ABOUT OUR CAMP

Millions of Americans are drawn to the outdoors, enjoying the wonders of the natural world. Many of us grew up fishing, hunting, camping, boating, hiking and participating in any number of other outdoor activities. We sometimes, if not always, take our ability to be active in the outdoors for granted. However, one in five Americans are not able to experience the outdoors due to a disability which restricts their access to these activities. Furthermore, painfully few public and private venues for outdoor opportunities are accessible, thereby excluding those with a disability from participating.

The mission of Why Not Now Incorporated is to provide accessible fishing, camping, boating and other related outdoor opportunities to children and adults with disabilities.

We are a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) charitable not-for-profit organization registered with the Internal Revenue Service, the Illinois Attorney General, and the Illinois Secretary of State. We operate a 100 acre accessible camp in northern Fulton County near Farmington, approximately one hour west of Peoria, Illinois. Our camp is operated under a special use permit granted us by the Fulton County Zoning Board of Appeals by unanimous vote on April 28, 2004. Our organization was chartered in May of 2000. We are governed by a community based board of directors and all projects and activities are completed by a dedicated corps of volunteers.

Our camp of 100 acres of former surface coal mine land consists of native hardwood timber, wetland, grassland pasture, and spring fed lakes of 5 and 14 acres.
All activities are provided at no cost to the participants and their guests. Voluntary contributions are accepted by certainly not required for participation. Any person of any age with any disability that limits or otherwise restricts their access to the outdoors is eligible to visit our camp. Both individuals and groups are welcome, and we encourage friends and family members to share in these wonderful outdoor experiences.

All visits must be scheduled in advance and volunteer representatives of our organization are present to assist with orientation, operation of some equipment, such as the watercraft, and any other duties as required. Activities are limited to 20 campers and five volunteers no more than three days per week. Our camp is available primarily from April 1 to October 30 although other dates may be accommodated with previous notice and planning upon request.

At this time we offer accessible fishing, camping, picnicking, nature study, and boating. Our accessible hunting program is under development and will offer deer, turkey, duck, goose, and dove hunting in the near future.