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Little Giant campers carry Special Olympic torch to begin games

Fifteen-year-old Keith Bevely loves sports. With his favorite being football, he is a fan of the St. Louis Rams and often plays running back. When he runs, he said he thinks of nothing else but pure enjoyment.

So it comes as no surprise that Bevely's favorite part of Camp Little Giant has to do with athletics.

"I love running and the activities," said Bevely, who is a first-year camper.

But sports are not the only things in Bevely's life. The Herrin resident has been diagnosed with a minor case of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. According to Nathan Hopkins, who is the director of sports and games at Camp Little Giant, Bevely has been the primary caretaker for his ailing grandmother for the past two years.

Financial reasons prevented Bevely from originally coming to Camp Little Giant. All that changed once a couple of scholarship winners were unable to come, which freed up enough funds for a complete financial aid package.

"We, the staff, voted and we [believed] he deserved a vacation," Hopkins said. "I think it was very fitting that we let him run with it. He's an extraordinary kid."

Bevely acted as both the first and last transporter in the symbolic carrying of a lit torch, which was borrowed from the Special Olympics.

On Monday afternoon, campers and counselors lined up to trek through the wooded grounds at the Touch of Nature Outdoor Environmental Center. The ceremony acted as the opening event in the first Camp Little Giant Olympics.

The flame from the torch was later placed in a fire pit, where Hopkins instructed the campers on what was to happen the rest of the week.

The Camp Little Giant Olympics began Tuesday morning. The event includes a variety of sports including a softball throw, long jump competition, relay races and a bowling tournament.

Games are done by teams, which are divided up by cabins. Each cabin selected two or three competitors to participate in an event. To make sure there is equalization among the campers, the highest score in each competition will be thrown out. Also, members in wheel chairs must be included.

The closing ceremony, which will announce the winners, will take place Thursday night. Since the campers act on different teams, the awards are based on overall performance.

"It helps promote teamwork and representation of your fellow camper," Hopkins said.

Hopkins said the idea for the Olympics originated nearly six years ago. Since the last two weeks of operation are for children, Hopkins said the natural drive for competition that exists in children helped the plan come to life.

Located on the shore of Little Grassy Lake and surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest, Camp Little Giant has provided summer programming for adult and child campers since 1952. The camp has many services to cater to those with disabilities.

Hopkins, who has worked at the camp for the past 10 summers, said both the campers and the staff members enjoy the overall Camp Little Giant experience. He also noted that several past campers come back year after year. One such camper has been coming to the site for the past 50 years.

Hopkins also said he believes he has accomplished something through his employment.

"The smiles that you get the second that they walk in the door and you haven't even done anything yet are amazing," he said. "We have a good time out here, staff and campers alike. It really is a fun place to work, and you get a sense of fulfillment by the time it is all over with."

First-year counselor Alex Freedberg, 16, is an incoming senior at Waverly High School. Also the granddaughter of camp founder William Freedberg, she said she is the fourth generation from her family to have become an SIUC employee.

Freedberg said her choice to work at Camp Little Giant was based on its reputation.

"My grandfather died a month before I was born, and I have been coming to this camp since I was born," Freedberg said. "I just wanted to see what everyone was all excited about. My grandfather was really into it, so I decided to come down here and see what the big deal was about."

Now that she knows firsthand about Camp Little Giant, Freedberg said she would come back every year.

"It's something that will change your life," Freedberg said. "You are here for the campers. They are the most honest people, and they love you genuinely,"

Although Bevely is approaching the cutoff age for the children's section of the camp, Hopkins said consideration has been made for him to become either a counselor or a counselor-in-training in the years to come.

Hopkins said he believes the title of the camp suitably represents its campers.

"The name fits," he said. "What these children have to go through on a daily basis and how they do it is amazing. They truly are Little Giants."

Factoid: For more information about the camp or to inquire about employment opportunities, call 453-1121 extension 227.