The dust had barely settled on County Road 14 Friday, before kids began to pour onto the lawn of Dave and Laura Welchel. Some walked hand-in-hand with their parents, others powered their wheelchairs through the grass and gravel.

The purpose of the venture, besides just having a general good time on the farm, was to attend Camp Grace, a day camp organized by Lara Welchel and Lori Widener. Camp Grace is a place for kids with disabilities to go to to enjoy something other than a routine doctor visit. Not that those are very entertaining.

The camp allows for these kids-who learn about Camp Grace from the various therapists-a chance to push themselves in new ways.

Laura and Lori met through a common interest, foster parenting. As they got to know each other, they quickly became each others support group.

The camp got its name from Grace Widener. Grace was the adopted daughter of Wideners who had Downs Syndrome and other health related issues. During a blizzard in April 2009, Grace passed away. It was not something that was expected.

Laura, who knew Grace, began thinking of ways that she could honor her. She had considered doing a camp before and felt this would be an excellent way to honor Grace’s life.

She presented the idea, with all the details worked out to the Wideners, they quickly agreed.

This was the third session of the Camp this year. So far, each camp has had a theme.

“Last time we did a gardening session and the kids helped me to plant things,” Welchel said.

“They will be able to go out and see the peas they planted are growing,” she said.

For this camp it was rodeo time. After getting signed in and receiving cowboy gear, the kids sat on a bench to watch a roping demonstration. In the Welchel’s arena were John Robert Faden, Josh Stauffer and Mel Widener. Each were on the back of a horse, attempting to rope two steers.

After roping the first one, a black and white steer, the kids began chanting for the cowboys to, “rope the brown one.”

So they obliged. When the rope went around its head, the kids cheered. To add to the excitement, Widener decided to jump on the back of a steer and give it a ride. This drew more cheers and laughter, especially when he was bucked off.

Doug Provance, took some time to show the kids some of the tools and clothing of a modern day cowboy. He showed them chinks and explained the difference between them and chaps. He also showed them a branding iron.

JD Cathcart, and his son DC, were out to tell the kids about bull fighting. JD is a bull fighter at many rodeos in the area. His son, is a bull fighter in training, or more commonly known as a sheep fighter. Cathcart said in the rodeos if a bull riders gets caught up it is his job to help him. It is also his job to get the bull away from the rider when the rider is thrown off.

Welchel broke the kids up into different groups so they could try their hands at cowboying. Some attempted to rope a couple of roping dummies, others where shown how branding is done, and others still got to nail a horseshoe to a board.

Campers came from all over the Panhandle region. Some even travelled from as far as Gurnsey, Wyo.

Standing to the side, watching his son Domonic throw a rope on a roping dummy is Gabe Ramirez. Ramirez and his wife Ciara travel all over for doctors appointments for their son. He said they learned of Camp Grace from Domonic’s therapist in Scottsbluff and decided it was something Domonic would enjoy.

“This is a good chance for him to interact with others,” Ramirez said, “This is one of the more fun activities that he gets to do.”

The campers wrapped up their day at 2 p.m. Armed with cowboy hats, bandanas, branded pieces of wood and lots of memories they headed home. Anxious for the next camp.

Camp Grace is filing for 501c 3 status as a not-for-profit organization. They will be hosting a fundraiser barn dance on Sept 11.