Camp Happiness marks 60th anniversary with annual Field Day, reunion

There was plenty of fun, games and excitement at the annual Camp Happiness Field Day July 24 at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. The camp’s capstone event was postponed a week as a precaution due to poor air quality caused by wildfires in Canada.

Camp Happiness, which is celebrating its 60th  anniversary, provides social and recreational services during the summer months to children ages 5-18 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is a ministry of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland’s Disability Services & Ministries. “Back to the Future” was this year’s camp theme.

Field Day included a reunion of former campers and staff members who enjoyed games, lunch, a parade and a dance party with a DJ.

“Camp Happiness and Disability Services began 60 years ago,” said Marilyn Scott, program director. She recapped the ministry’s history, noting it was established by Bill Tighe, a coach at Borromeo Seminary. “He saw a need, gathered other coaches and literally started Camp Happiness from the trunk of his car,” she said.

“There is an unmistakable vibe at Camp Happiness,” Scott said. “And Field Day is always special.” Campers participate in activities such as field trips, swimming, socialization and more. Members of the Order of Alhambra Carmona Caravan No. 75, a Catholic fraternal and social association, assist with Field Day including preparing and serving lunch, presenting awards and participating in the parade.

Photos from Camp Happiness through the years were displayed in Founders Hall during Field Day and the reunion. Dennis McNulty, who preceded Scott as Disability Services’ director, and Heather Stoll, Catholic Charities’ chief implementation officer, offered brief remarks. Attendees also recited the “Beatitudes for Persons with Disabilities,” which were on cards at each table. One section said, “Blessed are you, when by all things, you assure us that what makes us individuals is not our particular disability or difficulty, but our God-given personhood which no handicapping condition can confine.”

Disability Services programs operated from the former OLA/St. Joseph Center, a school for children with disabilities, in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood. Later, the ministry moved to Catholic Charities’ administrative offices at St. Augustine Health Ministries on Cleveland’s West Side before coming full circle and returning to the Tremont location about two years ago. A number of other Catholic Charities programs also operate from the Tremont site.

Megan Bonilla, Disabilities Services’ advocate and services coordinator, organized Camp Happiness with assistance from Lauren Mailey, program manager who is a former Camp Happiness staff member and leader.

Campers received certificates and Alhambra members presented them with medals.

Scott said about two dozen people participated in Camp Happiness this year. About a dozen alumni and former staff member attended Field Day.

Click here to learn more about Disability Ministries & Services and its programs. Get more information about Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland here.