Each day at 4 pm, our group of campers gathers in the lodge to sing camp songs, tell camp stories, or to share special moments. We encourage the campers to step up to the front of the group and lead the group in a favorite song or to tell a special camp story. Cierra, a 10 year old Down Syndrome girl had been building up her courage all week to stand up in front of the group to sing her favorite song. It was Friday, the week is about to come to an end, her time was running out, so bravely she got up and began to sing her song. The group listened , they hung on every word. With great excitement and with a wave of her arms she finished the song and instantly every camper, adult, and staff jumped to their feet and cheered, and clapped! It was Little Cierra’s moment. Her smile was a big as one could imagine. And yet, it was doubtful that anyone had been able to understand anything that she had said. The more excited she became in her song, the more inaudible it all became. To all our young campers, none of that made any difference. Everyone instinctively knew that the only thing that mattered was that she had done it! That this was a GREAT moment for Cierra. We had watched the magic of Camp CaPella. Where disabilities don’t matter, and where there is a universal acceptance of everyone. Where no one laughs at anyone, and no one makes fun of anyone.  A place where kids can just be kids. A place where kids can make new friends and memories--- for a lifetime.

Camp CaPella is a privately funded non-profit that I-95 helps with fundraising whenever we can.  Our next event is the I95 Classic Drive and Car Show with Maine Oxy . We'd love to have you with us! Click here to register.

This year Camp CaPella is also looking for Challenge Pacesetter businesses to participate in the LaVerdiere Challenge to allow them to get match funds for your donations so it is a great year to help. Also, on June 27 & 28 I-95 will be having a our CaPellaThon where you can call in and pledge money to help send kids to camp.

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