'Day in the Park' brings together kids of all abilities in St. Charles

About 700 children and young adults attending local summer camps attended the 16th annual "Day in the Park" hosted by Fox Valley Special Recreation Association and St. Charles Noon Kiwanis Club at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles Wednesday.

The event brings summer camp kids of all abilities together to "emphasize the ability in disability" during three hours of play at the park.

Campers from local park district programs including Batavia, Fox Valley, Oswego, St. Charles and South Elgin joined FVSRA campers to play in bouncy houses, make tie-dyed shirts, dunk their camp counselors in a dunk tank, dance to music played by a DJ, and snack on popcorn and ice cream.

"What's so special about (the event) is that it is truly an inclusive day of play ... they're all playing together and having a good time," said Mike Selep, assistant director of the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association.

"There is no real difference between someone (who) has an ability or disability. Everyone is just having a good time."

He said the event originally was conceived for FVSRA campers "to have a great day together, but by inviting all the other camps and all the other people, it's turned into even a better day."

For more information about FVSRA, go to fvsra.org.