Wednesday at Camp Heart Connection!

Wednesday was another great day at Camp Heart Connection!

The day kicked off with a great breakfast and polar bear swim at the pool. Then the campers headed down to the field where the Boone Scenic Valley Railroad's train picked us all up at Camp and we got to ride the train!  The trip had great views and we took a lot of good pictures.

After the train ride, it was back to Camp for lunch. During the afternoon all of the regular activities opened for the campers. The teens climbed the rock wall, the little boys rode the horses and all of little girls headed to "Aunt FiFi's Princess Party!" Before the party started the girls stopped by "Aunt FiFi's Dress Shop" and picked out their attire for the Princess Party. The older boys escorted the lovely ladies down to the party where they had snacks and put together a special princess-themed craft. 

In the evening we held "Camps Got Talent," the all-Camp talent show. After the talent show, the campers and counselors headed out to the woods for a campfire where they heard from Aunt FiFi. Aunt FiFi is the magical being that looks over Camp. She, along with her magical pet alligator Mortimer, make sure that all the cabins are clean, all the campers are getting along, and she even leaves special presents and notes around Camp for those who are good!

We had another eventful, jam-packed day! Here are a few photos from the day: (Click on the photos to view them in a larger format.) 

Tuesday at Camp Heart Connection

A little rain didn’t get us down! All of the Camp activities were open and campers had a lot to do today.

Campers enjoyed time on the zip line, horseback riding, making stained-glass projects in Arts and Crafts, and the rock-climbing wall.

After another delicious dinner and an ice cream social, a few different activities opened up for the cabins. The crew from the Big Wheel Rally came up to Camp and brought a few of their custom big wheels for a big wheel race. There was also a game of Capture the Flag on the field.

Later in the evening campers had the option of attending the “Drive-in” Disney movie Cars. After the movie it was lights out so we could all get enough sleep for Wednesday!

Thanks for stopping by! Here are a few photos from the day:

More From Monday!

Here are a few more pictures from Monday to hold you over until Tuesday's pictures are uploaded. Pictures and a recap of Tuesday will be up in the a.m.

Monday at Camp Heart Connection!

Happy Monday from Camp Heart Connection, a program of Children's Cancer Connection! It's been a great start to the week, and we've had a lot of fun.

Today the campers were out and about during the day. They were able to ride horses, climb the rock wall, play field games, and enjoy the swimming pool!

We had a delicious grill out for dinner and got to meet Karsyn’s Krusaders! They showed campers their race car and campers were able to take photos with the car!

This evening the campers will showcase their vocal abilities at the all Camp karaoke. Each cabin takes a turn singing a song for the rest of the campers. After karaoke the older campers have the Teen Dance and then it's off to bed!

Here are a few photos from Monday: (click on the photos to make them larger)

Meet Amy Blair

Amy’s son Blake was diagnosed at the age of two and a half with leukemia. Blake’s illness had an impact on the entire family, and Amy wanted a way to give back to other families going through a similar experience. In 2010, Amy started The Bumping for Blake’s Cancer Camp Volleyball Tournament as a way to raise money for Children’s Cancer Connection programs. This is her story.



When Blake was diagnosed at the age of two and half with leukemia as a parent my world shattered. There were so many things that I envisioned him growing up to do, and in those early months I began to question what his future would hold. The first six months were the hardest on him, and the medicine and steroids really took a toll on him physically and emotionally. The hardest part as a parent was watching his smile disappear.



Amy Blair with her family at Camp Heart Connection
Oncology Camp in June 2011. Photo Courtesy: Amy Blair



The illness had an impact on the entire family, and was emotionally and physically exhausting for all of us, but I would have given anything to see him smile again. As we approached the end of his treatments I knew that I wanted to find an organization that I could give back to and really get my heart behind. Children’s Cancer Connection provided me this opportunity in supporting Camp Heart Connection Oncology and Sibling Camps. Blake went to his first camp at the age of five, and it had been a long time since I had seen him smile that much. The camp gives him a week to just be a kid again with no other cares in the world.

The Bumping for Blake’s Cancer Camp was started in September of 2010. The event is a volleyball tournament with two divisions (recreation and competitive). There are numerous raffles, a Kid’s Korner, food, visits from local celebrities, serving challenge, special prizes for kids that attended camp, and much more! On August 27, 2011, we will hold the 2nd Annual Bumping for Blake’s Cancer Camp, and our goal is to double the amount of money raised in 2010. Not only is this an event that raises money for an amazing organization, but it is also a celebration of every year that Blake has been cured!

Even though Blake is now cured it is still a challenging time for me when we take him to camp. It is a reminder of just how precious life is, and that our family has been very lucky that we now have a healthy child and an amazing support network that still stands behind us in Children’s Cancer Connection.