Ribbon cut on special needs camp in Coitsville

COITSVILLE, Ohio (WKBN) – With clients arriving in the back of a vintage haybale truck, directors with Golden String showed off their latest vision realized.

GabbaCamp is a collection of outdoor cabins and recreation equipment located on 33 wooded acres next to Golden String’s existing farm in Coitsville. Its purpose will be to provide a place for those with special needs and their families to get away for a while.

“We deal with a lot of folks that are neurodiverse and on the autism spectrum, and they can be a handful at times and their families need a break,” said Jimmy Sutman with Golden String.

The idea was born seven or eight years ago and the fundraising began. One of those benefactors was Mike Senchak, whose Mahoning Valley Hospital Foundation provided $750,000 in seed money.

The camp was ultimately named after Senchak’s granddaughter Gabriella or “Gabba,” who he brought to the site when she was younger.

“When she was around 6 years old she said, ‘You know poppy, you and your foundation give a lot of money to a lot of people why don’t we do something special for our special friends here?'” Senchak said.

GabbaCamp directors say their plans call for another five cabins next year and another pod of five within five years.

Eventually, organizers hope to add a lodge and a greenhouse to the property, which has already been accepting special needs guests and their families.

“By spring, you’ll go to GabbaCamp.com and there’s going to be people that will schedule like a hotel or any kind of resort stay,” Sutman said.

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