camp hope 2009

KARIN MARTINEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center attends Camp Hope 2009!

Getting to Texas.....

This year 42 children from the CFAP program traveled with 4 counselors and 3 medical staff on Continental Airlines to Houston. A bus awaited us for the trip from Houston to Burton, Texas, where Camp Hope is held each summer. Without the help of our send off CDTC crew who volunteered to be at the FLL airport on Sunday at 5:30 am, we would not have made the flight. Thanks to all of you early birds for getting us off to a GREAT start!

The morning was full of sleepy yet excited children anxious to board the plane and once on the bus there was a buzzing excitement throughout as thy anticipated arriving at camp. One little boy who was coming back to camp for the 5th year was still nervously asking " Are we there yet?" while another sat quietly in his seat missing his daddy-- a first time camper. Now he is running around with a constant smile on and truly having a blast!

 

Arriving at Camp!

The screaming starts with the second right turn off the highway as the return campers don't forget the turns it takes to get to Camp even a year later. It gets louder and louder as we approach the driveway lined with counselors awaiting their campers. Marc, the Camp Hope director boards the bus and calls each child by cabin number, this year he has to wait for over 5 minutes until the rowdy crowd quiets  and they can hear the cabin numbers-- then off they go to meet their cabin counselors and wow, there's our favorite photographer, Karin catching their smiles, and hugs as they see their friends and counselors.

POOL TIME!

After meeting their cabin mates, reviewing cabin rules and picking a bed , it is off to the pool. This is definitely one of the kids' favorite activities and who can blame them in 105 degree weather. Among the best parts of pool time is running up completely wet and hugging Dr. Puga just to get her wet!  

Meds, Meds, and More Medicines.

One hundred and thirty special health needs kids at Camp are here to have lots of fun however they come with lots of medicines. The medical team, 4 doctors, 2 nurse practitioners, 2 nurses and 3 pharmacists, spend all of the first day organizing the medications by cabins and packing the doses by child and cabin for each day the rest of the week; in between, they take care of any ailment the children or counselors have while at camp. "My tummy hurts" and I'm tired" are the two most common reasons campers visit the medical cabin followed by " I don't like this medicine" and after pool time, "My eyes are red and sting." 

Each day 1032 doses are given to the 130 campers and by the end of the week, we will have dosed over 6000 doses to keep the children alive & well.

   

Dining Hall Fun!

It's always exciting to see how your dinner table has been decorated. This year the Camp Hope theme is "A Celebration" and each cabin is assigned a holiday or celebration; we had a Happy Birthday cabin, a Thanksgiving Day cabin, a President's Day, and so on. The counselors decorate the cabins and dining tables according to their celebration/holiday and it is always great to see how creative they get!

The Dining Hall is a special place not only for all of our meals and for taking our medications but also for Morning Aerobics and to make the most noise with your friends so your cabin can win the Spirit Hat for the day and then you'll get to be on TV at dinner for CNN, Camper News Network!

Glamour Shots!

Every year on the first day of camp, all the campers get to dress up and take great glamour photos that they get to bring home to share with friends and families! Even the counselors and Dr. Puga joined in the fun. This year only the girls did it because the boys went to a Magic Show. Here are some for you to view, enjoy!  

 

 
"The best thing I liked was swimming and glamoour shots. You can learn swimming lessons and you can dress up and put on make up"

 

Camp Life.... Canoeing

The lake is beautiful even with the floating red and green algae everywhere because it had not rained here for months (of course until the Floridians got here, then we've had rain everyday at least once a day). The canoe dock is new and now its a lot easier for everyone to get on and off the canoes, even for the ones on wheelchairs.

 

 
"The best thing was canoeing because I won the race."

Camp Life.... Cooking

One of the best activities was cooking! We cooked three dishes today- nachos, Macaroni & cheese with broccoli, and coconut delight. "I got to chop some peppers, stir the macaroni and crack an egg" "I had never made anything in the kitchen before and the best part was that you got to eat it after, yummy!" 

