Camp wraps up with summer carnival
Jonathan Garet is about to get soaked as campers try to dunk him in the water Friday at Camp Carnival in Washington Park.
Campers wait in line to be served popcorn and snow cones Friday at Camp Carnival in Washington Park.
For seven weeks, children with developmental disabilities participated in a summer camp that ended with a bang Friday.
Arc Human Services’ Camp Laughalot celebrated the end of this summer’s session with its annual carnival at Washington Park. The campers, ages 6 to 21, all got to enjoy food, entertainment and games.
Camp Laughalot is a way for disabled children and young adults to meet and forge relationships with others like them. Camp coordinator Quimber Nutter called the camp a “great resource.”
“Instead of being home, they’re interacting with each other,” Nutter said.
The festivities began with magician Al-Mazing performing illusions for the campers. After his performance, there were snow cones, a dunk tank and a bounce house. One of the campers participating was 20-year-old E.J. Knouse, who attended with his grandparents. E.J. has autism and a seizure disorder. This is his second year attending Camp Laughalot, and his grandparents are happy he gets to interact with the other campers.
“His being able to be with other people (is good). … “There’s a lot of supervision and activity,” said his grandfather, Bob Knouse.
Camp Laughalot saw 50 campers this year. Arc believes through the camp, the campers will grow and learn valuable skills.
“They grow through building valuable relationships and friendships with other campers,” said Darrilyn McCrerey, the program coordinator for Arc. “We see the skills they learn through the summer and when they return the next summer.”