Exceptional Citizens’ Week at Camp Fatima Ceases Operations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2024

Exceptional Citizens’ Week at Camp Fatima Ceases Operations

Gilmanton Iron Works, NH – Exceptional Citizens’ (E.C.) Week, a week-long annual camp for children and adults with intellectual and physical challenges, will no longer operate at Camp Fatima in Gilmanton Iron Works. The Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, D.D., Bishop of Manchester, made this decision in collaboration with the Board of Directors of Camp Bernadette and Camp Fatima, Inc., the only Roman Catholic, diocesan-affiliated summer camps in New England.

“All programs of Camp Bernadette and Camp Fatima, Inc., exist to reflect the highest ideals of our camps and camping programs,” says Bishop Libasci. “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.”

E.C. week was made possible each year through the dedication of volunteers who also raised money to support the program and the camp. All donations to benefit E.C. Week, including invested funds, will be used to assist other programs for exceptional citizens pursuant to a long-standing agreement with the Friends of Fatima Committee.

Past participant families and volunteers are encouraged to identify and support other nonprofit organizations or programs that serve individuals with intellectual and physical challenges.

Camp Fatima’s Special Needs Week will continue to operate as a program for campers ages 9 and older with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities.

For more information about the Diocese of Manchester, visit www.catholicnh.org.

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The Diocese of Manchester is the Roman Catholic Church in New Hampshire, serving the needs of nearly 210,000 Catholics. For more information, please visit www.catholicnh.org/overview.