Imagine the excitement of engaging people with disabilities in activities that empower them to just be themselves and have fun. That is the intention at United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile's Camp SMILE.
Last year, UCPeople reported about Peter Gaudet, a Camp SMILE participant featured on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. This year, UCPeople is happy to report that 2009 marks Camp SMILE's first official year in West Mobile, resulting from the generosity of David and Debbie Pilot, who donated the use of Camp Grace as the official Camp SMILE site.
From mid-June through mid-July, campers and counselors had the chance to participate in fishing, archery, canoeing, raft cruises and most exciting of all, riding a zip line!
This year, Junior League of Mobile (JLM) volunteers headed up three activities for the campers, including archery, outdoor games and a special project decoupaging tissue onto canvass. For many volunteers and Camp SMILE staff, it was incredible to see campers engaging in archery, especially when many of them had never shot a bow and arrow. The smiles on their faces afterward said it all.
Outdoors, there were some intense games of volleyball and kickball, and everyone cheered for their friends regardless of the team.
Finally, all campers worked on a special project to decoupage tissue onto canvass. The pieces of art went to donors, which wouldn't have been possible without Camp SMILE and JLM volunteers.
JLM remains thrilled to continue its partnership with Camp SMILE as the organization carries out its mission to empower children and adults with disabilities to live their lives without limits by providing an inclusive summer camp experience where there is no limit to the adventure.
For more information, visit the Camp SMILE Web site or contact Marty Wheeler at (251) 479-4900.
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