FORT BENNING, Ga., (May 21, 2014) -- Benning is hosting the Exceptional Family Member Program Olympics for children in EFMP who are between the ages of 6 to 18 at 9 a.m. June 7 at Stewart-Watson Field.

The first of its kind on post, Capt. Shawn Toher, an EMFP Olympics coordinator, said the Olympics was created in order to build camaraderie among EFMP Families.

The Olympic events are broken up by age group and then categorized by disability, he said.

"This way the people with the same type of disabilities can participate in the same age group," he said.

Events include aquatics, bowling, long distance running and power lifting.

It is important for children to have a venue where they can participate in the same way children without disabilities can, he said. It also builds teamwork and competition, bringing Soldiers and their Families together.

But whether you are part of EFMP or not, "we're all part of the Army Family," he said. "Coming out to support the Olympics is a great way to show team spirit and support the children."

Melissa Simmons, a military spouse whose 16-year-old daughter Princess Simmons is in the EFMP program, said she was thrilled about the opportunity for her daughter to participate in the event.

Not only does it help engage EFMP children, it also brings better awareness to the resources available to Families, she said.

Her daughter, who is autistic, is participating in bowling, track and field and rock climbing.

"It's all about doing the best that you can with the abilities you have," she said.

EFMP is a program for active-duty Soldiers who have Family members with special medical or educational needs.

For more information, visit http://benningmwr.com/exceptional-family-member.