Colorado

Capturing the Moments of Our 10th Birthday Colorado Camp

by Teresa DeBroux Hough, FL

Those who know Camp To Belong well know that those of us who have lived it speak often of “having a moment”- an encounter that words cannot do justice.  Camp To Belong’s 10th birthday camp session at Anderson Camps in Colorado in June 2005 was full of moments for many of its 43 volunteer counselors and for founder Lynn Price.  They, along with almost 90 brothers and sisters came from as far north as Canada, west as Oregon, East as D.C. and south as St. Thomas.  Some were moments that surprised and amazed us all.  Some occurred on Inspiration Night and some at the closing campfire.  But some evolved when we least expected it, during quiet conversations with our campers.

While walking back from the climbing wall with a girl named Asia, she told me that she had been excited before coming to camp and that she enjoyed participating in activities that she and her brother Alexander could do together.  She said, “Now I know what camp means- caring, affectionate, many people.”  That was a moment for me.  This 13-year-old girl was relishing the time with her brother and felt comfortable and happy in the presence of the other campers and volunteer counselors around her.

Another counselor, Karyn Schimmels, told of a moment she shared with a 14-year-old camper named Keisha.  Keisha had had a difficult time letting down her guard, enjoying the camp activities, and engaging with her twin brother and many of the volunteers.  She had asked Karyn several times in the first couple days, “When do we go home?” because she was eager to leave. 

After Inspiration Night and the Birthday Party Event, Keisha asked Karyn again about when camp ends.  Karyn said, “Keisha, you just asked me that this morning.  Why are you asking again now?”

Keisha replied, “Because I don’t want to go home.”  That was Karyn’s moment.

I think it is safe to say that all of the volunteers shared in the moments at Inspiration Night, as campers from 8 to 17 years bared their souls and shared their feelings about their siblings, the reasons for their separations, and their words of encouragement to other campers to cherish their brothers and sisters. 

Some of the comments made by campers and counselors at Inspiration Night speak for themselves.  Carl, age 17 and a returning camper, said, “My sister and I used to be like this,” with his arms spread as far apart as possible, “but now we’re like this,” with his fingers crossed.

Jessica, 13, also a returning camper, said, “I didn’t know there were so many foster kids… Now I get to spend a week with [my brother], and I just thank God for that.”

Robert, 13, admitted fighting over stupid things with his brother and advised, “Don’t let that get in between your love for your brother or sister.” 

Katy, 15, a returning camper, said, “I’m really, really glad I was able to come to this camp twice in a row… You’re all by yourself once you get separated.”  After last year’s camp, Katy talked to her foster mother and asked if one of her sisters could come live with them, and her wish was granted.  “I am so glad for this camp.  It has helped a lot.”

Dezmond, 17, encouraged the other campers to “Keep your head up… If you’ve got dreams and goals, don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it, because that’s a lie.”

Megan Epner, a volunteer counselor, told the campers, “You amaze me- how well you write, how well you communicate, how well you fight and make up… The quiet ones, the tough ones, the strong ones- you’re the only one who can get down deep to that place in your soul where you are connected to your brothers and sisters.”  And get down to the core of their love for their siblings is what they did all week.

At the closing campfire, three of the most significant moments for me involved campers named Tabitha and Keisha and our camp leader, Patrick “Big Daddy” Harden.  First, a 17-year-old camper named Tabitha had had a trying week at camp, arguing constantly with her sisters, butting heads with counselors, and worrying about her responsibilities and jobs that awaited her at home.  At the campfire, Tabitha publicly acknowledged and apologized for her actions during the week, embraced her younger sisters, and seemed to be trying to accept the friendship offered to her all week.  This was a moment.

Second, Keisha, the camper to whom I referred earlier, was a shy, quiet girl who didn’t interact much with her counselors most of the week, but at the closing campfire she stood up and spoke briefly to the group about her appreciation for the week at camp.  The simple fact that she had gained the courage and the comfort level to do this was a moment in and of itself.

Finally, Big Daddy always sings “The Greatest Love of All” at the end of the closing campfire with a strong voice that echoes through the mountains.  For the first time in my six years at Camp To Belong Colorado, Big Daddy was overcome with emotion and choked on the words part of the way through the song.  After trying a few times to regain his composure, Natalie Oliver Atherton, a singer and special guest that night, stepped in to assist with her beautiful voice, at which point most of the group of approximately 150 people joined in.  It was a beautiful moment and a perfect ending to the campfire. 

Most likely, any counselor you talk to could tell you about at least one moment he or she personally experienced at Camp To Belong.  As we celebrate 10 years of Camp To Belong reuniting separated siblings, we must not forget that it is moments like these that impact our campers for the rest of their lives.  It is a moment for a camper when she overcomes her fear of horses by riding behind her older brother.  It is a moment for a camper when his shyness disappears and he enthusiastically volunteers to read his sibling pillow aloud to the whole camp family.  It is a moment when one of a pair of siblings who have bickered all week sits down and puts her arm around her brother to comfort him when he feels sad.  It is a moment when one of our tougher teenage campers realizes that our counselors are here voluntarily and publicly acknowledges them for their time and caring.  All of these moments are the reasons why Camp To Belong has done what it does for 10 years… and will continue to do so for years to come.  

Camp To Belong Colorado serves as the training ground for all affiliate camps across the country and Canada, building a unified voice with not only the joys of camping but also with education of the significance of siblings in every family life. Camp To Belong, We Give Siblings Their Right to Reunite™. For more information, please call Lynn Price at 303-791-0915.