Catholic Social Services holds Camp Rainbow, brings ‘heaven on earth’ to children at St. Edmond’s Home

Camp Rainbow Image courtesy of Facebook

Catholic Social Services held its yearly summer camp in Montgomery County. This year, Camp Rainbow is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and it brings joy to residents of St. Edmond’s Home for Children.

Fun Event for the Children 

This year's event focuses on bringing joy and fun to children with disabilities at St. Edmond’s Home. The  Camp Rainbow this year focused on sports, fitness, and senses. According to the Catholic Philly report, the children have participated in different activities. 

St. Edmond’s administrator,  Denise Clofine, said that the camp is a success despite the threat of a pandemic, and this is due to the effort of their camp director, Julia Vivanco. She added that it brings joy to the hearts of Catholic Social Services employees as they witness the happy faces of the children.

Sharing Love to Children with Special Needs  Across America 

A 22-year-old woman from Florida, Nicole Grippa, comes home every summer to train children with special needs how to swim. She started her volunteer work four years ago, called Chasing Dreams.

Chasing Dreams offers free lessons to families and focuses on children with special needs. She brought 15 kids to the Port Orange YMCA pool for summer's free swimming lesson. 

Last year, the Chicago Park District invested $126 million to improve recreation opportunities for youth and adults with special needs. New programs like citywide wrestling and Soccer for Success have debuted, which were formed to nurture the growing enthusiasm for soccer and served 1,000 kids in its first year. 

About Camp Rainbow

Camp Rainbow started in 1988 when Allen Brockman of St. Louis made the dream of a terminally ill child come true. The child wanted to go to a summer camp, and  Brockman made it possible, which is where it all started. 

The first summer camp was held at Lion’s Den in Imperial, MO. It was a seven-week camp participated by 28 seriously ill children. Volunteers were present during the event, and sponsors also made it happen.

Children fighting cancer and blood diseases are the main focus of Camp Rainbow. The organization offers free programs and experiences to children together with their families.   

Children with special needs are welcome to participate in different sports events to compete. On Sept. 3, from 1 p.m to 5 p.m., the Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games will be held. K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park, 730 Wildlife Lodge Road, Lower Burrell, on Sept. 3.

About St. Edmond’s Home for Children

For children with intellectual and physical disabilities, St Edmond's Home offers an invaluable comprehensive outcome-oriented treatment plan. They provide a wide range of medical/nursing and therapeutic services to help each child reach their full intellectual, physical, and social possibility.

The children of St Edmond's Home are a representation of God's love, and the tender and empathetic care of our entire St. Edmond's family enriches their lives immensely. Skilled professional staff is motivated by love and committed to ensuring each child's dignity and quality of life.

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