In 1997, Alternative Camp developed in the Mediterranean with the motto "Diving is Freedom" and since then has led the field in diving for handicapped people from different groups. Alternative Camp is a volunteer effort that strives to establish a foundation for integration of handicapped people into the society through sports, education and vacation. Among its many goals is to create social awareness by bridging the gap between different disability groups, different age and gender groups and people of different cultures and languages.
Alternative Camp is an independent non-governmental and non-profit organization that is based on principles of volunteering. The current facilities of sports, education and holiday camps that are under operation through volunteer services are the building blocks of the project. Alternative Camp sets an example in national and international arenas and serves as an alternative model for a “working system” that is self-sufficient and sustainable.

During 2002-2006, the Alternative Camp project has taken place in Bodrum, Izmir, Sinop, Van, Fethiye, Kas and Artvin and has hosted more than 2500 handicapped people and 600 volunteers (both domestic and international).

Alternatif Camp's Visions and Missions are to;

• Help establish equal opportunities, cultural integration and social rehabilitation among the handicapped
  
  
• Introduce notions of civil society awareness and volunteering into the society
  
  
• Overcome obstacles impeding creative minds
  
  
• Provide alternative solutions and applications against the "unhealthy society-unhealthy individual" vicious cycle that is a result of sub-culture and ignorance in the society as well as addiction to tobacco or alcohol
  
• Reach the ideal of a "Barrier-free Life".

Alternative Camp's Contingency:

• Handicapped people; Physical handicaps and mental disabilities; spinal cord apoplexy, cerebral palsy, sight impairment, hearing impairment, muscular dystrophy, amputation, autism, mental retardations, down syndrome, dyslexia, schizophrenia, etc.
  
  
• Chronic illnesses; Diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, joint and muscle illnesses and genetic diseases.
  
  
• Disadvantaged youth; Young people during primary, secondary, high school and university education who need special care and face problems of alcohol and other substance addiction.

Sports
Swimming, snorkeling, free diving, Scuba diving, water sports, water aerobics, rock-climbing, beach volley, bocce, aerobics, morning aerobics, basketball, badminton, tennis, table tennis, riding, mountain biking and such outdoor activities forma a basis suitable for special needs. Sports and a healthy life is the corner stone of Alternative Camp. This idea helps to quit bad habits. The club discovers the talented individuals and directs them to relevant clubs and organizations.

Social and Cultural
Drama, theater, dance, music, painting, chess, ceramics, group activities, team-building activities and cultural trips that accelerate integration in camps.

Educational
Workshops, courses and presentations in the fields of painting, music, dance, ceramics, gardening, environmental awareness, computer, photography, handicrafts, foreign languages, first-aid, healthy nutrition, personal development, orienteering and many others take place in Alternative Camp; where the aim is to increase creativeness, skills, general knowledge, active participation and productivity of these participants.