Team Mario’s summer camp marks decade of impact

By Amanda Alaniz

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS– For the past 10 years, Team Mario has hosted its Fun Fridays Summer Camp at UTRGV.

Camps for Team Mario, an organization dedicated to helping families and children affected by the autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are filled with activities modified for children with autism.

This year’s camp was held throughout June on the Edinburg Campus, with each day dedicated to a different theme, from Legos to music to superheroes.

On the final day of the camp, the theme was “Superhero Luau,” featuring a variety games, handcrafts and a pizza party.

Lisa Beccera, Team Mario program director, has been with the organization since the initial camp, which came to fruition at legacy institution University of Texas Pan American 10 years ago as a social skills camp for children with autism. The camp is in collaboration with the UTRGV College of Education and P-16 Integration, along with the support of Dr. John Lowdermilk, department chair and professor with the Department Human Development and School Services.

“When I think back on these 10 years, I’m just amazed. I hope we continue for 10 more years, so we can provide new experiences to new individuals,” she said.

This year’s milestone summer camp saw many first-time campers who had never experienced a summer program before, Beccera said.

Beccera said the overall goal of the camp is to give families an environment in which their child can feel included, accepted and supported, and where they can thrive. And they welcome volunteers, known as “buddies,” to help support the children while at camp.

One of the newest buddies is UTRGV senior Mechanical Engineering major Samantha Zúñiga. This summer camp was the first time she had volunteered with the organization, and she already has plans to continue helping.

She has a younger brother with autism, she said, so she has some insight into what the children need, and she is thankful for the chance to be part of their learning experiences.

“My brother is nonverbal. It does take a lot for him to build trust to feel comfortable with a person to do activities,” she said. “So being support for these other kids, knowing they have familiar faces to come to – whether it’s the other campers or volunteers – we’re able to give them that summer camp feel. It’s really fulfilling.”

At the end of the day, Fun Fridays is all about the campers, about giving them memorable experiences. Some of the campers return from year to year to have fun with their friends and take part in the fun-filled activities.

Karim, a graduating eighth-grader from Todd Middle School in Donna and a returning camper, said he enjoys every part of the camp.

“My favorite part is hanging out with my friends, talking, and talking to other people and having fun,” he said.

Beccera said it means a lot to her to see the campers come back, as well as to get new children to enroll. She doesn’t forget any of the campers who are part of Team Mario, and feels a sense of pride in seeing them grow.

“Our belief in the parents’ son or daughter translates into them believing in their son or daughter. And that has the capacity to change lives,” she said. “Just one person believing in this individual. My hope is, it’s a ripple effect and their lives will be better. I know my life is better because of it.”