| An initiative of the First
Lady, the Virgin Islands "Camp Shriver" chapters
were developed in March 2007, at the Maryland home of camp
founder and disabilities activist, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
At that time, the Governor and First Lady held a meeting
along with Janice Lee, St. Croix Special Olympics Chapter
Director, Dr. Thomas Songster, Special Olympics, and Michael
Akin, Catholic Charities, to discuss the formal arrangements
in launching the two facilities and bringing sports training
to the disabilities community in the Virgin Islands. Campers
participate in the two-week summer session in coordination
with the Special Olympics, and engage in swimming,
basketball, soccer, softball, and other recreational
sporting activities.
"Camp Shriver" was
originally developed by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1962 in
Rockville, Maryland, to provide intellectually challenged
children and adults with an opportunity to participate in
sports training and social skills development. Originally
launched from Ms. Kennedy Shriver’s home, the home-camp is
still holding two-week sessions during the summer months,
along with the other camp facilities nationwide,
Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Campers are
challenged to reach their highest physical limits, develop
physical fitness and experience the joys and friendships
that come from attending a summer camp.
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