Camp Operation Shine calls for more volunteers to support expansion after success supporting families

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A Nebraska summer camp is bursting at the seams, and they’re calling for more volunteers to help it grow.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary for the camp designed to help autistic kids develop social skills and experience joy.

Founder Aaron Bly came up with the idea for Operation Shine because he has two sons with autism, and it came together in just 6 months.

“We started the first year with 24 kids and 70 volunteers and its grown” says Bly.

This summer they reached their maximum capacity of 150 campers and roughly 450 volunteers. Bly says there is now a waiting list for campers to attend future camps.

“Really, it’s grown by word of mouth, other than the volunteers, we don’t advertise for little campers otherwise we would have a waiting list of 200, 300 families,” Bly said.

The foundation is hoping to expand but will need even more volunteers to maintain their 2:1 ratio with campers.

Tristin Christensen has been volunteering for five years and said the decision to continue each year has been fulfilling.

“You do just form such amazing bonds, and I never thought that would be possible, after just three days, to have such a close relationship with the little campers that I’ve had,” said Christensen.

The camp costs $350 dollars for the weekend, but fundraising help is available if needed.

Cris Peterson’s son Max has been attending camp for years and says the break it provides from her worries is priceless.

“What is he going to eat, what is he not going to eat? What is he going to drink, what is he not going to drink?” says Peterson, “Leaving him with someone is really hard.”

She said that her constant concerns melt away thanks to the Operation Shine volunteers.

“We can’t thank them enough, for just loving our kids, but also it gives us a break, and never once did I worry that he was okay, because I knew they got this down to a science” she said.

“As a foundation we’re really just trying to do whatever we can to support families,” said Bly.

He says the group plans to start family camps in the fall so that the entire family camp together.

“For parents to come together and talk and bond…so that they don’t feel so isolated and alone” he adds.

Operation Shine is holding a lottery for families to apply to be in their fall camps, with the drawing to be pulled in early July.