‘The Nest’ sports complex aims to serve special needs children in Newberry County

NEWBERRY, S.C. (WIS) – The Screaming Eagles Special Needs Athletics non-profit organization has been providing the special needs community in the Midlands with athletic experiences since 2017.

Students from elementary school to college join to challenge themselves in a supportive environment where they can learn new skills.

3 years ago, the organization bought 34-acres of land they call “The Nest.” This property will serve as a complex space for current sporting activities, hands on farming and animal care, camping and hiking.

Monday’s event is the first Community Team Day at the complex. In attendance was the Newberry Sheriff’s Office, Pleasurecraft Marine and Newberry Fire Department.

These community members encouraged and supported the special needs athletes during their game.

Co-Founders Jenny and Patrick Bowers have made it their life’s mission to provide a one-stop-shop for special needs athletes of all ages to engage and grow in an environment that they may not usually have the opportunity to do.

Community members called “friendly helpers” join the athletes on the field to support them. Newberry Sheriff Lee Foster did just that on Monday.

“They do many good things, for children with special needs and handicaps, gives the opportunity for the kids to get some exercise and learn sports and to participate in sports and from our standpoint it gives us the chance to interact with the community which is really important,” Foster said.

While Monday brought many to the property, the non-profit’s plans far exceed one soccer field.

Jenny Bowers said The Nest will include indoor and outdoor sports, farming, camping, hiking, treehouses, and even daily activity therapy for those with special needs. Thirty-seven athletes competed on the field joined by those friendly helpers.

But Screaming Eagles don’t just host soccer games, they offer other sports as well. WIS News 10 spoke with community members who said they had no idea there was such a need for this kind of program.

“Honestly, what we discovered is that there are so many children, this is the Chapin, little mountain area, that have these needs, and we said, we just never thought about that,” said President of the Chapin Woman in Service Carol Smith.

There is no plan yet for when The Nest is completed.

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