June 3, 2009

Developmentally disabled enjoy the mountains at Overnighter 2009

By John Gleason

Spring means many things: the birth of new life, the end of the school year, vacation.  But for the students and counselors of Religious Education for Persons with Developmental Disabilities it means camp.  Specifically: Overnighter 2009, held on two separate weekends—May 2 and May 9.

Loretto Sister Mary Catherine Widger is the associate director for the Special Religious Education program, which provides catechesis and the sacraments to the developmentally disabled.  Since 1979, part of that ministry has included an annual weekend outing to the mountains, a chance for both students and teachers to get together outside the classroom, as well as to meet students from other parishes and communities from around the city.

“Father Larry (Freeman) began the program in 1979,” Sister Widger explained. “We began at the old Camp St. Malo, then relocated to Camp Santa Maria and for the last four years we’ve been at Rocky Mountain Village, a camp run by Easter Seals near Empire, Colorado.”

When the camp was first started, it was held over a single weekend.  But as it became more popular, organizers realized that the camp would have to be held over successive weekends.

“When we got to a hundred campers, we figured that splitting up over two weekends would be easier,” Sister Widger said with a laugh.  “But now we have over 80 people on both weekends.  Everybody wants to go.”

Campers enjoy swimming, fishing, arts and crafts, sports and recreation, hiking, dances, horse-back riding and riding the zip-line, a heavy duty cable strung between trees 30 feet above a meadow.  Strapped in a harness, campers swing out on the line at dizzying speeds.  Most admit it’s the most popular attraction at camp.

Sister Widger said that students and counselors participate in mini-golf, basketball and fishing, which is considered “must do” recreation.  And if the weather turns rainy, there are indoor activities as well.  On Saturday night a dance is held and everyone comes together to celebrate Mass on Sunday with Father Roland Freeman.

Mary Faulkner, 43, is a resident of the Bridge Community, a Catholic home for developmentally disabled women in Denver.  She said she’s been attending the camp for more than 20 years.

“I like basketball, that’s my favorite,” she said.  “My friends and I go for walks and I like to watch the horses, too.”

Faulkner said she looks forward to going to camp every year but wishes it would last longer.

“It ends so quick,” she said.  “I’m ready to go next year.”

Neil McComic has been participating at the camp as a counselor for the last 18 years.  He initially heard about it while attending a Bible study course at Queen of Peace Parish in Aurora and even though he now resides in Colorado Springs, he still makes the journey to be part of this ministry.

“As a counselor you’re really a weekend partner,” he said.  “You go with the campers assigned to you to all the activities.  The camp is about fellowship and the friendship.  You enjoy yourself and being part of the human race and by the end of the weekend, you’ve gotten back much more than you give.”

Fellowship and friendship not withstanding, Sister Widger said that it’s also wonderful to watch the campers grow and mature.  Many of them can be considered old-timers as they’ve been coming back for years.

“Some came first as children and now they’re adults,” she said.  “It’s delightful to watch as they interact with the younger campers, showing them the ropes so to speak.”

For More Information: About the annual Overnighter or about the Special Religious Education program, call 303-934-1999.