Members of the Bush family and officials from the Clinton County Foundation visited Wilmington College’s Equine Center this week to observe the fourth annual Therapeutic Riding Camp for several dozen children with disabilities. They also participated in a $14,500 check presentation photo representing the Bush Family’s support for this unique program promoting inclusiveness in the youth summer camp experience.
Mark Bush and his son, Joey, represented the Bush family, whose charitable fund is administered by the Clinton County Foundation, which was represented by Mark Kraus, executive director, and Lynn Deatherage, program manager. Joining them were WC President Corey Cockerill, Tammy Shadley vice president/chief alumni and advancement officer, and Erin Bales, director of the College’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.
The occupational therapy program partners annually with the College’s equestrian and agriculture programs to host the Therapeutic Riding Camp, a weeklong day camp, for children ages five through 17, that offers opportunities to ride horses and engage in crafts and outdoor activities.
PICTURED: The check presentation photo includes, from the left, Javonne Mullins, riding camp instructor: WC President Corey Cockerill; Mark Kraus, CCF executive director; Lucy Trout, 2026 WC graduate; Braylee Burkitt, WC student; Mark Bush; Hattie Hobbs, WC student; Joey Bush; and Erin Bales, camp director and occupational therapy program director.
Bales said the camp increases the availability of services in recreation and leisure for the area children and provides OT students with both a hands-on learning opportunity and a chance to give back to the community. The camp dovetails into the program’s rural focus. "It answers the question, 'How do we help kiddos?' Our program strives to prepare its students to become problem-solvers and to promote community-based health and wellness in unique ways,” she said. “Enhancing quality of life is a big thing in occupational therapy."
PICTURED: Some of the campers, staff and horses are pictured with the check presentation group.
Javonne Mullins, another of the camp’s staff and a former agriculture faculty member at WC, is an experienced therapeutic riding instructor. She explained the horses' movement has a "calming effect" and provides the riders with multi-sensory experiences involving touch, warmth, balance and coordination.
The Bush family’s gift in support of the Therapeutic Riding Camp, which covered the purchase of a storage unit for camp equipment, is their latest act of philanthropy involving the College. In the last year, they also provided grants in support of student mental health initiatives and financially assisted a dozen Wilmington College students engaged in research projects as capstones to the science curriculum.
The Clinton County Foundation is a community foundation providing charitable investing and local grants that enable people and nonprofits to make a lasting and positive impact in the community. Its website is: <www.clintoncountyohiofoundation.org>.
TOP PHOTO: The Bush family's gift to the College's Therapeutic Riding Camp allowed for the purchase of this equipment storage unit at the Equine Center. Pictured from the left are: Javonne Mullins, riding camp instructor; WC President Corey Cockerill; Mark Kraus, CCF executive director; Joey Bush: Mark Bush; and Erin Bales, occupational therapy program director.