Value proposition

The Stephen J. Wampler Foundation mission provides life-changing outdoor experiences to physically disabled children.

(The Wampler Way) The Stephen J. Wampler Foundation mission is to “provide life changing outdoor educational experiences to physically disabled children”. These wilderness education programs teach physically challenged children self-confidence and motivation leading to increased optimism for higher education and overcoming their physical challenges they inevitably face in life.

The programs at Deer Lake in the Sierra’s near Lake Tahoe will focus on outdoor education and help kids with physical disabilities feel comfortable in a wilderness setting. During the 7-day long programs, all kids learn how to fish, canoe, build shelters, identify flora and fauna, sleep under the stars and learn various survival skills. Each day there is a set curriculum offering a variety of different activities throughout the day. At the end of each day the child is presented a challenge of some sort where the child has to apply what they learned either that day or the days before to be exempt from camp chores. At the conclusion of the week long program, the kids come away with an increased self-confidence, new skills, a love of the outdoors, and a set of positive memories and experiences that help propel them to greater engagement and purpose in their lives.



The experiences that our children have are transformative, changing their motor skill level, capabilities, and attitudes. As one child stated, “I now realize that I’m NOT just disabled, I’ve got so many things to do and accomplish!” The objectives and outcomes of the programs, for each child, include:

Open the world of environmental awareness and appreciation of the natural surroundings
Encourage higher education
Increase overall physical, leisure, and social capabilities
Develop physical competencies
Develop compensating skills and confidence
Develop outdoor experiences and skills
Foster emotional, social, and physical independence
Develop a sense of personal worth and self-acceptance

Stephen J. Wampler