ALL-ABILITY CAMP … The Buckeye Border Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chapter recently hosted its second annual All-Abilities Camp held on Saturday, May 30 at Wauseon High School. Pictured are the campers and their buddies.
PHOTOS PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FOOTBALL DRILL … A camper and his buddy take part in a football drill in the Buckeye Border Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chapter All-Abilities Camp held on Saturday, May 30 at Wauseon High School.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Buckeye Border Fellowship of Christian Athletes recently hosted its second annual All-Abilities Camp held on Saturday, May 30 at Wauseon High School’s Harmon Field/Larry L. Fruth Stadium.
With 26 campers and 50 volunteers participating in the all-day event, the All-Abilities Camp features the inclusion of all categories of people with all types of disabilities while emphasizing the biblical message of “In God, we are all able.”
Buckeye Border FCA Director Rex Stump, whose chapter includes five Northwest Ohio counties, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, and Williams Counties, emphasized the importance of the event, “To reach every coach and athlete, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes makes the effort to provide opportunities of competition and growth for every person, regardless of background, ability, talent, age, gender, or race.”
Campers ranging from four years old up to 40 years old participated in various sports such as football, basketball, baseball, cheer, soccer, obstacle course and even self-defense.
According to Buckeye Border FCA Area Representative Mindy Cross, she found out about the All-Abilities Camp when it first started seven years ago in Akron, and bringing it to the local level became a major part of her vision.
“It gives folks the ability to be able to be on a football field, play sports and have fun,” she said.
Each camper was paired up with their own ‘buddy’ for the entire day in which they helped guide them not only through sports and games but also discover their own faith.
“Our goal is to provide an event in which everyone with a disability of any age is welcome to attend and experience God’s love expressed through the many volunteers and the community,” said Stump.
While sporting events and other activities were going on, Cross mentioned “The Rock,” a large tent where campers listened to gospel stories.
What was special about the significance of “The Rock”, according to Cross is that there were seven campers who made their personal commitment to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior that day.
This outreach program of the Buckeye Border FCA Chapter has now become popular with everyone.
“What is special is we have a lot of ‘buddies’ who volunteer their time and effort to work with kids and participate in various sporting activities,” said Cross.
“Since we started the camp two years ago, our ‘buddies’ have been great, and they are looking forward to next year.”
Special thanks go out to the Wauseon American Legion and Wauseon VFW Posts for their support along with Chick-Fil-A Restaurant who provided lunch for the All-Ability Camp.
