Diocese-owned camp closes door to 'Exceptional Citizens Week' citing unspecified 'violations'

GILMANTON — The exceptional story of Exceptional Citizens Week dates back to 1954, when the father of a child with Down Syndrome teamed up with a Catholic pastor and a pediatrician to open Camp Fatima to 25 boys and girls who, because of their intellectual disabilities, wouldn’t otherwise have been able to experience summer camp. That tradition, which according to Exceptional Citizens Week’s website has grown to include 170 campers and spawned similar camps across the country, is now over, after the Diocese of Manchester said unspecified conduct during the week was contrary to the mission of the property.

The organizers of Exceptional Citizens Week appear to now be searching for a new home for their storied camp. Many people associated with Exceptional Citizens Week have declined to speak with a reporter, citing the sensitivity of the issue, but a new sentence has been added to the “About” page of ecweek.org. It reads: “EC Week is currently in the process of moving to a new location. Watch this space to learn more.”

A post made on the “Exceptional Citizens’ Week” Facebook page offers a bit more of an explanation:

“After 60+ years of service to folks with disabilities, the Diocese of Manchester under the direction of Bishop Libasci, along with Camp Fatima Board of Directors and the Director of Camps, Andrew Thibault, has decided to no longer allow EC Week to operate at our beloved Camp Fatima,” the post reads. “We the volunteers, campers, families and donors are struggling to see the Catholic values of disbanding a program that has faithfully serviced God’s most beloved children. We also recognize the spirit of EC Week remains in each of us and we will continue to work to keep that space alive. This is heartbreaking news, but it will not break us.”

The use of the phrase “Catholic values” was likely referencing a prepared statement from the diocese about the use of the camp having been revoked. A message from Libasci’s office, dated Oct. 18, stated that although EC Week operated through volunteer labor and independently donated funding, any activities at Fatima “exist to reflect the highest ideals of our camps and camping programs. They must, by their very nature advance this shared mission, create a strong and healthy Catholic culture, remain faithful to Church teaching and, very importantly, reinforce the Camps’ values. These imperatives supersede any one program of the organization and is why E.C. Week will not continue at Camp Fatima.”

In response to a request for an interview, the diocese released an additional statement: “Code of conduct violations occurred during E.C. Week over the years despite the Camp Board of Directors’ efforts to ensure appropriate volunteer behavior and camper safety. However, there were no incidents of abuse reported.

“Camp Fatima remains committed to serving the Special Needs Community through its Special Needs Week, which serves nearly 200 campers each summer, and Camp Fatima will be looking to expand this experience for its beautiful campers.”

The diocese declined to answer follow-up questions which sought to determine what violations occurred, over what period of years, and what the efforts were to mitigate the situation.

Camp Fatima, which also operates Camp Bernadette for girls, has its own program known as Special Needs Week, which is open to campers with “mild to moderate disabilities.”

‘A great time’

One person who got an inside look at Exceptional Citizens Week this year was Justin Spencer of Recycled Percussion, invited by the camp to visit during the session in August. He brought along his bandmate Ryan Vezina, as well as several of their entourage, and gave the campers a performance to kick off the week’s annual talent show.

“I hadn’t heard of the camp before this year, we went and spent an afternoon there, got a tour of the camp and how it works,” Spencer said. He said he wasn’t aware of any circumstances for the closure, and offered his comments as merely reflective of what he saw first-hand.

“My experience with the camp was that I love to see individuals who have developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, have the ability to enjoy a camp just like everyone else should.”

Spencer said the group of campers there had a wide range of abilities: some were fairly independent, others needed assistive devices and one-on-one support. And all, he said, seemed to be fully enjoying the experience.

“People were having the time of their lives,” Spencer said. “From what I saw, they were teaching individuals there to use BB guns, they were taking them on boat rides, they were doing a talent show and every individual got 3 minutes to showcase their talents. We met them all, it was a great time.”

Spencer said the joyful experience was also shared by the volunteers who came, often returning year after year, to assist the campers. He said he hoped Exceptional Citizens Week could find a way to continue.

“I can’t speak to any transgressions that happened, but I’m on the side of, this camp is great,” Spencer said.