ABC film crew at Hickory Hill

BATH - AN ABC "Primetime" television crew recently visited The Wellness G.I.F.T.S. camping retreat program at Hickory Hill Camping Resort as part of an upcoming program on Tourette's Syndrome.

The resort was the setting for a camping retreat that focused on children suffering from Tourette's Syndrome. Four children were selected from hundreds of applicants

be featured in the ABC program: two children from Naples and Canandaigua, a young woman from Alabama and a young man from Idaho, who were flown in especially for the camping retreat at Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort.

More than 100 people attended the retreat with special assistance from Keuka College Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Education students.

The ABC crew shot footage that will show the daily challenges these children have dealing with tics such as eye blinking, repeated throat clearing, arm thrusting, kicking movements, shoulder shrugging, or verbal sounds. The Tourette's syndrome is a genetic trait that is more dominant in boys than girls. The tics often become worse with stress, but thankfully decrease as the children get older.

The Tourette's camping retreat is one of four retreats that have been hosted by the Wellness G.I.F.T.S. non-profit organization in Bath this summer. The other retreats brought together over 75 families who have children with special needs related to autism, attention deficits, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, and other neurological challenges. Volunteers from many area colleges including Ithaca College, Keuka College, Corning Community College, Cornell University, Alfred University and Americorps workers provided valuable respite care for the children. This time allowed the parents to network, attend educational workshops or relax and enjoy a massage on-site at the Finger Lakes Wellness Center and Health Spa. Many of the families now return every year to connect with friends, learn new information and have fun. As one child stated, "I want to live here!"

The Wellness G.I.F.T.S. retreats are a unique entity that support families who have children with special needs.

Retreats for 2008 are already half-booked. Volunteers are always needed. Call 776-3737 or check out twww.GiftsRetreats.com for additional information.