Camp Courage Helps Patients Feel Like Kids Again
Camp Courage was rightfully named by former patient David Bishop who put it best when he said, "It takes a lot of courage to have cancer." In 2008, Clement's Kindness Fund for the Children announced a special gift of $500,000 to the BI-LO Charities Children's Cancer Center for the development of Camp Courage. The funds were used for the creation of The Clement's Kindness Cabins and Recreation Area. Every year, for five years, $100,000 will be given to Camp Courage. Now it is possible for the children who are fighting cancer or other serious blood disorders to attend a camp that meets their medical needs allowing them to safely experience summer camp.
Construction of the cabin pods began in early 2009 and was completed in time for Summer camp. Celebrating its 15th year, Camp Courage is a therapeutic component of the care provided by BI-LO Charities Children's Cancer Center for children ages 5-18 living with cancer or chronic blood disorders. For two weeks each summer, campers and volunteers come together to share a special time together. In 2009, a total of 106 children participated in Camp Courage.
The experience is designed to give the children and teens a fun, relaxing break from their often exhausting treatment routine. At camp, children and teens can remember who they are without their sickness, while at the same time, they have an opportunity to make friends with others who can relate to what they've experienced. The camp brings a bit of normalcy to patients that often feel that normal is not a word that describes them. It also allows the patients to be independent and separate from their illness and opens up the line of communication through understanding and empathy for the patients and their families. The dedicated staff at the BI-LO Charities Children's Cancer Center partners with many long-time and new volunteers to offer the experience.
The staff enjoys seeing the patients' true personalities that oftentimes aren't apparent in a clinical setting. Camp activities include tennis, canoeing, archery, arts and crafts, a dance, wall climbing and much more. The past several years, camp has also included a carnival for friends and family. The fellowship among the campers and with the counselors and volunteers is truly a treasure to all that participate. Currently it takes approximately $550.00 per camper to run one session of Camp Courage. This amount includes, arts and craft supplies, horseback riding, D.J. service, carnival service, supplies such as camp shirts and medical equipment and more. With our contributors' help, Clement's Kindness looks forward to continuing to support this incredible opportunity for children facing cancer and life-threatening blood disorders.