SPECIAL EVENT

Fish fry lets public see inside Camp Aldersgate

Members of the Little Rock Midtown Rotary Club will cook up more than 1,000 pounds of catfish for the annual Camp Aldersgate Fish Fry, taking place Sunday.
Members of the Little Rock Midtown Rotary Club will cook up more than 1,000 pounds of catfish for the annual Camp Aldersgate Fish Fry, taking place Sunday.

The annual Camp Aldersgate Fish Fry on Sunday has the makings of a comfortable autumn outing: fall air, fried foods, family fun and a camp setting.

The camp, founded in 1947, sits just half-a-mile off Kanis Road in west Little Rock and is what events/marketing coordinator Hanna French calls a "little community that's inside Little Rock."

Camp Aldersgate Fish Fry

Noon-3 p.m. Sunday

Camp Aldersgate, 2000 Camp Aldersgate Road, Little Rock

Tickets: $15, children 6 and under free

(501) 225-1444 or campaldersgate.net

"We're 120 acres but we're still a Little Rock ZIP code," she says.

During summers, Camp Aldersgate hosts weeklong camps for children with a range of disabilities and illnesses including spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, cancer and asthma. Because of their physical and, in some cases mental, challenges, they are not able to attend regular summer camp.

The fish fry, now in its 33rd year, raises money for the camp while also raising awareness and giving the public a chance to see the camp. It's a popular event that draws hundreds every year.

There are enough people, in fact, that camp parking can't accommodate everyone. So, parking is available nearby at OrthoArkansas, 10301 Kanis Road, or Pediatrics Plus, 1900 Aldersgate Road, with shuttle service to the camp.

Part of the lure, of course, is the food. The $15 admission includes dinner provided by Sysco and prepared by members of Midtown Rotary Club; the all-fried fare includes catfish, french fries, hush puppies and even fried biscuits.

Some people choose to stick to the edible attractions, using the drive-thru at OrthoArkansas (also $15) to pick up their meals and go. But those who do miss out on the excitement at the camp.

Family-friendly activities will be set up around the grounds, with face painting in front of the health care center, rides on the camp's carousel and a fishing derby at the lake.

There's also the camp's new activity center where University of Arkansas at Little Rock athletes will play games with children.

The Cons of Formant and Jubilation Jazz will provide the music as people eat and wander around.

What's unique about Camp Aldersgate is how normal it is. The campers get to sleep in cabins, sing around the campfire, take nature hikes, go scuba diving, fish and do arts and crafts. The camp also has activities like a rope challenge course and archery range.

The benefits are not only for campers, French says: "Even though we are a camp for kids with disabilities, I think we also serve people who aren't disabled."

Volunteers at the camp can be as young as 14 and, French points out, "Those kids at that age are able to work with kids they haven't had interaction with. Just building that common ground is great."

There are also weekend camps during the school year and on Thursdays from August through May, there are special Seniors Day Out programs.

Camp staff and organizers hope that while visitors are chowing down and playing around they also take a closer look at the camp.

French says, "It's a fun day to come and see what we're about."

Weekend on 09/29/2016

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