Staff Writer

 All was quiet on Temple Avenue in Ocean Park Monday afternoon, but excitement was in the air at a camp tucked away on a residential side street.

A lawn mower hummed and golf carts whizzed down the paths of Oceanwood Camp and Conference Center on Royal Street while counselors led activities for campers of all ages and abilities.

The nonprofit camp, a ministry of the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, offers programs for children, families and campers with cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. Resident Director Scott Merrow said after being “quiet” for the past five years, the camp is working to improve facilities and revive programming.

In addition to summer camps, the facility is used year-round for environmental education, conferences and practice space for local performance groups.

“This is a really special camp on an unbelievable property, Merrow said. “It’s a place people can come to renew themselves in their faith. It’s good old sit around the table and play games with your family kind of fun.”

The camp sits on 130 acres in the woods of Ocean Park and is just blocks from the beach. Cabins are clustered among stands of trees off a worn dirt road that snakes its way from the main building to the horseback riding area. Merrow said Baptist ministers settled on the property around the turn of the last century and it has been a camp for more than 75 years. The church bought the camp 35 years ago, he said.

Merrow, who has worked at camps for more than 20 years, said Oceanwood is unique in its connection to the Ocean Park community.

“I’ve never seen a camp in a neighborhood before. Even though that camp is right here near everything, it’s almost a world away,” he said. “The community of Ocean Park I can’t say enough about. They are amazingly welcoming and helpful.”

Heather Fountain, who will spend her 24^th summer at Oceanwood running arts and specialty programs, said neighbors tell her they love hearing campers laughing, singing and playing throughout the summer.

“It’s an amazing place where people can come to relax, reflect, have fun and be excited,” she said.

Fountain said camp staff members focus on creating an environment where participants experience traditional camp activities regardless of their abilities. Budget cuts mean fewer and fewer places for adults with disabilities to attend programs like those offered at Oceanwood, she said.

Merrow said the camp has made accommodations so campers in wheelchairs can do anything from ride horses to play street hockey. They often participate in activities alongside campers of all ages from other programs. Oceanwood’s camps include sessions for families, single parents, grandparents and teens training to be counselors.

“We have this all-inclusive, all encompassing program,” Merrow said. “There’s a place for everybody.”

Kate Smith, program director, said the camp staff spent the past two weeks training to take care of campers’ physical and emotional needs. This summer, the camp’s 50 staff members include counselors from Ireland, England, Columbia and New Zealand.

“It’s one big happy family with all the things that go along with that. We try, and I hope we succeed in that, to make sure everyone who comes here becomes part of that family. That’s what the ultimate goal is.”

Natalie Souness traveled from New Zealand to spend the summer coordinating the leadership development program. She said the camp’s connection to the community is unlike any she has seen before.

“And it’s beautiful here. It’s such an amazing area to have a camp,” she said.

Merrow said the camp wants to continue to foster its relationship with the community. The camp will sponsor two summer concerts for families and host its annual Mid-Summer Festival with activities for the community.

“We’re this amazing hidden treasure but we don’t want to be hidden anymore,” Merrow said.