Bill

More on Camp Atagahi.

Each camper was given or chose their camp “name.” Included were “Markey Mark,” “Joker,” “Chip,” “Ms. Weezey,” and “Energy” to name just a few. Mine was “Snap.” During the week's camp, I took almost 900 photos of the kids, the counselors, the therapists, the cooks and the camp director's pet dog, named “Blue,” ergo “Mr. Snap.” I provided all the photos to the Camp Fire USA office, and given individual CD's to family members that had given me contact information. At the closing ceremony we were all given a note and an individual photo from the week at camp. I have mine on the mantle in the living room so I can see it each time I pass through the room. It reminds me of a week well spent, with lots of very nice memories about grieving children and what one group is doing to help them through a difficult process.

Cudo's to the Central Ohio Camp Fire USA for providing a great service to children.

I was volunteering as the Scoutmaster at the Ohio School for the Blind when I met Mary. She was working part time at the Vision Center of Central Ohio, a United Way agency working with the visually impaired. As our friends know, she called me first!

Mary was always interested in, and promoted, volunteering. We taught our children volunteering at an early age, and they would accompany us on our “volunteer adventures.” I have been visiting a grief counselor and on a recent visit she mentioned a camp for grieving children. The more she spoke about it, the more interested I became. I asked for a contact name and was put in touch with the Director of the Central Ohio Camp Fire USA office. The application was filled out and returned, and an FBI background check was requested. A training took place about two weeks before the start of camp, and the therapists and other volunteers attended. I wasn't sure what I was getting into, but as Mary would often say “Let's check it out, it sounds like fun.”

“Fun” is an understatement! Camp Atagahi was an extreme physical workout for me (all the steps were large rocks or boulders UNEVENLY spaced up the various hillsides!). I told the kids I was 106 years old and only one counselor asked if I was kidding, and only one camper challenged me on it (on Thursday, day 4 of the camp). Whenever one of the campers complained about being tired, or hot, or uncomfortable, I would remind them that I was 106 and I wasn't complaining!

Through the week the campers had regular discussion sessions with the therapists and as trust and relationships developed, the campers began the healing process, and helped with healing each other. It was a great experience for me as I was able to see how resilient kids are and how they have the capacity to help heal each other. I highly recommend volunteering or contributing to the Central Ohio Camp Fire's “Camp Atagahi”. I plan on volunteering again next year.

More recollections to follow.

Several weeks ago Pauline (my grief counselor) mentioned a camp for grieving children. She was actually looking for donations for the camp and seemed to think I might be a good candidate to approach. As she spoke about the camp, the more interested I became. The Columbus branch of Camp Fire USA is starting its first "grief camp" for kids, a place away from home where children who have lost someone close can come and hopefully deal with their grief and loss. Pauline provided contact information and I followed up. A training was held on 21 July at Camp Wyandotte (south of Lancaster, OH.) and the volunteers and counselors met for a training session.

Needless to say, I volunteered. Camp starts Sunday, 5 August 2007. I'm not sure what to expect, but am open to the experience. I will keep a journal of my experiences at camp and share them here. If you would like to make a donation to the Camp Fire USA to support the camp, I will make sure to post the appropriate information after the camp ends. This is to be an ongoing offering of the Columbus Camp Fire USA Summer Camp Programs. More later.