This summer marked the 25th anniversary of Camp SOAR. The Special Olympics Athletic Retreat offers a real summer camp experience for people with intellectual disabilities in the Charlotte region. (Troy C. Hull | Catholic New Herald)
CHARLOTTE — If you want to experience pure joy in action, it can be found at Camp SOAR. For 25 years, the Special Olympics Athletic Retreat has been offering a summer camp experience for people with intellectual disabilities in the Charlotte region.
Held annually at the Levine Jewish Community Center on Providence Road, this year’s camp hosted more than 300 campers assisted by 400 volunteers from area businesses and schools, including many from Charlotte Catholic High School and Holy Trinity Middle School.
A lasting legacy
The June 15-19 camp marked two milestones, one happy and one sad. Campers celebrated the program’s 25th year but also started the week with an emotional tribute to founder Bob Bowler, who passed away in September.
Bowler, a member of St. Gabriel Parish, volunteered with Special Olympics North Carolina for 40 years and started Camp SOAR in 2000 because he wanted the athletes to experience summer fun.
“Many of them saw their siblings going off to summer camp but they didn’t have a chance for a similar experience,” said Marilynn Bowler, Bob’s widow, who made several visits to this year’s camp. She was brought to tears of joy a few times as she saw the fruits of her late husband’s work.
Bowler’s memory and image were never far from the minds of organizers and volunteers. Several people wore commemorative T-shirts with his picture on them.
“I arrived the other day and was presented with one of these shirts and was in tears,” Marilynn Bowler said. “I remember when Bob came up with the idea of this camp. Bob’s background was in sales, and he was comfortable selling both products and ideas. He was so enthusiastic about starting this camp and surrounded himself with people who believed in this idea, and now 25 years later, we’re here.”
The camp is divided into two segments, one serving younger children and another geared toward teens and adults. Some have been attending the camp annually since childhood, and a few former participants are now volunteers.
It’s a daily flurry of activity from morning until afternoon, with campers moving constantly between different sports and activities. Each of them has a “buddy” volunteer who accompanies and assists them and cheers them on.
A week of fun
During the week, the campers participated in a variety of sports including basketball, boxing, bocce, bowling, soccer, tennis, pickleball, swimming and golf.
They also took part in daily arts and crafts and bingo and divided into teams to take part in a daily program that promoted general fitness along with the fun.
On June 18, Bishop Michael Martin paid a visit and even picked up a golf club to take a few swings on one of the athletic fields. He also took time to offer some golf tips to campers, showing them how to properly swing and grip the clubs. Bishop Martin also watched a spirited basketball session that featured a powerful slam dunk from one camper.
Throughout the day, volunteers and campers cheered each other on. No accomplishment was ignored, and smiles were the norm.
Camp ended with Friday Fun Day on June 19, with jugglers, movies and the highly anticipated annual dance party.
“Bob initially asked how we could pull this off, because he didn’t have any money for it and no facilities, but he did it,” said Al Tinson, a member of St. John Neumann Parish who along with Bowler helped to launch the camp and has been a volunteer ever since. “We started with just 25 campers and a handful of volunteers, and now we have hundreds involved. Many people come back year after year, and that’s the number one thing that pleased Bob.”
Emma Keese started as a volunteer when she was a freshman at Charlotte Catholic High School. The rising sophomore at St. Mary’s University in Indiana, where she majors in psychology and Spanish, was happy to be back.
“The reason I keep coming back is the fundamental joy that is present there,” Keese said. “When a camper recognizes you and there is that connection and recognition and appreciation, there is no feeling like it. It’s unmatched. What makes Camp SOAR so special is the joy and energy that’s present there.”
Many former student SOAR volunteers have gone on to pursue degrees and careers in special education and other related fields, Tinson said.
“We have no idea how much of an impact this program has had on the community, both in North Carolina and around the country,” he said. “This is all because of what Bob started. It’s a tough thing to not have him here – it leaves a huge hole. But the people came back, and they’re carrying on for him.”
— Christina Lee Knauss
