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March 6, 2007
Groundwork laid for introduction of "Camp Shriver" to the Virgin Islands
An initiative of First Lady Cecile deJongh will bolster the goals and objectives of Special Olympics in the Virgin Islands . A tentative agreement is set for the introduction of Camp Shriver to the island districts of St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix this summer. Camp Shriver , begun in the 1960’s by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, is a two week camp which provides recreational activities for people with intellectual disabilities. The goal of the camp is to build relationships between people with and without intellectual disabilities. The original Camp Shriver was held in the 1960’s when Mrs. Shriver hosted the event at her home in Potomac , Maryland while challenging people everywhere with yards and pools to open their homes and provide an opportunity for young athletes with intellectual disabilities to participate in training for the Special Olympics. In 2006, Camp Shriver expanded to six cities on the U.S. mainland. At a March 1st luncheon at the Shriver home, plans shifted into high gear for the development of Camp Shriver in the Virgin Islands . Mrs. Shriver hosted the luncheon attended by Governor John deJongh and Mrs. deJongh, Janice Lee of Special Olympics, Michael Akin of Catholic Charities, Dr. Thomas Songster, Special Olympics Senior Vice President, as well as representatives from various Camp Shriver camps across the nation. Mrs. Shriver provided the history behind Camp Shriver when it got started at the time her brother John F. Kennedy was President, and she reached out to offer opportunities to the intellectually challenged. "I think this is an excellent opportunity, Mr. Governor, and I commend your administration for the efforts in bringing these promises to the less fortunate…the challenged in your community. We stand ready to assist you in bringing Camp Shriver to the Virgin Islands . It’s part of our faith, hope and love for America and its people." The introduction of Camp Shriver to the Virgin Islands is the brainchild of Virgin Islander Debra Brown Delone who now resides in the Washington , D.C. area. "Debbie mentioned this program to me during the Inauguration in January and in a series of e-mails. Since then there has been a groundswell of support for the project going forward," according to First Lady Cecile deJongh. Mrs. deJongh had high praise for the work of Janice Lee who has coordinated Special Olympics in the V.I. for a number of years. "We are now in a position to bring new life to these games of opportunity for the challenged and my husband’s administration is behind you 100%," she added. Cecile deJongh also expressed gratitude for the work of Mrs. Shriver, Dr. Songster, the Rockville Lions Club, the Rotary Club of Charlotte Amalie and Catholic Charities. These persons and groups have assisted in laying the ground work for establishing Camp Shriver in the two island districts. Gov. John deJongh said he welcomes the opportunity for the Virgin Islands government to provide "the vehicle to make great things happen in our community. I seize this opportunity to bring together all sectors of the Virgin Islands community to present the chance to make a difference." He hailed the efforts to bring parents and the challenged young people together "in a setting that makes them no different than persons their age who compete in ordinary sports." Camp Shriver will augment Special Olympics in the Virgin Islands providing another prospect for Virgin Islands intellectually challenged individuals. Special Olympics in the Virgin Islands began in 1977 and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. While Camp Shriver is being organized for the summer of this year, the next V.I. Special Olympics games are set for March 24th on St. Croix and March 31st on St. Thomas . Other participants at the luncheon spoke of the success of the camps across America last year in states including: Washington , DC , Maryland and Virginia ; Oregon , Louisiana , Boston , Florida and Missouri . |
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