 

 
"I liked cooking because we made cornbread, chicken and macaroni & cheese" 

Camp Life.... Fishing

Another favorite of the campers. Today a few girls even got Dr. Puga up for early morning fishing. "I caught one", screams one of the girls,who caught a huge catfish.  

Camp Life... Arts & Crafts

Yesterday, Cabin 7 had so much fun at Arts & Crafts. The girls made tie-dye shirts in lots of colors. "Wow, this is so cool", a little one says as she takes off the rubber bands and sees the patterns on her shirt.   Today, was beads. "Look at how my bracelet is coming out" 

Camp Life... Beauty Spa

Little girls, nail polish and cucmber eye treatments what else could a princess dream for..., well, doing your counselors make-up and hair that's even more fun! This activity starts off with the girls telling each other something beautiful about the other on the inside, then they get to pretty up on the outside with manicures and make-up.  

 

Camp Life...Night Life

Each night something fun happens for the youngest campers and the older campers do something fun too! This year activities included camp fire, game night, movie night, black light party, mud football, slumber party and of course there is "The Dance" on the last night followed by cabin raves. This year the campfire was put out by the rain storm but great ice cream made up for missing the Smores.

 

THANK YOU SMILEY POOL FOR THESE PICTURES!! www.smileypool.com

Camp Life... Nature, Horses & Barnyard animals

Turtles, snakes, iguanas and yes even a tarantula for the children to learn about and hold. Rabbits, sheep, goats, ducks, pigs and a lovely llama to pet. Horses to groom and ride-this is great! This activity brings out a very gentle side of the children as they softly hold the animals and admire their beauty.  

 

Oh, and I almost forgot the friendly barnyard cat.

Camp Life... Bicycles, tricycles & more

Everyone gets to ride at Camp! There are training wheel bikes, tricycles and even bikes for the wheelchair-bound kids to peddle with their hands!

 

Capturing the Joy

Capturing the smiles in their faces on camera and with our eyes is one of the most rewarding parts of camp for the grown ups that return year after year. Seeing the aliveness and joy in the children's faces is what makes all the work to get to Texas and during Camp, fun and the experience so worthwhile that it lasts all year. 

 

"Camp Hope was an incredible & inspirational experience that reminded me of what really matters in life..." - Kathy, a first time medical counselor

"Camp hope has given me the privilege of watching our kids grow up and reminds me that they are all 'Everyday Heroes' all year long"- Jamie, counselor for the past 9 years.

 

" My favorite thing about camp is being able to see the children's face light up as they arrive. It is also so moving to see the children when they leave. I always cry along with them."- Vanessa, a counselor for the past several years.

"Camp is special  because it is a safe haven for a lot of the kids. It's aplace where they know they will be taken care of and loved."

 

 

"Camp allows our kids to be kids"- JJF, a counselor for the past several years

"Camp Hope gives Hope to our kids." - Collette, a first time counselor

 

 

Year after year the same CDTC staff (and a few new ones) come to camp, they serve as camp counselors, mentors, mommies & daddies, and safety keepers from 7 am, early morning fishing until 11 pm, Lights Out time(unless they have the teen cabins who stay up talking in their beds until 1 am)

Camp Life... High Ropes, Giant Swing and the Zip Line

Almost everybodies favorite activity is High Ropes and this year it had 2 new areas, the giant swing and the super high ropes. We love ropes beacause "we get to climb really high and slide down really, really fast" "It's so much fun especially the new giant swing- you swing super fast and high in the air-it's really cool."

 

"High ropes was alot of fun because you got to go up in the air and swing down fast."

We all have to help to get them up. Great teamwork!

"I did it!" Wow!

Extra Special Care at HIGH ROPES!

It took a wheelchair, a ladder, a tractor,  two photographers, a cheering squad and a SUPER COURAGEOUS girl to have a little fun! The best part was hearing her yell  "Yeah, WOOHOO!"

Way to Go!

