By Anna Pileggi | Executive Director
We are delighted to report that Camp Trailblazers 2011 was another great success! In all, 86 children attended camp and there were many new first time campers this year too!
Encourgaing children to attend at an early age can be challenging. They are afraid to go away from home, unsure of what to expect, and in many cases they are nervous because they don't know anyone and are scared that people will make fun of them, tease them. To encourage kids to attend Camp for the first time, our Camp Director, Randy Pielsticker created a short DVD which we mailed to all the age appropriate children in our database. He also sent it to the cleft and craniofacail clinics so that they could share it with their patients. You can watch the video online on our website at www.aboutface.ca
Some of the best feedback we recieved really hit home and it demonstrates what a difference camps make to our kids:
One mom wrote: I can not explain the gratitude that I feel for you Randy, AboutFace and the whole camp team! My daughter had the most amazing time! She can't stop talking about it!
Joanne was a shy, giggly 10 year old who had never been to camp ever before! 2009 was her first year. She had few friends at school by her mom’s account and didn’t seek out new friends on her own. This year she is one of our most seasoned Campers having attended all three years! She presents today as a kind and thoughtful (still giggly) 12 ½ year old girl who told us she comes to Camp Trailblazers to “make new friends” and have FUN! Her mom tells me she is a much more confident person at school and in her personal life since attending Camp. Moving and going to a new school in the upcoming year may be in the works. She tells us she looks forward to meeting new friends if and when this happens and thanks Camp Trailblazers for showing her how to meet new people.
Jack is a second time camper. In 2010 he attended Camp Trailblazers at his mother’s suggestion. She thought it was a good opportunity for him to meet new people and make new friends. His mom describes Jack as a “loner” not having many friends at school and rarely going places without a family member. He struggled at that very first camp with loneliness and anxiety. He constantly asked “when can I go home” and “I miss my family”. He interacted with the group only when instructed to do so and often sat out just observing the activities. WOW…what a surprise when Jack’s mom called me the week after Camp to tell me what a GREAT time he had had there!
This year Jack attended Camp Trailblazers with more relaxed appearance…less anxious. He actively participated in activities on his own and hearing him giggle with sheer delight as he played tag was truly heart warming. Jack says he might not be back next year so we should prepare ourselves…he plans to audition for a movie or be accepted into Model School! Amazing..how far away he is from the anxious boy who didn’t sleep or eat very much only 1 year ago while he had his first experience at Camp.
I will have Randy post some new photos from Camp this year for your enjoyment! Thank you for your support!
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