campnews

MDA Summer Camp
News
2005

July 17, 2005

I returned for my 5th year as Arts & Crafts Director for my local MDA Summer Camp. Spending five days with these amazing kids just isn't enough time but I'm thankful for the little time we have.
Our weather was unseasonably cool for June. Usually the days are hot and the night are cool and the kids spend all the time they can in the pool. This year was quite different. Not too much time in the pool and many wearing sweaters or light jackets. Nights were quite chilly and I sure wasn't prepared for it but I loved it. The air was cool, dry and breezy which played havic on all of our lips. The camp store sold out of all the chapstick.

We had a new camp director, again!! There were also many new staff members including the nurse. The only veterans were myself and Joe. Joe is the backbone at camp. He is our caffine, security, big brother, cheerleader, enforcer, our friend. Joe keep everyone having fun and everyone inline.

We had our usual activities with the exception of my department, Arts & Crafts. Actually, Arts & Crafts didn't even open until Wednesday and camp is over on Thursday. Such a disapointment for the kids as well as myself. Keep in mind this was totally out of my control. The new director and her staff left my supplies at the local MDA office. I had asked several times a day about my supplies and they looked like deer caught in headlights. So finally on Tuesday afternoon they went after my supplies and camp back that evening. Bright and early the next morning I checked out my supplies, organized them and prepared for the day of art. The kids were thrilled that now they could create.

The film crew came to camp again to film the kids short movies. I think only 2 groups out of 4 groups got to perform. I'm still not sure why this is. Lack of organization, maybe. Regardless of that, they had a blast using their imagination to create a story. This reminds me.....I have to call MDA to see if the DVD's of the movies as well as the camp photo are available yet. It's a shame we never received copies as promised last year. Hopefully this year will be different.

Movie night we help indoors this year due to the temperature outside. This years movie was, "The Incredibles". I enjoyed it as much as the kids did. Usually the kids are given soda, candy, popcorn and ice cream. This year they did not. This year they were given a cup of ice cream and that is all. They enjoyed it but they also know how it usually is and they were questioning this. Again, with new people running camp things will be not only different but maybe a bit unorganized.

Campfire night was nice. The kids got to make smores and they were so excited about this. After this the Worm Wrestling began. Worm Wrestling is where two people each take a zipped up sleeping bag and place over their head and cover their entire body. They then begin to wrestle without being able to see and without using their arms. This was so funny to watch. The counselors would wrestle eachother with the bags on. When it camp time for a camper to wrestle a counselor the counselor kept the bag on while the camper did not wear one. Everytime other counselors would hold the competing counselor down while the camp would pounce on him and pin him. Oh, I wish I'd taken my camcorder!!

VIP Day was on Tuesday. VIP Day is a day we invite sponsors to come to camp for lunch and meet the kids. It's a day to show the VIP's what camp is all about and what their generous donations. Normally we get at least 30 sponsors who show up. Firefighters, Harley riders, medical supply companies, Kiwana's Club, etc.. We have great food, shaved ice, entertainment. But this year we had, I think, 4 sponsors show up. To those sponsors....THANK YOU!!! You are angles!! I'm thinking there was lack of communication somewhere. VIP Day we always have a full house. Despite this, it was a nice day and good food and beautiful weather.

After the VIP lunch and giving the sponsors a tour the wheelchair races began. There were records to break and scores to settle and no mercy was shown. So many rival when the races start. Good fun! Some of the kids played a bit of basketball before the races.

Canoeing & fishing was very busy this year. I had never seen so many kids want to canoe. It was great!! And to see how careful and caring their counselors are when it comes to placing the child in the canoe and getting the child out of the canoe......it warms my heart.

Speaking of counselors......they are amazing. We always have new counselors but we also have a few that return year after year. They are so dedicated to their camper. They give up a week of their life to come to camp to help a child have a great experience. And then some of these counselors go to a couple different MDA camps after our camp. Just amazing!!

The last night was the dance. Oh, how the kids look forward to the dance!!! The prepare for the dance on the first day of camp. Deciding what to wear, who to ask for a date, who they want to put on their dance card. When they get out on that dance floor it's as if nobody else is around. They can out dance anyone!

I had my own staff this year, sort of. Actually they were counselors whose campers didn't show up to camp. So they became "My People" as I refered to them. They consisted of Patty, Song, John, Colin, Jordan & Vang. Song, Vang & Jordan were only their part of the time. They were all such a great help to me and always eager to help. Thanks, guys!!!

Overall, this years camp was run poorly but being with the kids made it all worth while. The most important thing is that the kids had fun. Days filled with good food, fishing, water fights, smores, arts & crafts, swimming, canoes, games, laughter, making friends, taking pictures, making memories and tears when saying good-bye.

MDA Summer Camp 2006 is a long 10 months away. CAN'T WAIT!!!

Camp photos!