Camp Hope Gives Back

Each day a cabin does some act of service to give back to the Camp For All staff. Even the medical cabin joins in the spirit of giving back.

Today it was Cabin 8 and they served lunch.

 

 

The littlest girls had to serve on Lasagna day. It's really tough to cut lasagna when you're only 7 or 8 but they did it with a smile! 

Camp Life... Carnival

While the older children enjoy Water Day on the other side of the campground, the little ones have a ball at the Camp Carnival! 

 

 

Camp Life... Medicines, Breathing Treatments and Shots

This young boy needs to give himself a shot twice a day. Another young girl needs to have breathing treatments three times a day and a little one has to give herself her medicine through a tube in her stomach twice a day and it goes on and on. This is the part of camp that is not so much fun but it is vital to staying healthy for all the campers. Thanks to the medications, we have children getting too old for camp. Universal Teens is the extension of Camp Hope in  Houston to teach these youth how to transition into healthy working adults. Plans are underway to expand Universal Teens to Ft. Lauderdale for our youth who aged out of Camp Hope and are 16, 17, & 18 now.

Camp Life... Smiling Faces

Canteen is snack time at camp but it also is camera time as you hear the campers calling: "Hey Camera Lady, Take my picture" In case you haven't figured it out, our Camera Lady is Karin Martinez, a great friend of CDTC's and a world-renowned photographer in Ft. Lauderdale whose amazing ability to capture the Spirit of the Children in photographs is spectacular! Karin, Thanks, Thanks, Thanks!

 

 

 

For over a decade, Tuesday's Angels has been supporting Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center in many ways including putting smiling faces on our children by funding camp with a very generous donation year after year. Thank you, Tuesday's Angels!  You truly are our angels, thanks!

Camp Life... Camp Idol Talent Show

Each year on Wednesday night Camp has its annual talent show. The children or cabins who want to participate practice since Sunday during cabin time and the rest of us get to watch an amazing show. This year I thought how great it would be if any one of these children grew up to join the Florida Follies, not only would that mean that their disease was well controlled to age into their 60's  but that they continued to develop their performing talent that they first practiced at Camp Hope! This year we owe a BIG THANK YOU to the Florida Follies for supporting the costs of the airfare so the children could participate in Camp Hope: A Celebration! Support our friends and attend The Florida Follies Celebration shows this year! To find out more about how you can help CDTC send children with chronic illness to camp, call 954-728-1040.

A few words of encouragement is all it took for this little one to perform a dance on stage with her friend. And even though she said they hadn't practiced they were great!

Camp Life... Paint ball and Archery

Safety matters at Camp and that is why paintball is at targets and not at campers. It is so much fun that the children don't even mind all the rules and protection devices they must wear.

 

 

Archery-  this doesn't sound like much fun at first but once you hit a bull's eye then "Wow, I hit the target, this is sooo cool" " I never thought I'd make it and I did" "Look at me, I'm going to hit it now"

Camp Life... Graduation

Camp graduation- a bittersweet moment for all. Today, the Florida gang was extra proud because 2 of our kids were counselors in training(CITs) and they had done a GREAT job so far and were encouraging the new graduating campers to volunteer as CITs. When camp started, we rarely reached the point of having campers graduate so that is a wonderful part of this activity- to know that they have stayed healthy enough to age out of camp is super! For the campers, it is a sad moment to know that they won't see their friends from Texas next year but in the end they know that it is also a good thing to grow up and become adults and naturally, they all want to come back as CITs.

Camp Life... More Pool, Water Polo & Water Day Fun!

Pool time everyday is so awesome! This year we even had a new activity, water polo, which was great because it is really hot in Texas! We played on inner tubes and had to get the ball into our goal but there were some really good goalies!   

 

 

 

"I liked swimming and the dance"

 
"The best time at camp was water polo simply because all my friends were playing."

"I loved water polo and the after party."

