Paige Minemyer
For The Tribune-Democrat
DAVIDSVILLE —
Camp PARC counselors and campers joined together to play instruments and sing songs Wednesday, embodying the emotion behind the camp with the song lyrics: “It starts in the heart.”
Camp PARC is an annual event that brings mentally challenged individuals together with volunteers for a week of games, crafts and other activities.
The camp is in its 51st year at Laurel Hill State Park, where 95 campers are experiencing “Adventures in Storyland,” this year’s theme.
“I think our reputation shows that we’re a caring group of people,” said Ted Risch, camp director.
About 35 adult leaders organize activities for the campers while 70 junior counselors work with one or two campers during the week. The campers range in age from 18 to 85.
“We can help them develop lasting friendships,” Risch said. “And some campers come back again and again.”
There is a waiting list for spots in the camp because of its popularity, and Risch said organizers receive inquiries and campers from other states, including North Carolina and Virginia.
Camp PARC’s reputation has spread farther west as well, drawing one junior camper from Arizona.
“Our counselors are not observers, they’re participants,” Risch said. “If they didn’t participate, we’d have a dead camp.”
Four junior counselors are occupational therapy students from St. Francis University in Loretto who are working at Camp PARC for some of their field work.
Senior Joshua Chappell said working with the campers has been eye-opening.
“It’s been really fun,” he said. “You see that they have a lot more going than people think.”
As part of the “Adventures in Storyland” theme, campers have participated in activities centered on the camp’s mascot for the summer, Shrek. Other fairy-tale characters have made appearances as well.
On Wednesday night, the camp hosted a theme dinner and dance during which the campers dressed up as princes and princesses.
The theme extends to the camp’s biggest event, tonight’s Big Night program. Big Night gives the campers and counselors the chance to perform stories and songs in costume for a live audience.
It is open to the public and begins at 7 p.m.
The organizers are also offering a 5 p.m. buffet for $10, a fundraiser for the camp.
Risch said the event is a big draw, and each year there are 500 to 600 attendees.
For more information how to get involved in Camp PARC, visit www.campparc.org.
