Summer camp is a rite of growing up. It’s the stuff that memories are made of: catching the biggest fish, sleeping in the top bunk, singing around the campfire, making new friends and knowing that Mom and Dad are just a phone call away.
It’s the same at Camp Quality, which gives its residents, children with cancer, the opportunity to put aside the realities of the diagnosis and treatments, to be kids for a week and to make some memories.
“The whole purpose is to have a good and a safe time,” explained Ed Leverenz of Lansing, director of Illinois Camp Quality, which recently hosted a full week of activities for 30 campers and their volunteer companions at Camp Manitoqua Retreat and Conference Center in Frankfort.
A not-for-profit volunteer organization, Camp Quality has 40 camps in 12 countries. Founded in 1983 in Australia, the organization provides a camping experience and year-round support system for children with cancer and their families.
It’s a strictly volunteer effort, explained Leverenz, with no salaries or stipends and no fees for campers. After a trip last year to a Camp Quality in Michigan, Leverenz brought the idea and program information back to members of area Lions Clubs. They spread the word and helped to organize Illinois Camp, the 11th in this country. Surprising both themselves and Camp Quality headquarters in Independence, Mo., Leverenz said, “We were the fastest group to put it together. We started back in February.”
Inspiring an army of volunteers and donors, the group received seed money from the Lansing and East Side Lions Clubs (in Chicago’s Hegewisch neighborhood) and additional funds from a number of area businesses. Joining the effort were nurses, doctors, restaurant owners, pilots, artists, crafters, musicians, a disc jockey, a magician, a naturalist, an antique car club, an airport, a northwest Indiana hospital and area Boy Scouts, police and fire departments.
Doing their best to keep one old summer camp tradition alive were Jason, 10, (the camp requested that the children’s last names not be used) of Calumet City and his volunteer companion, Aaron Reichlin, 20, of Skokie, a student at Brown University in Providence, R.I.
“I knocked on the door of the girls’ cabin to scare them, and I slipped a letter under the door,” said Jason, explaining the sugar-coated extortion attempt that included explicit directions on where to leave a cache of candy.
For Reichlin, the week was a lesson in patience and a rewarding experience. “I’ve never done anything quite like this, ” he said as Jason completed a paint job on his face, adding a bright red spot to his nose.
“We’re like glue,” said companion Ken Zdzinicki, 36, of Tinley Park, describing his week with Terry, 5, of Lockport. “I love it. It’s great, although it’s a little tiring for the adults to keep up with these kids.”
His camper shyly pointed out his new handiwork–a bug box–and his recent catch, a spider. Terry said his favorite camp activity was swimming, and he did well in the fishing competition at a privately owned and stocked lake, pulling in six fish all by himself.
Extra activities for the pair included “coloring into the night with a fresh supply of Crayolas and coloring books,” said Zdzinicki, adding that art supplies were donated by his fiance.
“I think we’ll get the dirty sock award,” Zdzinicki joked with his partner. One certainty for this companion is when he’s taking vacation next year, “I’ll definitely come back.”
Companions meet the children through home visits and telephone calls in the weeks before camp, helping to establish the relationship and to make the first day a little easier.
Ground rules are set and companions are well versed in their role before camp begins. Companions must be over 18 and willing to put their own needs aside for the duration of camp. Forbidden subjects include discussions that promote religious denominations or that focus on life after death and alternative medicine. Alcohol and tobacco are not allowed at camp. A camper’s attendance must be cleared by his physician.
The end of camp is by no means an end to the relationship, explained Bob O’Leary, a member of the Lansing Lions and coordinator of development and publicity. In the history of the program, companions bond with their charges, friendships develop and are encouraged. A reunion is planned in the fall for the first Illinois campers. Other camps have celebrated anniversaries and welcomed back former campers as companions, explains O’Leary.
Shawn, 9, of Joliet was one happy camper, judging by the freshly painted clown face on her knee and the handsome unicorn on her face. Her prized possessions were an autograph from Mariah Carey and a selection of Carey’s tapes.
The latter items came at mail call courtesy of her companion, Mary Colclasure, 42, of Schererville, Ind., who had learned some of Shawn’s favorite sports figures and entertainers at their first meeting. She launched a letter-writing campaign on behalf of her camper, soliciting some out-of-the-ordinary mail. The two laughed and teased easily, and Colclasure claimed she has “the best camper.”
Because a child’s illness creates a level of stress felt throughout the family, the camp provides parents a well-deserved break in routine and, when space is available, siblings can attend the camp and get down to the business of having a good time, too.
“Sometimes the siblings need just a little extra attention,” explained companion Stacy Reece of Lansing, a student at Lewis University in Romeoville. Her camper, Ali, 6, of Frankfort, accompanied her younger sister, who has cancer.
Tom Lockton of Lynwood paced his camper’s activities. Timmy, 8, of Chicago “needs a lot of rest. Because activities are flexible, I take him back to the cabin for a nap when he’s had enough,” Lockton said.
It’s a balancing act, coordinating and planning the activities for campers from 4 to 17 years old. “It’s hard, you don’t know what stage of treatment they’ll be in,” explained Diane Nowaczyk, a registered nurse, manager of emergency services at Munster Community Hospital and coordinator of health services for the camp. “Some children are in remission, while others are very ill. One camper joined the group midweek after completing a treatment. We have to be flexible to the end,”
The volunteer medical staff included several nurses to dispense medications, a doctor on duty 12 hours a day and another on call. The connection to parents, oncologists and pediatricians is just a phone call away, she added.
“The children not only have the disease to contend with but also the social aspect,” Nowaczyk explained. “With all the hospitalizations, do they really want to go away from their families?”
The first day was a little rough, she said. Two campers made the decision to go home, but their companions stayed to assist the others.
For those who stayed, Camp Quality provided a good time, new experiences and, in some cases, the realization of dreams. With a licensed volunteer pilot and Nowaczyk on board, Jason took over the controls and flew a single-engine plane.
The volunteer response has been phenomenal, and they’re all talking about coming next year. It’s a 24-hour-a-day job for the companions, some of whom have a personal involvement, having had cancer themselves. An additional 20 volunteers assisted during the week at activities, explained O’Leary.
Plans for Camp Quality ’96 are in the works, and director Leverenz is dreaming big, hoping to provide camp for more children. Interested individuals or groups may write to Camp Quality, Box 641, Lansing, Ill. 60438.
