~RECENT UPDATES~
Dear Christine and Natalie,
Thank you for the camp sponsorship through the Jett Foundation for Alycia.
She was so disappointed when MDA cancelled but her disappointment quickly vanished as we dropped her off at Camp Allen. She was so excited, she was pushing Jeff and I to go away and go home so she could get her camp experience started!
She'll be swimming in the pool every day, going boating, doing crafts and at night during cabin time, they dance to the councilor's boom box every night! They will be having a make-your-own costume trick or treat night, a Christmas in July night and a field trip to a baseball game. We haven't heard a peep from her since we dropped her off on Sunday so I guess she's having too much fun!
Hopefully I'll have pictures to send.
Thank you so much,
Lori and Jeff on behalf of Alycia
Camp Promise is still happening...lots of NO CAMP Days are being celebrated by our campers for a variety of activities are currently being used to help ALL those who were affected by the MDA's decision to cancel this years summer camps across the country. While it has proved to be a challenging endeavor to make the trip to MN as originally planned; we are finding ways to have FUN - here in New England.
- The events we have planned for August include:
- Adaptive Sailing lessons and Marine Biology at Piers Park Sailing East Boston
- Adaptive Hiking, Water Skiing, fishing and a stay at the Mount Washington Resort - Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
- Creed Concert at the Comcast Center
- One week stay for 6 campers at the All Star Camper at Camp Allen in New Hampshire
- Jet Cars under the Stars at New England Dragway in Epping New Hampshire
- Weekly Thursday open Swim and BBQat an adaptive private pool
- Offering Camp Tuition for a suitable camp experience as with Alycia (written above) for those who were originally scheduled for an MDA camp
Thank you for visiting the CAMP PROMISE fundraising page!!!
Please see our photos...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jettfoundation/
~IMPORTANT UPDATE~
After the MDA made a second round of precautionary phone calls to families, Camp Promise lost 10 campers of the original 17 scheduled to attend Camp Promise from July 5th-10th at Camp Allen in NH. Upon hearing of this attendance drop, Camp Allen made the decision to discontinue the camp session due to an inadequate turnout.
We are now celebrating with NO CAMP days and ACTIVITIES every week...
What camp means to a child with DMD…
*Many forms of muscular dystrophy are considered to be life-limiting disorders
*For many of these children/young people, this will be the only social activity they will have this summer
*The comradery is extremely special- only a child with a neuromuscular disorder truly understands what it means to be in company of others with a similar disorder
*Life long friendships are made at summer camp
The announcement of the MDA's annual camp closure brought extreme disappointment to children/young adults and their families affected with muscular dystrophy in New England. For many of these boys and girls, it is the last time they will be eligible for camp, as they will turn 18 years old after the summer. For other children, it will be their first time to be in a place with other kids "like them.”
While most of the "other" kids this summer will be off at baseball camp, football camp, and similar summer experiences that encourage physical activities - targeted to those who can walk and run well, children with disabilities are left with minimal options during the long summer months. Kids sit restless and bored since many of them are wheelchair confined. Camp offers these kids the chance to be amongst peers, swim in an accessible pool, play adaptive sports, sit by a campfire, and make friends- for children that are handicapped, like all kids, just want to feel included...
While families understand the MDA's reasoning to cancel the camp because of H1N1 Virus risk, there remains overwhelming disappointment, which has driven this cause to reach out and ask for help from the public and media. Many of the parents are still willing allow their children to interact in the camp setting, despite the known risk, since contamination chances are much higher when the children are in school or visiting public places such as museums and airports. All the parents surveyed so far have expressed unwavering interest in sending their children to Camp Promise, regardless of the MDA's cancellation, so funding is now the main obstacle. For many families, it is challenging to come up with the expenses to send its child on such short notice.
The kids are HOPEFUL...
Thank you so much for helping!!!!
Please keep checking back for updates and to see our progress!!!!
SINCERELY,
Many families and friends of those with muscular dystrophy
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