Presenter: Nathan Bleecher, Biological Sciences, Global Public Health Scholars
I volunteered with Johns Hopkins’ Camp Sunrise for my practicum project. Camp Sunrise is a weeklong summer camp for pediatric oncology patients which takes place in Crownsville Maryland. The primary purpose of the camp is to give children affected by cancer the opportunity to, well, be kids. Children at camp are among peers with similar experiences and have access to professional medical support, so they are encouraged to have fun without the worry of medical limitations or being coddled. I served as a counselor for the middle aged boys. Everyday was basically like an elementary school field day---pretty much what you’d expect from a summer camp. Our cabin had around 12 campers which were split into two groups in terms of activity scheduling, so there was a lot of opportunity to get to know each camper. For my project, I want to explore the logistics of operating a camp like this, being that it is free to attend and 100% volunteer driven. From that, and based on my observations over the week, I want to discuss the possible outcomes of extending camps like these to other NCD populations.
@scoffman
Thank you for your questions.
As a kid, I probably would have benefited greatly from an experience like camp sunrise. That's why I think expanding these resources would be a good thing to do. All the things you ask about would be the goals, yes. Using camp sunrise as a model, the aim would be to connect people that share the experience of having some disease. Realistically, the medical limitations of certain groups may not make a camp type model feasible. Likewise, certain NCDs are so rare that it's logistically difficult to bring people together. I definitely think online platforms can be better adapted to achieve similar goals to camp sunrise.
@abengio
Thank you for your questions. You asked if campers might feel different being at camp. I definitely think that could happen to some campers, but the staff tries to make it as positive of an experience as possible. The camp is relatively small, so there is more of an atmosphere of everyone being family, I think. For your second question, I think the camp has an explicit goal of allowing the kids to be as active as possible within their limits. The relationships that the kids develop certainly help to facilitate that though. I would say that the empathy the children have for each other helps build inclusivity and moral support/teamwork during activities.
First, I would like to thank you for all the work that you have done while volunteering at Camp Sunrise. These kids are provided with a special experience and you help them feel like a kid in the best way possible so thank you for sharing your joy! You explained in your video about how you have had a similar experience as some of these kids, facing an NCD yourself of Marfan Syndrome. Would you suggest that there should be camps like Camp Sunrise for other kids facing NCD? Would this be an opportunity to meet other children who are experiencing the same challenges and connect with them? Would children feel more empowered being surrounded by others who are like…
First of all, I think this is the most beautiful camp and I am really touched by what they do there. You proposed that campers need to feel a sense of normalcy and not be treated as though they are delicate because of what they have gone through. My question is do you think that by being in an environment where the campers are surrounded by other children who have faced similar challenges makes them feel perhaps different? On the other hand, do you think that it is the sense of understanding amongst these children that allows them to be treated as any camper would be?
You told a cohesive and moving story with your presentation. The way you tell about the remembrance tree and bracelet images are really powerful as are the quotes by children from camp. You make good connections between your interest in pediatrics and NCDs. I really appreciate that you share your own story and how your own experiences help to build empathy for others.