“Can we stay another week?” begged one of our 8 yr old kampers. It was Saturday morning and he, along with several others, didn't want to go home! Gee, I can’t understand why- they had leftovers for breakfast! Mac & Cheese, hot dogs & hamburgers and everyone’s favorite - Ice Cream!!!
Within what seems like the blink of an eye, Kay’s dream of a camp for kids with cancer, became a reality on August 8-15, 2009. We had eleven kids ranging in age from 5 to 17; most of whom had never been to an overnight camp, because most summer camps aren’t equipped to handle children with cancer or kids in remission who are still dealing with the side effects of the disease and its treatment. In the “ZOO”, our loving name for the infirmary, two Pediatric MDs, a Nurse Practitioner and 27 nurses did rotating shifts 24/7 and made sure each kamper received medications and TLC whenever needed! Funny, everyone in the ZOO wore an animal hat and a T-shirt that said “ZOO Keeper” - go figure!
When the parents said their goodbyes on Sunday, the kampers set off to make memory boxes to fill with all the treasures they would make or receive during the week. That evening we had a “Dream World” activity - let’s just say it involved eating hanging graham crackers, kampers washing faces and brushing the teeth of their counselors along with a visit from the tooth fairy and the Dream Master who only allows good dreams at kamp - he carried his blankie and cuddly bear! So, that night, each kamper received a cuddly bear to sleep with too!
Every day consisted of several activities; arts and crafts, sports and games, archery, camping skills, music, fishing, daily newsletter along with special events each afternoon; like a Swamp Trek, a very fun and very wet activity (there was also jello and instant potatoes involved.) We Tye-Dyed T-shirts, made sand art, dream catchers and scrapbooks. Now, we also had a waterslide - it was long, bumpy and a blast! The water power was complements of the Clayton Fire Company who kept the slide (and all of us) cool and wet! It was a huge treat when they invited the kampers to take a ride in the big red truck!
Our evening activities were the best! The Delaware Aerospace Foundation brought the “star lab” to kamp along with telescopes for each kamper to assemble - it was awesome! Volunteers from Pro Physical therapy came out Tuesday night to host a carnival with cotton candy, snow cones and a national champion Yo-yo performer that wowed the crowd with his remarkable talents. And what would the evening be without karaoke (Oh my!! Let’s just say we had many talented, brave, silly performers!) Wednesday we were scheduled to sleep out under the stars and watch a movie, but with the threat of thunder storms, we moved inside. No problem - with the help of the Wilmington University's Women's Volleyball team, the PJ contest was hilarious, the popcorn was yummy, the movie, Aladdin, was a perfect choice. We even had some brave kampers who decided to roughed it for the night in the tents we set up in the gym! The Kamp dance on Thursday night was great! Everyone dressed up, some more than others - let’s just say Superman, Tinkerbelle and Snow White showed up. The strobe light was flashing as DJ played everything from the Macarena, line dances, chicken dance and even the hokie-pokie! We danced until dawn! (Not really, more like until curfew, around 9:30.) Our campfire Friday night was blazing and each cabin group performed a skit, several involving silly string and jello filled balloons (yes, more jello!) We roasted marshmallows to make s'mores, roasted wieners and chicken nuggets too! Ever had a cocktail wiener with chocolate sauce?? Hey, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!!!
Check out the kamp website at www.kayskamp.org to read the WBOC TV & WDEL Radio interviews and The Smyrna/Clayton SunTimes article. There are pictures and short interviews with some of our kampers.
Thank you to everyone who prayed for us before, during and after Kamp week! God is amazing and Kaylyn is surely smiling!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13
Go Kamp!
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