All Smiles at Camp Able All Smiles at Camp Able

The atmosphere at Wesley United Methodist Church was a mixture of great joy and jubilation as the 63 campers attending the19th Annual Camp Able gathering began to wind down after a spectacular week of events. 

During their lifetimes, many of these children and young adults may have been met with doubts about their abilities. However, during the activities this week and for the last 19 years, any doubts about their abilities were wiped away by the kindness shown by camp staff members, and volunteers from the greater Marco community who lit up the campers’ lives by bringing a great sense of accomplishment and an outpouring of unconditional love and understanding to them. 

Some of these youngsters had been coming to Camp Able for over a decade or more, and it has become a large part of their lives and an extension of their family circle, as they look forward to reuniting with those members once a year. 

The challenges they face on a day-to-day basis make any of our issues seem very minimal, and the outpouring of love and respect they are given goes a long way to softening some of the challenges they face. 

The official wind down of the Camp each year is the annual talent show, and you can see the excitement grow as they return from their morning at the Marco Movies. They returned to the church for a lunch provided by the Sunrise Rotary Club of Marco Island before preparing for the big event of the day. 

The Sanctuary of the church overflowed with parents, some of whom were attending for the first time. They anxiously awaited as their son or daughter ascended the stage and the spotlight shone on them as they performed before a jubilant crowd of well-wishers to cheers and deafening applause. 

I couldn’t help but gaze out upon the Diaz family, who were busily pulling together a dessert buffet just outside the doors. The Diaz family has made this a tradition for as long as I’ve known them. This little act of kindness is the type of thing that makes the event so special. 

Next year, the Camp Able Marco Event will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. Quite an accomplishment, and you too can be part of it by volunteering or donating to this wonderful cause. Just reach out to the Wesley United Methodist Church located at 350 South Barfield Drive on Marco Island.