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.

Friday at Camp Heart Connection

Today was the last full day for our oncology campers at Camp Heart Connection and the day was jam-packed with things to do! Of course, all of the normal activities were open to the campers, but we had a few special activities planned as well.

Campers got the opportunity to tie-dye an article of clothing and there was a campers vs. counselors version of "hide and go seek" - where the counselors hid and when the campers found the counselors the campers could push whoever they found into the pool!

The pool was busy place (again!) this afternoon. Many campers took part in the water fight on the field and came to jump in the pool after they were done splashing each other. After the campers were done swimming, they headed to dinner. We had a delicious fiesta for dinner, which included: tacos, burritos, nachos and apple enchaldas a la mode!

After dinner the annual kickball tournament will be held at the large field near the pool. Following the tournament the campers will go back up to their cabins where camper achievement awards will be given out!

After dark the campers will all gather around the campfire for Wish Night. Wish Night gives the campers and staff a time to tell their story, to thank someone who has made an impact on their life and it provides a time to come together and relate to one another. After everyone has had a chance to speak, the campers will head out to the field and lighted balloons will be released in memory of the campers who have passed away in the last year. The night will end with fireworks in celebration of a great week.

We'll see you tomorrow morning - bright and early!

Here are a few photos from the day:

Thursday at Camp Heart Connection

Breakfast today was delicious, again, and we had huge cinnamon rolls and cheese omelets. The kitchen crew has done an awesome job of keeping all of the campers and staff well-fed this week.

There was a hike at 11:00 a.m. A few campers and counselors met at the stage and headed into the woods for a hike around camp. A few hours later there was creek stomping and the boys headed to "Mortimer's Boys Only NASCAR Party" where they made "slime" and had a few afternoon snacks. A lot of TP'ing happened this afternoon with the help of the Programs Staff.

Throughout the day the photography crew from Capturing Hope was at Camp and they took photos of all of the campers. They were great to work with and we can't wait for the parents to see the photos!

Eight teams played in the annual basketball tournament. While it was a hot day for the tournament, all of the players had a good time and the top teams even got medals! (Rumor has it that the boys from Riverside cabin won the tournament.)

After the tournament almost everyone swam in the pool. The sun was shining and it was hot - perfect pool weather! The little ones jumped in and out of the pool, there were numerous water fights and the older campers enjoyed going down the water slide.

After dinner the campers got ready for the "All Camp Dance." The ladies had their hair and make-up done, and the guys put on their best t-shirts for the event. The All Camp Dance is a place for all of the campers to come together and bust a move. Thanks to "Cubbie Bear" from Select Entertainment for DJ'ing the dance. He sure played the right tunes to get everyone on the dance floor! Everyone is going to be tired by the end of this night as today was busy, busy, busy.

Here are a few photos to take a look at: