October 23, 2015
Kids First: Teaching Children with Chronic Illnesses to be Themselves
Every day, children all over the world learn that they have a chronic or life threatening illness, and their lives are changed forever. Not only must they come to terms with the illness itself, but often times they are forced into hospitals and out of schools where they can just be themselves. While these children are forced to grow up much too early, some very lucky children get to attend a camp through the Serious Fun Network that allows them to be themselves without fear, while still receiving all the medical care necessary for their safety. This summer I was lucky enough to be a part of this program, and help kids be kids. At Camp Boggy Creek, I worked not only as a counselor, but also as the Horse Barn Specialist, ensuring that every child who came through the gates of our camp could participate fully with our animals regardless of the camper’s age or ability. In addition to this, I also served as a mentor to some of our oldest campers, helping them discover their full leadership potential through games, storytelling, and the arts.
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