Published September 18, 2015 Original Story
Kelley serves on the board of directors for Camp ASCCA on Lake Martin. Camp ASCCA is Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults with both physical and intellectual disabilities.
Kelley visited China to help foster a discussion on how the Beijing Sport University and Beijing Rotary Club could start a similar camp in China.
Rotary clubs across Alabama have long supported Camp ASCCA, building a dining hall and environment center, among many other contributions.
Camp ASCCA offers those with special needs a wide variety of recreational and educational activities, including swimming, tubing, canoeing, a splash pad, horseback riding, fishing, arts and crafts, a zip line and more.
“Our plan was to see if they would be interested in support a camp ASCCA-like facility in Beijing,” Kelley said.
Beijing Sport University was founded in 1953 and has helped developed Chinese sports, particularly at the Olympic-level, and physical education.
“They are crazy about gold medals,” Kelley said. “They really study every aspect of sports medicine to make their athletes as proficient as possible.”
While traveling in China, Kelley was accompanied by others representatives from ASCCA as well as a tour guide and translator.
While in China, Kelley was able to visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. He showed photos from those historic sites and others during his presentation.
Library director Becky Nichols said Kelley’s talk might lead to more stories from local people who travel the globe.
“What makes today unique is that he’s a traveler [instead of an author],” Nicholas said. “We may have discovered a new library series.”
This fall’s Lunch at the Library program will continue Thursday, Oct. 1 with author and chef Tasia Malakasis.
Lunch is available from noon to 12:30 for $8. Book sales and signing will be available before and after each program. Call the library at 874-1725 for reservations.
For more information about Camp ASCCA, call (256) 825-9226 or visit www.campascca.org. Applications for camps next summer will be available in December or January.
The Selma Rotary Club meets Mondays at noon at Church Street Methodist Church’s Windham Hall. Club president Manera Searcy can be reached at mssearcy@bellsouth.net.
Located in Alabama on Lake Martin, Camp ASCCA offers campers a wide variety of traditional recreational and educational activities with a unique design for accessibility.
Sign up for our eNewsletter to keep up with events and happenings at Camp ASCCA!
