Camp Fantastic

I just returned from volunteering as a medical staff for a week long camp for kids diagnosed with cancer. I only stayed three days, but it was enough to challenge my self-centered, lazy life. This was my first time working with kids; I am usually an adult oncology nurse. I loved being part of a camp whose focus is to allow these children to get out the hospital and into nature and fun times.

As a cancer patient, you feel tired and so you sleep most of the time, you can't go in the sun because of the drugs that you have to take. You end up isolated because of chemo and Dr appointments. You can't play sports or go swimming because you might bleed to death or get an infection, and life might end shorter than it might for everyone else.

So for these children to go to a 4-H camp in the woods, go swimming every day, be a part of a tribe of new friends, get to do crafts, play sports, go horseback riding, canoeing and be away from their parents for a week and all for free is such a gift.

I was overwhelmed by what I was able to witness. Dr and nurses took vacation time to be at camp. Cancer survivors come to be volunteers and counselors, clubs and organizations donate food, gifts and money.

And all the kids have so much fun!

My prayers are with all these kids!