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.