I’m sure at your’ normal’ camp there were kids there called ‘”counsellors in training” just slightly older than the campers, those were the kids who were learning to be counsellors and developing leadership skills.

I am legally blind and worked at a camp for disabled children, I had no problem keeping an eye on them. I had to leave due to a mitigating health problem ,but I went on to become a teacher of special ed kids as well as a regular substitute classroom teacher. Now I’m a legally blind journalist.

Disabled people have the right to work at and train for any kind of job who will hire them.

Just like you they need to be taught what their strengths and weaknesses are .

Oh and I’m grateful I never had you for a cit under me , you would have been gone alot earlier than you were.

As for the people being “poor” could do with the fact that Human Services may have funded these camps, and will usually encourage families who seek there support and services to attend these camps. The exclusive camp for low income families, was due the families not normally being able to afford holidays or even regular respite due to high cost and fees.

If person is born into a poor family, and they have a disability, they are less likely to receive as much support services, as the family who has money, which will afford them better support services. Hence the low income camps.

As for the staff being poor and some with disabilities, well I commend the camp managers for employing disabled & poor people. Equal rights and opportunity.

Edit:
Disabled people in a “bad light” just what does that mean.

People with a disability are NOT BAD, and nor are they EVIL. They are regular people with the same thoughts and feelings as you or I, they just have an physical or cognitive impairment, which hinders their day to day living.

Camp leaders have to start some where, and the earlier they have hands on experience the better they are for gaining a job as camp leader, when the they have gained qualifications. Also what a better way of finding out if this is the type of work your wanting to specialise in.

I have seen quite a few young people come in as volunteers and then eventually go on to full time jobs after gaining relevant qualifications.
I have also seen small number who have not come back after completing a program with the disabled people. Possibly for the same reason you have, or they found it to hard or distressing, either way its ok.

I bet your richer for having spent a little time with the disabled children, and have a better appreciation of how difficult it really it is for some of them.

Not all people are capable of looking after child.