An honor for Special Olympics center

Lawrence facility gets "Camp Shriver" designation

By: Olivia Tattory
   LAWRENCE — The excitement in the room was overwhelming while Special Olympics athletes waited for their pizza lunch on a recent Friday. More excitement for them that day, however, was to come later during the Special Olympics New Jersey Sports Complex five-week Camp Shriver day camp.
   "I like to score the goals," said smiling 13-year-old Lawrence resident Will Donahue, referring to the soccer game to be played after lunch. His favorite sports team however is the Yankees and the favorite player award goes to "A-Rod," he added.
   The summer camp, at the Princess Road sports complex, kicked off its fourth season July 9. The athletes participate in a new sport each week — basketball, bocce, soccer, golf and volleyball. The difference this year is this camp is now considered a "Camp Shriver," one of only 16 in the nation. Named after Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the camp is a place for people with intellectual disabilities to improve individual sports performance by learning new sports skills.
   "By going through the (Camp Shriver) training we’re really able to get a lot out of the logistics and assessment of the athletes," said Camp Director Megan Fulop. "We measure the athlete’s ability on the first day of the camp and see how they’ve improved at the end of the week."
   More than 55 athletes from around the state participate in the camp each week. The campers are placed into groups according to gender and age, ranging anywhere from 8 to 62 years old. The 20 to 25 counselors each week then monitor the groups as they work in timed rotations to learn the specific skills of the sport, improve knowledge about nutrition and healthy dieting, and receive training on the cardiovascular machines in the exercise and wellness center at the Sports Complex.
   Applications for the camp were sent across the state and all applicants were accepted. The program is completely free for athletes, made possible in part by the community and dynamic volunteer staff, said Special Olympics New Jersey President Marc Edenzon.
   "I think it’s so important that the athletes gain appreciation for their teammates and the social aspect of the sport as well as the athletic part," he said. "They learn these new skills and are able to take them back to their communities."
   Lawrence resident and four-year camp veteran Kristan Windsor said one of her favorite parts of the camp was making new friends. "And the pizza," she added.
   Having never played bocce before attending the camp, Kristan said the weeklong practices have helped her "get really good at it." Ms. Windsor also learned the game of golf at the camp.
   Many of the athletes attend summer school in the morning and come to the camp afterward, Ms. Fulop said. The counselors then start the day with icebreaker and friendship type activities so the campers can get to know each other. Although some of the campers may not be familiar with every sport, they leave with some kind of new knowledge and skill, she said.
   "For some it can be a little frustrating in the beginning of the week," Ms. Fulop said. "But we teach them that it’s not about being the expert or pro but learning the rules and building on the knowledge they had before."
   The sports complex opened in 2002 and occupies 11 acres in Lawrence Township. Athletes have access to a fully equipped exercise and wellness center, full-size indoor and outdoor basketball courts and bocce courts. Libraries for parents, siblings, coaches and athletes also are available. Currently, more than 15,000 athletes train and compete throughout New Jersey.
   For more information about Special Olympics New Jersey, visit www.sonj.org.