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Special Olympics athletes have fun times at Camp Barnes

Jumping for joy at Camp Barnes pool are (l-r) Alyssa Kelsey, Jo’Mara Jackson, Cailee Layton, Sara Perrotta, Sara Giles and Armani Jackson. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
August 14, 2025

The 24th annual Special Olympics Summer Camp was held Aug. 10-12 at Camp Barnes in Frankford, where nearly 60 campers and dozens of staff members enjoyed a three-day, two-night camp experience that included sports and traditional camp-type activities. 

Campers and staff participated in activities such as basketball, arts and crafts, yoga, kayaking, canoeing, soccer, swimming, kickball, pickleball, board games, inflatable pool slides, singing, dancing and more.

The camp’s last evening ends with a party where campers and staff enjoy refreshments and dancing. Before departing the camp Aug. 12, each cabin group performed a fun skit for the other campers, staff, parents and family. 

Special Olympics Delaware Summer Camp s is designed for athletes 14 and over who are active in SODE’s sports programs and competitions.

“It’s been a fantastic camp,” said Nikki Mowbrey, senior director of unified champion schools. “We try to pick activities that are sports-related. The athletes love yoga, pickleball, water sports and a wide range of activities. The athletes also love arts and crafts where they made tye-dye shirts. 

“We are really grateful for our partnership with Camp Barnes and law enforcement to allow us this wonderful space to host camp. It’s so nice for our athletes to get to hang out with each other, not at a competition where they are going from event to event. Athletes from Wilmington get to hang out for an entire weekend with their friends from Sussex County.” 

For more information, go to sode.org.

 

A bullseye at the dunk tank.
Sara Giles, left, slides on the inflatable pool slide while staff member Lori Smyth tries to keep pace.
Pool time is always a great time for cabin three. Shown are (back row l-r) Marissa Hammond, Maura Ganc, Ashley Ohmott and (front row l-r) Kirsten Hanifee, Laura Lemon and Lynn Dolphin.
Staff working the kitchen and cooking the camp’s delectable meals are (l-r) Eric Ketterer, Bridgette Perrotta and Cynthia Winnington.
All smiles during kayaking. Volunteer Danielle Griffith is the lifeguard in the back kayak while Lori Smyth and Morgan Jungling are in the front.
Athlete Ariana Froh and counselor Brianna Porter hit the target to soak Sara Perrotta at the splash tower.
Getting the groove on dancing on the water soaker are (l-r) Sara Giles, Sara Perrotta, Morgan Jungling, Brianna Porter and Lori Smyth.
Showing her handmade necklace is athlete Cailee Layton.
Senior Director of Sports & Competition Ben LoPresto, left, makes a back pass to his teammate to fake out athlete Asa Mebane.
Athlete Daquan Taylor shows off his two bullseyes in the hatchet-throwing event.
Athlete Austin Quackenbush celebrates his victory on the basketball court.
Counselor Regina Stevens pulls a fast one and soaks athlete Cailee Layton.
Counselor Jo’Mara Drummond, left, assists athlete Armani Jackson with putting on her handmade necklace.
Yoga instructor Mary Bradley gets the athletes loose for their camp events.
Counselors Alyssa Kelsey, left, and Jo’Mara Drummond smile for the camera.
Athlete Austin Quackenbush works on his tye-dye shirt with Special Olympics Delaware Director of Development Erica Kelble.
Get refreshed on the water mat are (l-r) Regina Stevens, Madison Curlett, Cailee Layton, Alyssa Kelsey, Elizabeth Toner, Jo’Mara Drummond, Andrea Hasting, Armani Jackson and Stormi Morris.
Athlete Stormi Morris cuts a rug with counselors Jo’Mara Drummond and Alyssa Kelsey.
Welcoming visitors to the camp are Senior Director of Unified Champion Schools Nikki Mowbray, left, and Director of Digital Media Alex Seymore.
Doing an impromptu dance before swimming is Sara Giles.
Friends working on their arts project are Trinity Crouch, left, and Andrea Hastings.
Athlete Aaron Thompson throws up a lob in his pickleball game.
Athlete Matthew Beck goes out wide for a shot during his pickleball match.
Safely leaving the kayak are (l-r) Brianna Potter, Ariana Froh, Liz Ballini and Marilyn Moore.
Athlete Pamela Brown guides counselor Danny Hall into the shore.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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