Four Hartselle Shining Stars were able to join dozens of other campers with special needs from across the state over the weekend at Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults.

The Hartselle group left the Civic Center Friday and spent the weekend at the camp, located in Jackson’s Gap, near Auburn. Staci Wells, who oversees the Shining Stars programs in Hartselle, also serves on the board for Alabama Parks and Recreation that heads up Camp ASCCA. 

“There was something for everyone there, and they kept us very busy,” Wells said. “We got up at 8 a.m. for the flag raising, and then they had activities until 9 each night.” 

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The four campers – Nathan Ashworth, Sawyer McCormick, Katie Grace Prater and Eric Russell – were able to attend the camp through sponsorship by local civic organizations. Kasey Prater, Katie Grace’s mom, also attended to help out during the camp. 

Campers got to take part in a dance, go on a boat ride, play putt putt golf, play in the splash pad, try out the zipline and more. 

“They had a great time. Each camper had a different favorite thing about the camp,” Wells said. “Nathan liked the zipline, Sawyer loved the putt putt and Katie Grace and Eric were all about the water activities.”

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Wells said the camp welcomed about 100 campers for the session, of all ages. 

“All of our group was excited to go and want to go back next year. it’s a very good program, and we were very fortunate to be involved,” Wells said. 

This is the first year Hartselle has been able to take a group to camp, and Wells said she hopes to be able to include more participants in the future. 

“On the way home all of them were talking about what a great time they had and how they couldn’t wait to go back,” Wells said.