About Us
The Beginning
After our founder, Bill Peterson, lost his sight in a snowmobile accident in 1981, he became involved with several children while attending adult orientation at a school for the blind in Salt Lake City, Utah. One morning several adults were telling fish stories to one another. He turned to a nine year-old boy who was listening and asked him,
“What’s the biggest fish you’ve ever caught?”
His reply was I’ve never been fishing
. Bill didn’t believe that any child should not have the opportunity to go fishing or to participate in many of the activities he enjoyed as a child. From this chance encounter the idea for Palisade Pals was born.
The First Camp
In 1983 he invited the children to come to Palisade Lake in Sanpete County, Utah to go fishing with him. That excursion over 20 years ago began the first day camp for disabled children. We had fifteen people in attendance. From this small beginning to this year’s three camps, we have grown into a statewide organization reaching over ten thousand people. Today, the children enjoy riding a fire truck, train, hay wagon, and horses, along with golfing, swimming, and canoeing.
Unique Concept
Our camps are unique in that we include the participants entire family in the festivities. We feel mom and dad, brothers and sisters should be there to participate in the thrill of achievement and the excitement and success of their disabled family member.
Parents get the chance to interact with each other, children meet new friends both disabled and non-disabled and the volunteers learn that disabled individuals are just people too.
Currently
Since 1986 we have held at least two camps per year and have for the past ten years held at least three camps per year.
Our research shows that at each camp approximately 40% of attendees are first-time participants. We are constantly being asked to expand the number of camps. Currently we sponsor three camps per summer.
Program Expansion
It is our intention to expand our program and sponsor a camp every other month at several different locations around the state of Utah with varied fun and educational activities according to the season and facilities available. We will be incorporating many new ideas and will be reaching out to more participants and seeking more volunteers.
Recently, our founder, Bill Peterson presented the camps to Clark County School District in Nevada. He received a very favorable response making it possible to expand to the state of Nevada with a camp.