Dan Markel, a director of Petroleum Valley Youth Camp in Chicora, has started a fundraiser to make the facility more accessible to people with disabilities. Molly Miller/Butler Eagle

Dan Markel, a director of Petroleum Valley Youth Camp in Chicora, has a vision for the facility he operates: to make it more accessible to people with disabilities.

Markel was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and has been in a wheelchair since childhood. He said the camp is not suited for those with wheelchairs or other disabilities, which is why he started the PVYC Accessibility Project.

“If you’re in a wheelchair and you want to use the restroom, you just can’t,” he said. “The goal is to make it a place where kids can come with handicap needs.”

Adding accessibility to the restroom, shower, parking, sidewalks and recreational center would cost $54,000. The Accessibility Project fundraising website already has raised $20,000.

Markel has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and has been in a wheelchair since childhood. His initiative to make Petroleum Valley Youth Camp wheelchair accessible has raised $20,000 so far. Molly Miller/Butler Eagle

“The community is really coming together and donating,” he said.

Markel hopes that making the camp more accessible will mean that more kids with disabilities would attend.

“We had 120 kids last year. I’m really hoping more kids who are in wheelchairs will come, but we also want to keep it open to nursing homes so they can use the facilities,” he said.

The camp offers community events such as movie nights, concerts, sporting events and fishing tournaments during the summer season. Having accessible facilities will help accommodate a wide range of groups, Markel said.

The camp offers activities such volleyball, arts and crafts, and kayaking to kids for eight weeks from June to August.

“Kids can learn the values of life and how to make friends, how to treat each other, and it helps with their physical wellness,” he said.

Despite the camp being hard to navigate for someone with disabilities, Markel said it’s a beautiful space surrounded by nature.

“I have a hard time getting around (the camp), and there’s no disabled kids there. I thought it’d be nice to have them involved too. I thought it’d be a great thing to raise money, and I’d be their perfect advocate because I have experience with accessibility,” he said. “I want (it) to be a more accessible environment so all can use the facility.”

To donate to the PVYC Accessibility Project, visit www.gopvyc.weebly.com and click “Accessibility Project.”