Special Olympics summer camp sessions run Aug. 9-11, 17-19

Special Olympics Delaware will host two sessions of its annual summer camp Saturday to Monday, Aug. 9 to 11 and 17 to 19 at Camp Barnes in Frankford. More than 110 Special Olympics Delaware athletes and 80 volunteer counselors are scheduled to attend.

Summer camp is one of the most anticipated events of the year for Special Olympics athletes of various ages and abilities. Campers participate in several traditional camp activities - sports, canoeing, swimming, kayaking, boating and crafts, just to name a few - while enjoying the opportunity to reacquaint with old friends and meet new friends during the three-day, two-night camp experience.

For the fourth consecutive year, 60 high school students are volunteering as counselors as part of Special Olympics Delaware’s Project UNIFY initiative. Students take on leadership roles at the camp to create a fun, positive and welcoming environment that develops camaraderie, teamwork and friendship among everyone in attendance.

Special Olympics Project UNIFY is an education-based project that uses sports and leadership programs to activate young people to develop school communities where all youth are agents of change, fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities.

“Special Olympics summer camp is about three amazing days where students interact with Special Olympics athletes in an inclusive setting to enjoy a traditional camp experience together,” said Kylie Melvin, Project UNIFY coordinator. “The students develop a greater understanding and appreciation of their peers with disabilities, and it serves as a tremendous lesson that all people are more alike than different.”

Go to www.sode.org for more information about Delaware's Special Olympics.