Volunteers enjoy helping at All Abilities Camp
This was the second year for the All Abilities Camp at Kids America, which was held Sept. 25 and sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“A couple of years ago FCA as a global organization, just felt led to reach some people that were missing, because our mission and our goal is to reach every athlete,” said Nick Johnson from FCA Coshocton. “They had an initiative where they started expanding and one of the areas was the special needs community. A lot of times we don’t think of them when we think of athletes. This idea of all abilities camps was born about two years ago. It is just a sport focused camp for students with disabilities to come in and the primary goal is to have fun. With some of the drills, they are going to learn some things and we try to teach them some things. But really, it is to be encouraged, to feel loved and recognized as athletes. Obviously part of FCA is the Christian aspect and we also want to share with them God’s love. Tell them about God’s love for them and God’s purpose for them in their lives. Today they are rotating through basket ball, football, track and soccer. They will be rotating through those different stations and learning some new things and we will have a message for the students at the end.”
The event began with the National Anthem. Each athlete was handed an American flag and they walked a lap around the soccer field to the Olympic march, followed by a prayer and each huddle went to their different station of sport. Each station has a different sport. Groups of 10-12 kids are called a huddle. A huddle leader and two students stay with each group and help them get to their events on time. Each station has a different sport and the people at that station know something about that sport to show them what to do.
Coshocton High School Key Club members Emily Johnson and Addie Underwood helped with the huddles. “I’ve never done this before but I have done Special Olympics and other things through Key Club. I’m excited. This should be good,” Johnson said. Underwood said, “I did this last year during the summer. It was really fun and I liked working with the kids and it is fun to meet new people, good people that volunteer.”
River View High School Teen Leadership students Kirsten Courtright and Courtney Bookless also helped with the huddles. Both girls said this was their first year to help with the event.
After lunch the day’s events ended with the awards ceremony and a message.
