Camp Able Wraps Up Year Seventeen

As Saturday, July 15th approached, the reality began to set in that this special week campers have been looking forward to all year was about to come to a close. Camp Able started 17 years ago under the supervision of then-Pastor Kyle Bennet of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. The baton was passed to the Methodist Church a short time ago.

The continued love and spirit surrounding the Camp Able program has continued to grow and prosper as Marco Island residents embrace the special nature of the young children attending it.

“We really look forward to this event each year and love to see the excitement in the faces of these very special children,” said Bob Cholka, an active member of the Methodist Church and Camp Able volunteer. 

Organizations and businesses from throughout the island come together to provide meals, recreational activities as well as other special events for the campers and staff members.

Of course, the highlight of the week-long set of activities falls on the last day with the annual Talent Show. The suspense grows from the time the campers wake to when they gather together for their final meal, which this year was provided by the Sunrise Rotary Club and Kretch’s Restaurant. The Noontime Rotary Club provided light desserts and refreshments as campers and families gathered outside the church sanctuary to say their goodbyes for the 2023 Camp Able Season.

Both Denise Pancyrz, President of the Sunrise Rotary Club and Al Diaz, longtime member of the Noontime Rotary Club agreed that the Camp Able spirit that started in year one continued to grow in year seventeen.