COLLIER CITIZEN

Aquatic therapy: Freedom Waters takes campers with disabilities on a cruise

Ashley Collins
Naples

The calm Naples Bay water and the nearly cloudless sky provided the perfect therapy for children with disabilities.

Devin Stockner, 15, a city of Naples summer camper, smiles as he maneuvers a Pure Florida boat under the captain's supervision on July 13, 2017.

"I love boats. They're so fast," said 15-year-old Shayla Damas as she stood at the bow of a Pure Florida cruise.

On July 13, Damas, along with nearly 20 summer campers, rode on a two-story boat called Double Sunshine for a two-hour ride hosted by the Freedom Waters Foundation.

From Tin City to the Gulf, campers encountered bottle-nosed dolphins, waterfront mansions and friendly Freedom Waters Foundation volunteers.

Carol Phillips, 12, with the city of Naples summer camp, gets some sun at the bow of a Pure Florida boat. The Freedom Waters Foundation, a nonprofit that aids children with disabilities through marine-related activities, hosted the therapeutic day camp on July 13, 2017.

Some children got a chance to steer the boat under the captain's supervision. 

Freedom Waters Foundation, a nonprofit which is made up of more than 200 volunteers, hosts boating events year-round for people with disabilities or life-threatening illnesses, children who are at-risk and veterans.

The nonprofit partnered with Pure Florida and the city of Naples summer camp that Thursday to make the boating trip possible. 

Many campers, between the ages of 13 to 22, explored every square inch of the boat from bow to stern. 

Teen girls get rare chance to fish from boat during annual Heels and Reels event in Naples

Kennedy Seaman, 14, bravely walked up to the bow with volunteers, but retreated back to her seat quickly after.

Dorothy Marshall, co-director of the city's summer camp, said field trips like this benefit their campers greatly.

City of Naples summer campers and volunteers head out to Naples Bay on a Pure Florida boat. The Freedom Waters Foundation, a non-profit that aids children with disabilities through marine-related activities, hosted the therapeutic day camp on July 13, 2017.

"We don't treat (these children) different because they have special needs. Whatever a normal kid does, they do," Marshall said.

Freedom Waters volunteer Michael Smith, 71, talked to many of the campers and joined them on the bow to watch boats and homes go by.

The Vietnam War veteran and retired lawyer said he learned about the Freedom Waters Foundation when he participated in a marine-related event for veterans several years ago.

After that, he felt compelled to become a volunteer.

"My favorite part is to see the smiles on their faces and brighten up their day," he added.

Reel fun: Vets fish, form bonds at Freedom Waters event

Freedom Water Foundation volunteer Connie Nagele points out something to Devin Stocker, 15, on a Pure Florida boat. The Freedom Waters Foundation, a non-profit that aids children with disabilities through marine-related activities, hosted the therapeutic day camp on July 13, 2017.

Volunteer Diana Moore is also a veteran. She served with the Army Nurse Corps from 1995 to 2003.

For the past four years, Moore has given her time to Freedom Waters, with a mission to help children and adults, especially veterans. 

"The new young veterans coming back from Iraq, a lot of them are broken. When they come to the water, they completely change," she said. 

City of Naples summer campers and volunteers watch houses and boats go by on a Pure Florida boat cruise down Naples Bay.

Freedom Waters Foundation

» www.freedomwatersfoundation.org/

» 239-263-2377

The Freedom Waters Foundation, a non-profit that aids children with disabilities through marine-related activities, hosted a therapeutic day camp on a Pure Florida boat on July 13, 2017.