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When a college-going Rachel Smith went look- ing for a resource room to study for her statistics test but found a volunteer or- ganization meeting about a camp for children with disabilities, she stayed out of embarrassment. By the end of the meeting, she signed up to volunteer out of guilty obligation. "I had never worked with someone with a disability in my whole life," Smith said. "I ended up going to the weekend camp and it was the best weekend of my life." As Smith leads a tour through the now-open Camp Acacia, a summer camp that sprawls 22 acres and facilitates everything from biking to kayaking for children and adults with mental, physical and social disabilities, she says getting to build and run her own facility is "surreal." "I'm so excited," Smith said. "I'm dripping with privilege and I know it — nobody gets this. So mostly I just feel honored and privileged that I get to do this for these families. So often kids with diverse abilities end up with the least best version of stuff. They're going to find a place they get the best stuff and this is that place." Camp Acacia is located at 9345 WPA Road in Gen - try at what was formerly Camp Joshua. Smith pur- chased the land and began renovations last year. The daughter of former Tyson CEO Donnie Smith, Rachel Smith is no stranger to responsibility, leader - ship and management. Prior to pursuing Camp Acacia, she was able to refine those skills during employment with both Tyson and Walmart. How - ever, her family does one thing together that she's taken to heart — serve oth- ers. Because of her father's work in Africa, work Rachel herself has had a hand in, Rachel went so far as to name her facility after deeply-rooted African tra - ditions that mean a pledge is a pledge, and she's going to see hers through. "We've made this prom- ise to Northwest Arkansas that we're going to create a place that you can better engage through recreation with your family," Smith said. "Every choice I make, I ask myself — is this help - ing us reach our goal? If it's not, why am I making this choice?" Camp Acacia serves chil- dren and adults, ages 6 to 22, with diverse abilities, a definition developed by Smith to take attention away from one's disabilities and redirect it to the foun - dational principles that she says just need to be taught. Smith has chosen to do that through recreational therapy. "I'm 33. If I took a physical right now, I'd get pretty average results for a 33-year-old woman. If a 33-year-old person with autism took that exact same physical, on aver - age they're going to come out to say a 53-year-old woman. It's all lifestyle fac- tors — it has nothing to do with their diagnosis." A potentially sedentary lifestyle is compounded by a family's financial status and the cost of adaptive equipment, Smith said. For example, a boy's, Trek brand mountain bike being used at Camp Acacia this summer could retail for $489.99 to $519.99 via trekbikes.com. For some - one with diverse abili- ties, the same bike can be purchased but may need to be outfitted with something like FatWheels, a stabilizing set of wheels for someone with balance or sensory issues. A set of FatWheels for a 24- to 29- inch bike is $199.95 prior to taxes and shipping. Smith says the conflict is so widespread she's work - ing on partnering with or- ganizations like FatWheels to provide discounted, adaptive equipment so families are able to take ad- vantage of recreational ac- tivities like biking without worrying about potential financial barriers. She's applied the same principle to the funding model in place for children and families who attend Camp Acacia. Pricing is based on a family's income and merges with a scholar - ship system to determine cost of attending camp. Much of the equipment currently at Camp Aca- cia was purchased, and some even installed, by Rachel Smith's father, Don- nie, along with purchases Siloam Proud 8C n Wednesday, June 26, 2019 Siloam Springs Herald-Leader Hwy. 16 • 1 mile south from 412 Bypass Behind DaySpring - Siloam Springs 479-524-9213 RogeRs Automotive 875 S. Dogwood St. • Siloam Springs 479-373-6608 • Commercial • Auto Glass/Chip Repair • Residential • Shower Doors & Mirrors 721 E. MAIN ST. • SILOAM SPRINGS 524-0553 EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE We're always here and ready to serve you for your auto glass needs. Sierra Bush/Herald-Leader Camp Acacia founder Rachel Smith speaks with a camper during a session focused on music. Smith founded the camp in 2018 as a personal project to create a summer camp experience for children with mental, physical and emotional disabilities. Sierra Bush/Herald-Leader Founder of Camp Acacia Rachel Smith, center, talks with a camp counselor, left, during a dance party while the cabin group lions decide which song they want to dance to next. Sierra Bush/Herald-Leader Camp Acacia founder Rachel Smith, center, speaks with a camper, left, and a camp counselor, right, before the camper returns to the creek to catch another fish. Smith founded the camp in 2018 as a personal project to create a summer camp experience for children with mental, physi- cal and emotional disabilities. Smith brings dream to life with Camp Acacia By Sierra Bush Staff Writer n sbush@nwadg.com See SMITH on Page 12C 4 Tax Preparation 4 Bookkeeping Diane Morris | Valerie Cavness | Kelly Morris Over 30 Years in The same LOcaTiOn! 925 S. Mt. Olive, Siloam Springs 479-524-5307 • morristax.biz The IRS does not endorse any particular individual tax return preparer. • For more information on tax return preparers go to IRS.gov. 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