge that he’s been able to help them grow.

How you can help: Though Gene has finished his 100-mile wheelchair ride, Bay Cliff Health Camp is happy to accept donations to support their programs. Make a contribution to the group through Razoo.