Camp Life... Sports

"WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL!" Sports activity is a cabin choice of dodgeball, softball, basketball and others but most cabins pick the challenge of Wheelchair Basketball! Wheelchairs are everywhere at camp in this game of basketball everyone plays from a wheelchair and it is a tough game while also being a lesson on respect and sensitivity towards others, especially for the boys and girls in a cabin with a wheelchair-bound child.  

 

 

"The best thing at camp for me was wheelchair basketball because my team won!"

Camp Life... Beautiful Me

The afternoon before dance night volunteers from MAC cosmetics come and help all the girls get ready for the party! They are suddenly transformed from little girls to lovely ladies and the excitement is palpable in the room!

Camp Life... The Dance!!!

The Dance happens on the last night of camp and the drama about the dance starts on Sunday just as we get off the bus."Who will dance with me?" "Who will take me to the dance" "Who will be my date?" Everyone loves the dance and of course the after parties or raves since it is the first time all week they all get junk food and sodas. Oh, how could I forget those glow in the dark accessories- they are definitely awesome!

Camp Life... Goodbyes and a great big Thank You!

This is the saddest day at camp. Everyone gets the memory books after breakfast and off they go to have their friends and counselors sign them but then they realize the buses are in the driveway and the crying begins. No one wants to leave. Camp Hope is a happy, safe and fun place to be, who can blame them for wanting to stay! Although there are tears of "I don't want to leave" most of them are tears of friendship and fun and I'll see you next year. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marc, the Camp Hope Director from AFH, says a special goodbye and 'til next year to the Florida children and counselors. We are truly blessed to have had Marc open his arms to CDTC and embrace our children's attendance at Camp Hope for the past 12 years. Thank you, AFH!  THANK YOU, Marc!  You are a truly special man who makes joy come alive at Camp for all the children every year!

 

 

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We made it! Thank you for all of your support in making camp a reality for these children and the hope of truly seeing their friends at camp next year a real possibility. Without the support of donors like you, these children would not have the opportunity to experience anything like Camp Hope- a life-altering, friendship-building and life-enhancing week of "too much fun" for children who often feel sick, tired and isolated and can't be fully open with friends about their illness- everything changes this week for them and they learn that they are not alone and that taking medicine is not so bad and it could even be fun as one little one teaches another to swallow pills so you don't have to taste that "yucky stuff" and most of all that they have people who care about them and just want them to be kids having fun every second of each day at Camp!

What Camp Hope means to me...

My favorite thing at camp is the bond created among the children as they see that they are not the only ones fighting this disease, having to take medicines and sometimes feeling sick. They make friendships that grow over the camp years and extend beyond camp. This year the children wrote on the ride home what camp means to them and I wanted to share these with all of you. It truly is very hard to put in words what camp means and does for these children, I know for me it inspires me to continue to do the work I do for yet another year! Thank you again for helping fund this program so that these children have an opportunity of a lifetime to feel and be normal, to make lasting friends, to just be kids and have a blast for one week every year! Thanks and enjoy their words about what camp means to them. 

"I love making new friends and opening up to enjoy myself and others."

"Camp Hope means everything to me"

Words from a counselor in training(a former camper): " Camp was so fun for the campers and counselors. I had so much fun even though I was watching the kids, I loved it so much"

"Camp means everything to me. I loved the giant swing"

"Camp Hope means to me to make friends and have hope to find the medicine to stop the HIV."

"Everything"

"Camp Hope gives Hope"

"I loved everything"

"I love camp because I can see my closest friends and be myself"

"I liked making new friends and everything else" 

"Camp means Everything"

"Camp hope means a lot of things to me, it means being around people that are in the same situation you're in like having HIV/AIDS, but its also about making friends and having fun. Camp Hope rocks!!!"

I hope you enjoyed this virtual camp experience and will want to help support our efforts to keep the Camp programs at Children's Diagnostic & Treatment Center alive for years to come. CDTC is a wonderful Center for children with special healthcare needs and we have special events or programs all year long, such as Camp, Back to School, Basket Brigade, Santa's Toy Village, etc. For more information about the Center, its programs, how you can help or to make a donation, please call Stephanie at 954-728-1040.