KAZAKHSTAN hosts first Camp Shriver

For the first time ever, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Global Sports Camp was held in Kazakhstan from 15-29 June 2009 in Almaty.  Haileybury Almaty, the first British private school in Central Asia, hosted the event which is held in honor of Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver.  It was in the 1960s that Shriver began organizing sports camps at her home for children and young people with intellectual disabilities.  The aim of the camp was for children with special needs to learn new sports skills; improve their individual sport performance; participate in individual and team sports; build friendships; and have fun with volunteers and camp staff.

At the Almaty camp, 50 children and young people with intellectual disabilities, 25 volunteers, coaches and family members participated in a variety of sports events held in the school’s sports hall and swimming pool.

In addition to the school, Camp Shriver was supported by Special Olympics Kazakhstan general sponsor KazRosGas, INTERTEACH insurance and UNICEF.

Following the camp, parents sent to Special Olympics Kazakhstan were full of praise for Camp Shriver and thankful for the experience it provided their children.

Photo:  Camp Shriver participants in Almaty.  Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Kazakhstan.