A donation from Maeve Staunton, Connecticut Girls Soccer Gatorade Player of the Year, supported Camp Inspire Ability, where accessibility and inclusivity take center stage during a week of fun, adaptive activities and friendship.

By Maddie O’Connell

Camp Inspire Ability, which took place Monday, Aug. 3 through Friday, Aug. 7, offered an exciting and engaging camp environment that was also accessible for campers with special needs.

This fun and inclusive summer camp was designed to help campers build confidence and foster new friendships, and run in partnership with the Justice Education Center and West Hartford Public Schools thanks to their programming and commitment to accessible opportunities.

This year, which marked just the second year the camp has taken place, was also supported by a generous donation from Maeve Staunton. Staunton, who was a counselor for Camp Inspire Ability the year prior, graduated from Northwest Catholic High School in 2026 and is now a member of the UConn women’s soccer team, ready to play for the Huskies this season.

In June, Staunton was named Gatorade Player of the Year for girls soccer for her outstanding athletic performance as well as community impact and leadership. 

As part of such honorable recognition, Staunton received a grant to donate to a nonprofit, which she decided would go to Camp Inspire Ability. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to the kids at Inspire Camp. Meg [Culmo] has been a role model to me for years, and her relentless drive to help others has inspired me in so many ways,” Staunton, who was unable to attend the camp this year due to the start UConn’s season, shared in a statement.

Meg Culmo, Inspire Ability Camp director and a former UConn basketball player, shared that, “We are especially grateful to Maeve Staunton for her generosity through the Gatorade Player of the Year program. Maeve is one of the most outstanding athletes to come out of West Hartford, but she is a better human being. We are so proud of her and so grateful for her support of Inspire Ability.” 

Culmo noted that the “impact Maeve has had on all of us is truly remarkable.” While Staunton’s donation provides valuable resources for the camp, it is also a powerful reflection of how the community is invested in creating inclusive environments for all children.

All 75 campers – ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade – who attended Camp Inspire Ability got to take part in a variety of activities including arts and crafts, science experiments, and outdoor and indoor games. These activities were led by a crew of counselors and volunteers, dedicated to creating the best possible experience for every camper. It is evident by the smiles and laughter visible throughout the camp that friendship is a key principle of the camp, and not just friendships between campers but relationships between campers and their counselors.

West Hartford educators who worked at Camp Inspire Ability were integral to the camp experience, providing dedicated support for campers. The camp offered breakfast and lunch for campers as well as transportation to Charter Oak International Academy, where the camp was held. 

The activities offered at the camp were centered around having fun, yet each activity provided campers with a chance to build connections and skills. Every corner of the camp offered something new. From beautiful arts and crafts laid out on the tables or chalk art displayed on the pavement outdoors, it was evident that creativity was a central focus of activities. Campers had the opportunity come together and create new experiences every day of camp.

“I can’t speak enough to how wonderful all the staff is and how great they are with the kids,” said Culmo. The activities are hand-selected by the staff, she said, tailored to what the campers demonstrate interest in. 

“It’s remarkable. It is the most amazing experience I’ve ever had,” Culmo said, adding that other staff members also feel the same way of the camp. Similarly, Culmo also shared what she hopes the campers can take away. “I hope they have fun. I hope they build their self-confidence. There’s nothing like summer camp. I want them to reflect on the memories of having fun, making friends, and growing. I want them to enjoy that experience.” 

Kelly Brouse, assistant director of Pupil Services for West Hartford Public Schools, said, “Every child deserves to have the chance to play and laugh with peers and adults they care about, and this camp ensures that opportunity is now more accessible for all.” There are truly so many things that make Camp Inspire Ability such a special part of the community, she said.

“I think it’s easy to get caught up in the craziness of everyday life and forget to give back. That’s why people like Meg, along with my older sister Nora, a special education teacher in Boston, are such incredible examples of selflessness. The whole teaching staff of Inspire camp is what makes the camp so special,” said Staunton. “The Inspire Ability program is special to me because it’s creating recreational, social, and physical activity opportunities for West Hartford youth who may not otherwise have access to these experiences,” added Culmo.

Jenna Santangelo, a Camp Inspire Ability staff member and West Hartford educator, said, “This is an opportunity for kids not to have the academic demands, to be social, to have friends and peers, develop relationships, be able to play and have a fun camp experience.” Santangelo shared that this is evident from the “numerous emails and phone calls about how kids have returned home happy. They’re loving it and thriving.”

The dedication of the staff was reflected in the experience each camper received. The efforts of the West Hartford Public School system and the generosity of Staunton contributed to the smiles seen on campers’ faces and the experiences and skills campers built while at Camp Inspire Ability – underscoring the mission of the district to ensure that West Hartford a truly inclusive place where all children can thrive.

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