Brooke Stamps and Katherine Gaut could not contain their excitement as they held hands while beaming and giggling, thrilled to be back at Camp Smile.
After two years apart due to COVID-19 limitations, Collierville Parks and Recreation brought back the 24th two-week day camp dedicated to those with mild to moderate disabilities. Campers range from ages 9 to 58.
“I’m elated it’s back,” said Michelle Kelley, Camp Smile director. “There are not a lot of opportunities for them in the summer. It breaks my heart.”
Camp Smile kicked off last week, and students engaged in activities relating to a theme they selected: Fun at the Beach. Crafts and games mostly related to the beach, and the house inside W.C. Johnson Park was decked out with flip-flops and beach decor.
Some campers go one week, while some go both. Monday, July 18, was the first day Gaut and Stamps attended. Joshua York was scheduled to attend another camp this week, but he begged his mother to return to Camp Smile after the fun he experienced last week.
“All my friends are here,” said Bob Smiddy, one of the older campers, who was enjoying his first day.
Throughout the day, whether making crafts or playing beach-themed bingo, they were content and happy to be with friends.
“The lesson they teach us is just do today and not worry about tomorrow,” Kelley said. “We need to slow down and take advantage of what we can do today.”
Some camp counselors volunteer, and others are paid staff. Emily Brannon, Kelley’s niece, volunteered about 10 years before becoming paid staff.
“I love doing this,” Brannon said, grinning.
The time there is helping kindle a passion for a career in applied behavior analysis. Brannon and Kelley don’t have special needs family members, although Kelley is a special education teacher in Somerville.
Most years, Camp Smile includes field trips to places like the zoo or a movie theater. Due to the unknowns of COVID-19 and ongoing restrictions at some places, they had fewer field trips this year. However, they had plenty of fun and games.
“It’s four hours, but it’s a packed four hours,” said Lisa Gaither, Collierville Parks’ recreation director.
Special visitors delight campers throughout the week. Last week, a ventriloquist visited and Seize the Clay brought pottery they could paint. A detailed face painter visited Tuesday, and Monday, Tennessee Army National Guard recruiters visited.
Each camper excitedly introduced themselves before Sgt. Sebastian Araya and William Nolan showed off the Humvee they brought. Smiddy respectfully thanked them for their service.
“This is one reason we wear the uniform, to be part of the community,” Araya said.
The pair handed out wristbands, bags and lanyards. They let everyone touch and see the truck.
“It’s amazing,” Liam Arnott said after looking inside the truck.
Kelley handed Nolan and Araya a folder filled with illustrations campers had made, thanking them for their service. Araya thanked the kids and adults, noting he’d hang the pictures in their office.
The students are tight-knit, although not all of them are from Collierville. Some go to the same school. Some are involved in other community events where they regularly see each other. During the pandemic, they remained connected via Zoom.
“They’re funny, and they’re witty,” Kelley said. “They adore each other, and they’re well-mannered.”