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AmeriCorps helps Indian Trails Camp prepare for summer

Posted at 6:12 PM, May 20, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-20 18:12:54-04

GRAND RAPIDS -- A summer camp on Grand Rapids' west side got a makeover today -- just in time for their busy summer season.

More than a hundred volunteers from AmeriCorps spent the day painting cabins, creating murals, cleaning the grounds and building benches at Indian Trails Camp.

"It's really exciting," says AmeriCorps volunteer Haley Vos. "We got to hear a little bit about what the camp does, and just seeing everything I think it's really helped inspire people and like know they are making a difference."

All of today's volunteers at Indian Trails are from West Michigan. Their efforts were part of the 'Russ Mawby Signature Service Project,' which sends volunteers to various Michigan locations for one day of intensive work.

Indian Trails Camp sees over 500 campers come through each summer. Officials at the camp say today's help was really appreciated.

"We serve adults and children with all kinds of disabilities," says Jessica Pollins, Community Coordinator at Indian Trails Camp. "Some may use a wheelchair, some may use a walker. So it's just really important that we have clean grounds and paths for our campers."

Pollins adds this was one of the largest groups of volunteers she's ever seen at the camp.