PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — For the 27th year, PACK summer camp is now in session.

What You Need To Know

  • PACK, Pasco Association for Challenged Kids, started in 1997

  • The summer camp takes in kids with disabilities that other camps can’t

  • PACK relies on state funding to keep it affordable for families and they also accept donations

PACK stands for the "Pasco Association for Challenged Kids." The camp takes in kids with disabilities that other camps can’t.

The camp was founded by Paula and Barry Cohen in 1997. Their son with autism, Gregory, needed a place to spend the summer and so they started the camp.

“We said that Gregory can’t be the only special needs kid who needs something to do in the summer. And 27 years later, I guess we were right,” Barry Cohen said.

Now nearly 30 years later, they still keep the camp going as its need continues to grow in Pasco County.

This summer, PACK has 40 campers in a three-week session at Pepin Academies in New Port Richey.

Kids that need constant attention are able to get it. They get to take part in lots of activities with one goal: Just to have fun.

PACK relies on some state funding to keep it affordable for families and they also accept donations.

Cohen says they hope to keep it going as long as they can to help with the needs in the community.

“Can’t believe we’ve been doing it for that long. A lot of kids need this service in Pasco County. So we’re glad we can still do it,” Cohen said.