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Annual Camp ECHO held at Cedar Lakes

Participants in Camp ECHO 2017 pose for a photo at the annual camp held June 4-7 at the Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley. Camp ECHO is a program of the Wood County Society. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Society, a local non-profit organization that offers 11 programs for youth and adults with developmental disabilities, held Camp ECHO on June 4-7 at the Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley.

Camp ECHO, short for Every Camper Has Opportunity, is the largest of the 11 programs the Wood County Society offers each year. The camp provide respite care for individuals with developmental disabilities and activities throughout the week.

The theme was “We are the World – Dream – Achieve – Inspire.”

Participants were engaged in art therapy, experiential activities and equestrian therapy, enjoyed performances by Jump Company U.S.A., pro wrestlers, music by the Proclaimers, the annual Talent Show and a “Glow in the Dark” dance party.

Appearances were also made by Miss West Virginia Strawberry Festival Teen Sydni Smith, Miss West Virginia Three Rivers Festival Teen Alexis Bland, Miss West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Jocelynn Wilson, Miss West Virginia Teen USA Olivia Hutchinson, Bret Powell and his therapy dog Molly, race cars from Ohio Valley Speedway, girls spa day hosted by Headlines Day Spa and American Sign Language education by Caryn Keller.

Camp ECHO ended with a grand closing ceremony celebrating the accomplishments and success of every participant at Camp ECHO.

As part of the “inspire” movement this year, Camp ECHO clients, counselors and staff collected items for the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley and its mission to provide adoption, rescue and care services for homeless animals in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Camp ECHO hosted 61 clients, 60 counselors, 10 staff and three nurses throughout the week. The Wood County Society, a United Way Partner Agency, collaborated with the Arc of the MOV in providing People First Training to Camp ECHO counselors and staff and further collaborated with SW Resources in providing art therapy to participants at Camp ECHO.

For more information on the Wood County Society and programs offered go to woodcountysociety.com, call the Wood County Society at 304-428-4280 or email woodcountysociety@gmail.com.

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