Camp WAMP 2007

The annual Camp Wamp group photo.

Camp Nejedly originally was started by California Senator John A. Nejedly from District 7. During his time in office he donated 80 acres of wilderness land in the Sierra Nevada’s for use as a summer camp for kids with physical challenges and challenged children. Giving them all the chance to experience the great outdoors, just like everyone else.

It all started for Steve Wampler when he was 9 years old. Born with cerebral palsy, Steve has been in a wheelchair ever since. He was 9 when his parents sent him on his first solo camping trip. Put on by Easter Seals, it was a weeklong camp for kids that were physically challenged at what was then called Camp Nejedly. He enjoyed it so much he continued to attend every year until he entered college. While in college, Easter Seals stopped the camp for the kids.

Everyone had the chance for a meet and greet at the staging area, before starting the trail run to Camp Wamp.

After graduating from U.C. Davis, he went on with his life and ended up having his own successful business in Coronado, California. He married Elizabeth over 10 years ago and they’ve formed a tight, supportive team at work planning corporate retreats and conventions, and at home, where they rear their kids, Charlotte and Joseph.

About five years ago he wondered what ever happened to the old camp where he had so much fun meeting other kids, playing games, learning how to deal with his life and camping on his own. He found it was still there but not being used for physically challenged kids program, and wondered who could step up and get it going again. The answer? It would be him leading the way. He talked to Elizabeth and she was behind him from day one.

With the assistance of the councilors loading went quickly.

He founded the Wheelchair Adventure Mountain Program and then started camp WAMP in the summer of 2004. Camp WAMP is located at the original site and continues to carry on the tradition that Senator Nejedly started. Steve had to find a way to transport all the supplies and kids to the camp. That’s when the Hills Angels 4x4 club from Nevada stepped up and made it happen. Last year, Hills Angels contacted the Diablo 4- Wheelers club and as usual with most any 4 wheel drive club, they stepped right up to help.