The word Jawonio is derived from the Onondaga Nation word for “Independence.” Jawonio began in 1947 as the Rockland Center for the Physically Handicapped. An ad was placed in the local newspaper by one family in search of a social and therapeutic summer camp experience for their “palsied” child. Soon, six other families joined and formed Camp Jawonio. In 1949, Jawonio was the first overnight camp for children with disabilities. Today, Jawonio supports more than 3000 children, adults and their families throughout Rockland, Westchester and other areas in the Lower Hudson Valley.