Jean Gordon
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 1:00 pm
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When Steven Camp, 35, of Forest City returned home recently from the Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, Minneapolis, he brought home his ever present smile along with a bronze medal, a silver medal and a fourth place ribbon for his bowling skills. He bowled individually and also on a team.
"He was beyond excited," said his mother Thelma Twitty. She wasn't able to travel to Minnesota due to health reasons, but his dad Steve Camp of Spindale and his aunt Brenda Camp Pratt attended the games, which was somewhat of a surprise to Steven.
"My Daddy," Steven exclaimed when he saw his daddy in Minnesota, his aunt said.
"He was so thrilled he threw his hands up, he was so proud to see us," Brenda said.
Steve said watching his son bowl and being in the company of all the other Special Olympians, "was the best thing that's ever happened to me... To see what my son loves to do and then seeing him win medals, it's hard to describe," Steve continued.
Brenda echoed the comments, "I have never experienced anything like that in my life. To see the love they (Olympians) feel toward one another and the way they embrace each other, no matter what medal they receive, is hard to describe."
"It was so wonderful," Steve continued. "The Special Olympics has so much to offer...and just seeing him bowl and win medals was indescribable. They (Special Olympians) were so wonderful to each other. I think we could learn a lot from them," Steve said.
Thelma said when the 3,000 athletes entered the stadium to begin the games, she saw Steven lifting his hands up toward God and praising Him.
"Everybody was so happy," Steven said.
His Special Olympics Rutherford County (SORC) Coach Bill Seeber and Thelma picked Steven up at the airport on Saturday evening, June 27. Thelma described him as "being so excited, cool as a cucumber," but tired.
He returned to Rutherford Life Services on Monday and Tuesday and was home on Wednesday where he was catching up on some much needed rest.
Before heading to The Twin Cities, Steven was honored with going away parties at Rutherford Life Services and SORC hosted a party at Barley's where several athletes and friends joined him to wish him well, including his very best friend, Michael Cobb and his bowling coach Bill Seeber.
Local Special Olympics Coordinator Allison Kennedy posted on social media, "Just saw him at the opening ceremony... What an inspiring story."
"Bowling has been a big part of Steven's life for many years...Beyond the medals, Steven loves the friendships he has built through the sport and enjoys spending time on the lanes with his teammates and friends. Being selected for Team SONC is a reflection of his commitment, sportsmanship, and passion for bowling," Kennedy said prior to the games.
Coach Seeber said at one of the going away parties that Steven would "be the king of the bowling team" in Minnesota.
Upon Steven's return, Seeber said, "He won two gigantic medals (bronze and silver) and a fourth place ribbon...he was indeed crowned the King in Minnesota."
"It was just great seeing how big his smiles were getting off the plane," Seeber said. "Seeing him made us all very proud. He represented Rutherford County extremely well and we've received very positive feedback from the coaches."
"He's still King," Seeber added.