CAMP ABILITY AT CREGGS RFC - A GREAT SUCCESS STORY!
Ability West and Creggs RFC have once again joined forces to host a groundbreaking children’s summer camp specially designed for children with autism and intellectual disabilities.
The idea for the camp was born in April, during the opening of Creggs RFC’s new facilities, when Julie Silke Daly, CEO of Ability West, and Ger Dowd, Principal of Creggs National School, shared a vision: to create a summer camp where children with autism and intellectual disabilities could enjoy the same enriching experiences as their peers. Enable Ireland also participated in the collaboration.
For many families, summer can bring disappointment when some children are able to attend camps while others who have autism or intellectual disabilities are left out, due to lack of accommodation or specialist support. Camp Ability—this year’s pilot program—was created to change that.
This inaugural camp welcomed more than 17 children, each paired with one-to-one support. The week has already seen the creation of some wonderful friendships, with hopes that these bonds will last for years to come.
On arrival, each child received a bright orange Camp Ability hoodie and a rucksack, while camp leaders were easily identifiable in vibrant green tunics. Activities ranged from outdoor fun on the all-weather pitch—such as rugby kicks, run through tunnels, soft play golf, a music area to indoor sensory activities x 2, messy play area, art projects, 2 interactive sensory projector zones and use of the state-of-the-art Creggs Gym. Thanks to HC21 and Moorings Mediquip who provided the interactive sensory projector zones, the children really enjoyed using them!
To ensure all activities were safe and appropriate, the Ability West physiotherapists were on hand to ensure all activities were safe and appropriate. Their expert guidance helped every child participate confidently and comfortably. Children also had the opportunity to use the specially designed trikes kept at Creggs—one allowing a wheelchair to be securely mounted at the front while an adult cycles, and another providing a safe harness for children with normal mobility. With the club’s long tracks, these trike rides proved exhilarating and empowering experiences for the children.
Meals were provided by Gladys and her team in the Creggs Cafeteria, with full consideration given to any dietary or feeding requirements .
Creggs RFC’s facilities are a major asset to the camp, featuring fully accessible changing rooms equipped with a disability-friendly toilet, wash basin, adult-sized changing bench, overhead tracking hoist, privacy curtain, and optional shower. The club also boasts a special sensory room adjacent to the clubhouse, offering a calming environment for relaxation and sensory engagement. A big thank you to Michael Glennon who helped each day with the set up – he and the children had great fun with their spontaneous water fights!
On the camp’s closing day, Minister Hildegarde Naughton attended to present certificates to all participants. Minister Naughton said, “It’s wonderful to be in Creggs today for the wrap of the first ever Ability Camp. This is a milestone moment where children with autism and intellectual disabilities shared in the same adventure, fun and friendship together. A celebration of inclusion and boundless potential!
I am really excited to continue working with the amazing community here in Creggs in the months ahead to build on this momentum to provide even more services and supports for children, adults, and their families for many years to come.”
Julie Silke Daly, CEO of Ability West, said: “Creating a summer camp for children with autism / intellectual disability is a new departure from what we normally do at Ability West. However, this pilot camp has been such a success that we hope to increase the number of places next year. Having the backdrop of a facility like Creggs RFC has made this a very memorable experience for the attendees and our huge team of camp leaders—some of whom are Ability West staff and some who joined us especially for the camp – thank you to you all for making this camp a great success! Huge thanks are also due to Creggs RFC for providing the facility for Camp Ability and their help throughout the week —we believe that in the future this will significantly put Creggs RFC on the map! The photos here tell the real story of the camp’s success and the sheer enjoyment the children have experienced. A big thank you also to the HSE – specifically Mary O’Halloran, Head of Disabilities – without the tremendous support of the HSE, we couldn’t do what we do! Finally, Ability West is delighted that Minister Naughton could be with us today, she is a great supporter of Ability West and intellectual disability, and we really appreciate her taking time out of her busy schedule to present the certificates to the children who participated. Also thank you to Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice and Martin Daly.”
Ger Dowd who is the Principal of Creggs National School said, “Back in April this was just an idea Julie and myself chatted about and it’s great to see it become a reality and I look forward to building on it year on year. Thanks to literally everyone who was involved in the camp – it was a great success!”
Photos Jacinta Fahy and Alex Daly
