Camp RicStar

Though he passed away at age 12, the legacy of Eric “Ricstar” Winter lives on at the Michigan camp named in his honor, where people with mental and physical disabilities learn the power of rocking out. Dig into the history of this game-changing organization and join eight campers as they find new ways of expressing themselves.Inspired by the life of their son, Eric, who lived with cerebral palsy and had an incredible gift for music, Judy and Dick Winter founded the life-changing Eric “RicStar” Winter Music Therapy Camp for people of all ages and abilities. Led by music therapists from Michigan State University and with the help of passionate community volunteers, RicStar Camp gives participants the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the pure joy of music, foster lifelong friendships, and be part of a meaningful community—all of which are significantly more challenging while living with physical or cognitive disabilities. Exceptionally moving and utterly beautiful, CAMP RICSTAR triumphantly places campers center stage as they achieve what most of the world assumes they can’t. Much more than their astounding abilities are brought into the spotlight, willing tears of pride, love, and humility from every eye in the house. —A.B. GUEST(S) IN ATTENDANCE