Long-time NASCAR fans know that the stretch of I-85 between Charlotte and Greensboro has been the home of many famous racing teams and families and perhaps none more famous than Richard Petty’s clan in Randleman about halfway between Greensboro and Asheboro.
Yes, you can visit the Richard Petty Museum in town and see The King’s old stomping grounds but the most special place is just south of town and it’s called Victory Junction. They are a summer camp that specializes in giving an amazing experience to kids with all sorts of special needs.
Let me say that again…amazing!
This year, Alex is spending most of this week about 90 miles west of us in Randleman and it is the first time he has been away from home or family and we’d be lying if we didn’t admit that he was a bit nervous about that idea as we were as well. You hear stories about how awesome they are but still…this is our special guy and we don’t entrust his care to just anyone.
And then we arrived at Victory Junction yesterday and our worries were pretty much gone by the time we came down the entrance and saw just how special this place is. The staff to a person is outstanding and positive. OK, they had Alex when they mentioned the magic words dessert and Krispy Kreme doughnuts but it was the small touches that you noticed like the valet service that delivered his luggage to his cabin whilst we were off getting a tour of the main facility.
When you get to Victory Circle where most of the pavilions are located, two things are readily apparent…this place goes way beyond first class and the Who’s Who of the NASCAR world have really invested quite a bit to make it as special a place for the campers to visit as is humanly possible. If you live in Orlando long enough, you learn quickly that Disney constantly sets an almost impossibly high standard for everyone else to try to match…these guys would give Disney a run for their money!
After a brief tour and check-in, it was time to head off to the Texas cabin which is at the top of the hill in the red unit. All of the cabins are named after the various racetracks on the NASCAR circuit and they are kitted out quite comfortably complete with his own gas pump and steel locker at the foot of the bed. And to show you that even the smallest detail isn’t missed…there’s a stuffed friend and blanket already waiting for him to help him with any homesickness.
Though honestly, I have to wonder if he’s going to know remember who we are or want to come home on Thursday. The activities that they have available (all of which are accessible to those of all sorts of abilities) will blow you a way…a lovely pool, a theatre, bowling alley, three-story accessible tree house, fishing and canoes (with the rule that if you catch a fish, you have to kiss it (or have your counselor kiss it!) and release).
Unfortunately for the rest of us, the time had come that we had to leave and Alex was starting to figure out that we weren’t going to be staying for real but he was awful brave with no tears…well, braver than *I* was, anyway. I don’t think it’d be a problem…he had already met two new friends (and you know how he is the affable one!) as well as the counselors and he couldn’t be in better hands with people who really care about kids just like him.
If you’ve got a kid with special needs and you want them to have that once-in-a-lifetime experience at a summer camp…this is the place for them! Kids come from all over the country to hang out with the Petty family during the summer and we were fortunate that he’s one of them! You can’t go there and not see the heart and soul and generosity of the NASCAR family and Adam’s spirit making Victory Junction a truly special place.
When we finally got home…yeah, it felt weird knowing he was 90 miles west of Raleigh staying in camp like the big boy he is. But knowing he’s going to have the time of his life these next few days makes it much easier and we can’t wait to hear his stories when he comes home!
