History

In 1971, Jane Hanneken, professionally known to her friends as “Mitch” founded Camp Happy Day under the IRS code 501 (c) (3). This 7 week summer program was designed to meet the needs of children with Learning Disabilities, Behavior Disorders, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders, Speech/Language Impairments and slight characteristics of Autism in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Academic Excellence & Achievement

Camp Happy Day's mission is to provide an ongoing learning program for children 4-14 with special needs. This enables them to retain previously learned skills while promoting self esteem in a positive and exciting environment.

An individualized academic program is developed for each student based upon his/her level of performance. Pre/post testing is administered to determine the present level of functioning and measure academic gains. Parents and professionals are ecstatic with the children's success. Students not only retain skills, but often academic growth is evident. Parents often comment, “My child(ren) learned skills at Camp Happy Day that they did not learn during the school year.

Activities

The summer is filled with a variety of exciting activities. Campers participate in archery, games, roller skating, hockey, and outdoor education. Each summer the activities change. Additional activities include caving, rappelling, swimming and fishing. The last week is an experience of a lifetime for the students when they participate in Olympic events consisting of swimming, bowling, rope climbing and relays. The week culminates with a picnic and awards ceremony.

Camp Facts

Camp Happy Day is held from 8:30am to 12:15pm, Monday through Friday. Camp uses Word of Life Lutheran School facilities at Eichelberger and Jamieson in St. Louis Hills. Campers receive instruction in Reading, Math, Arts/Crafts and Physical Education 4 days each week. Speech/language therapy is available for those in need. Students are grouped by chronological age rather then ability. Academic staff members hold masters degrees in special education. Classes are composed of 10 campers with one teacher and one or two group leaders. We serve children from the entire metropolitan area: 66% city residents, 31% county, and 2% from out of state. Enrollment is open to children regardless of race, color or creed.

Camp Happy Day is a not-for-profit organization that depends upon the generosity of friends, corporations, and service clubs for support. Tuition assistance is provided for qualifying students when funding is available.

For more information contact Sue Simons, M.A., Executive Director or Mitch Hanneken M.A., Founder/Director Emeriti at 314.352.5272 or 314.832.0289