Special Camp Marks 34th Summer of Friendship and Fun

This year's program had 161 campers across three sessions paired with 162 volunteer counselors, many of them St. Margaret’s students.

 

This summer marked the 34th year of Special Camp, a day program for youth with disabilities and their one-to-one counselors. With service, opportunity, and love, Special Camp works toward providing an unforgettable summer experience while also eliminating the stigma commonly associated with the disabled community. 

 

This year’s theme was “Western”, and the summer activities. The week-long camp was capped off with a talent show highlighting the many abilities of Special Camp’s incredible community. Some 161 campers (ages 6-21) and 162 volunteer counselors (more than 40% of them from St. Margaret’s) participated across the three sessions of camp. 

 

Each camp session was led by Executive Director Lindsay Eres ’00 and Associate Director Katie Schwartz ‘17,  a staff of seven, including three St. Margaret’s alumni. In addition, St. Margaret’s school nurse Elouise Garrovillas joined as Special Camp’s on-campus nurse. Lilly Boman ‘28, a former Special Camp Counselor, led arts & crafts and games with the Campers and Counselors to enhance on-campus activity offerings. Sienna Gornowicz ‘26, led three jewelry-making classes for Campers in June and July. Enzo Bertolino ‘26 served with Amara Grover ‘25 as camp photographers. Overall, there were more than 20 St. Margaret’s students and alumni who participated in leadership positions with Special Camp.

As part of the Moseley Venture to Serve initiative, several students led unique efforts to support Special Camp. Nick Fox ‘26 is organizing a “Drive to Thrive” golf tournament set for this fall to benefit Special Camp. Meanwhile, Vivian Li ‘26 has begun production on a documentary film about Special Camp, starting this summer by capturing footage from one of the Counselor Training Seminars. Marlowe Michels, a former St. Margaret’s student brought energy and creativity to the camp by leading two dance classes in June and July, and continued to engage participants with weekly dance and movement sessions during camp. She plans to offer additional classes throughout the upcoming school year. Alex Kim ‘26 contributed with an art program, training staff on how to lead the projects and providing support throughout camp. After observing campers during the first session, he even adapted several projects to better suit campers’ needs.

This summer, Special Camp created friendship and fun through activities both on St. Margaret’s campus and elsewhere. Off-campus ventures included the Adventure City, Doheny State Beach, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Chuck E. Cheese’s and Pretend City, while on-campus offerings included time spent in the camp’s activity centers (entertainment, arts & crafts, games & reading, sports, and sensory integration). 

 

There were additional events this summer: Christmas in June-themed Angels Game for Special Camp graduates and older participants, in addition to a bowling event at Lucky Strike for Special Camp veterans.

 

Each camp session concluded with The Geraldine Parent Family Reception and Awards Ceremony, at which each counselor presents a personalized award to their camper. A special recognition to graduating campers were also honored. Other awards included counselors who have volunteered for more than four summers including Taylor Francois '26 and Lila Wohlgemuth '26. At the conclusion, each camper receives a handwritten letter from their counselor and a one-on-one photo in a frame that they painted earlier in the session.

 

While Special Camp’s signature program is the summer sessions, Special Camp has year-round programming to provide social and recreational opportunities for its participants.