Founders &
History

The Founding Vision of Camp Attaway:

In the late 1980s, Dr. Saul Lieberman, a child psychologist, and Dr. David Cooper, a college professor at the University of Maryland College Park Department of Special Education, dreamed of creating a place where children struggling with complex emotional and behavioral challenges could be successful in a traditional summer camp by designing a therapeutic program that met their needs. By incorporating a low 2:1 camper-to-counselor staff ratio and hired professionals from the fields of special education, counseling, psychology, behaviorists, and graduate students dedicated to positively impacting these children’s lives.  

After many late-night conversations, their vision came to life as Camp Attaway. This innovative camp was created to serve children who, due to their emotional and behavioral struggles, were excluded from typical summer camps. At Camp Attaway, these children could swim, explore nature, go rock climbing, and most importantly feel accepted and not judged as bad children based on their behavioral lapses while making friends often for the first time in their lives. The mission was clear: provide a nurturing space where children with severe emotional and behavioral disorders could succeed, develop critical social skills, and enjoy the joy of summer camp. From the very beginning and thanks to the generosity of donors and ongoing fundraising efforts, Camp Attaway was committed to ensuring no child would be turned away for financial reasons. Nearly three decades later, the camp continues to meet 100% of financial need offering scholarships to all those that need them.

The Legacy of Camp Attaway’s Partnership with Howard County Recreation and Parks:

For 18 years, Camp Attaway was proud to partner with Howard County Recreation and Parks (HCRP), a collaboration made possible through the efforts of Dr. Saul Lieberman, Dr. David Cooper, and Laura Wetherald. Laura’s dedication to the camp was instrumental in building a strong and enduring relationship with HCRP, which played a critical role in Camp Attaway’s growth. HCRP not only provided a home for the camp but also contributed up to 65% of its operational budget, ensuring that children with behavioral and emotional challenges could experience a supportive and enriching summer environment. This formal partnership came to an end in 2013, but the informal partnership continues to this day.

About Our Founders:

David Cooper served as the Research & Training Director at Camp Attaway from its inception until 2009 when he moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to become the Dean and Professor of Education at Elon University. Since retiring in 2016, David has dedicated his time to research and advocacy work focused on racial integration in public schools and innovative educational methods for caregiving staff in senior living centers.

Dr. Saul Lieberman served as the Clinical Director of Camp Attaway for 24 years, from 1996 to 2019. During his tenure, he not only led the clinical programming but also worked tirelessly to secure funding for the camp through grants and donations. In 2019, after stepping down from his role as Clinical Director, Dr. Lieberman continues to support the camp as a member of its Advisory Board, offering clinical expertise as well as spearheading fundraising efforts to ensure the camp thrives. He also maintains a private practice in Columbia, Maryland, where he continues to support the community.