Camp to file suit against swim club

The day-campers who were turned away from a private Huntingdon Valley swim club after their first visit will not be returning despite the club's invitation and are planning to sue the club.

Alethea Wright, executive director of Creative Steps Inc., and family members of dozens of campers said at a news conference this evening they rejected Valley Club's offer to bring day campers back after a June 29 trip led to racial comments and a request not to return.

"The children are permanently scarred," Wright said.

She said she received a text message from club president John Duesler today about the offer to return, but had not called him back. Attorneys for the day camp and families said they plan to file a federal discrimination lawsuit later this month.