Charity Softball Game a Win-Win

 On June 28, our hot, hot summer didn’t keep two teams from making a difference in the lives of children and families affected by childhood cancer.  

The Southeast Polk (pictured in dark pink) and Indianola (pictured in light pink) high school softball teams organized a double header event together to raise awareness for childhood cancer. 

Thanks to the many dedicated players and coaches, the two teams raised almost $4,000 for Children’s Cancer Connection. 

Making the event even more special, CCC Teen and Southeast Polk Sophomore, Alex Champion threw out the first pitch! 

The teams split the double header with Indianola winning the first game, 6-4, and Southeast Polk winning the 2nd game 2-1.

Meet the Staff Series: Teen Counselors

Last week we introduced you to the Director’s Team. This week meet the Teen Counselors! 

• Bridget Breitbach will return to Camp Heart Connection for the fourth summer.
• Tony Brichetto will spend his 16^th summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Steph Burkholder is a student at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. This will be Steph’s first summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Natalie Del Vecchio will join the Camp Heart Connection staff for the first summer. Natalie is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Anthony Gilorminni is a student at Riverland Community College. Anthony will spend his 16^th summer at Camp Heart Connection
• Shelby Green is joining the Camp Heart Connection Staff for the first summer. Shelby is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Aaron Heffernan will return to Camp Heart Connection for the second summer.
• Nick Hesford is a student at Western Illinois University. This will be Nick’s 18^th summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Alex Jakubzak is returning to Camp Heart Connection for the third summer. Alex is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Andy Kemerly is a student at the University of Iowa. Andy will be joining the Camp Heart Connection team for the first summer.
• Tucker Kline will return to Camp Heart Connection for the 11^th summer. Tucker is a student at the University of Iowa.
•  Jake line will return to Camp Heart Connection for the 7^th summer.
•  Lindsay Lanphier will join the staff at Camp Heart Connection for the first summer. Lindsay is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Erin Larsen is a student at the University of Iowa. Erin will be joining the staff for the first summer.
• Jamie Lick is a student at the University of Iowa. He will be returning to Camp Heart Connection for the 3^rd summer.
• Dan Morse is a student at the University of Iowa. Dan will be returning to Camp Heart Connection for the second summer
• Maura Owings will join the Camp Heart Connection staff for the first summer. Maura is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Travis Pothast will be returning to Camp Heart Connection for the 16^th summer!
• Madi Short will spend her 18^th summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Katey Simon will return to Camp Heart Connection for the 9^th summer.
• Angie Stewart will spend her 11^th summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Kaitlin Thompson is a student at the University of Iowa. Kaitlin will join the Camp Heart Connection staff for the first summer.
• Bri Whiting will spend her second summer at Camp Heart Connection. Bri is a student at the University of Northern Iowa.
• Susie Wolter will join the staff for the first summer. Susie is a student at the University of St. Thomas.
• Keyan Zarei is a student at the University of Iowa. Keyan will spend his first summer at Camp Heart Connection.

Teen Counselors feel free to add more information about yourselves below or share a note with your campers and their families! Next week’s Meet the Staff Series will introduce the Kitchen Crew.

Happy Fourth from CCC!

Anna, age 7, created this Fourth of July Holiday Card while at Camp Heart Connection Oncology Camp June 10-16, 2012.

Meet the Staff Series: Director's Team

Last week  you met the Arts & Crafts Staff. This week meet the Director's Team!

• Phil Lee will serve as the Health Director this summer. Phil has been a member of the staff for 10 years.
• Phonsavanh Lovan is returning to Camp Heart Connection for the sixth summer. Phonsavanh will serve as the Teen Area Director.
• Cody McClelland will return to Camp Heart Connection for the 7^th summer. Cody will serve as the 9-12 year olds Area Director.
• Danielle Paulsen will serve as the Program Director for Camp Heart Connection Sibling Camp. Danielle is a student at the University of Iowa and has attended Camp Heart Connection for 16 summers.
• Jacob Raymond will return to Camp Heart Connection for the 6^th summer. Jacob will serve as the 5-8 year olds Area Director.
• Elly Shaw will return to Camp Heart Connection for the 19^th summer! Elly is the Volunteer and Information Manager at Children’s Cancer Connection.
• Mark Slocum is the Executive Director of Children’s Cancer Connection. Mark has attended Camp Heart Connection since 1992.
• Channon Timm is the Program Services Manager at Children’s Cancer Connection and the Camp Heart Connection Director. Channon has attended camp since 1997.

Director's Team feel free to add more information about yourselves below or share a note with campers and their families! Next week meet the Teen Counselors.

Meet the Staff Series: Arts & Crafts Staff

Last week we introduced you to the Program Crew. This week meet the Arts & Crafts Staff! These creative volunteers lead crafts and activities for our campers in the Arts & Crafts cabin.

• Emily Dungan is a student at the University of Iowa. This will be Emily’s first summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Kenidy Eckerman will join the Camp Heart Connection team for the first year. Kenidy is a student at Iowa State University.
• Bri Glenn will spend her first summer at Camp Heart Connection. Bri is a student at Covenant School of Radiography.
• Matt Jordan is a student at the University of Iowa. Matt will spend his first summer at Camp Heart Connection.
•  Lauren Wilkerson is a student at Ballard High School. Lauren will join the staff at Camp Heart Connection for the first time this summer.

Arts & Crafts Staff feel free to add more information about yourselves below or share a note with campers and their families! Next week’s Meet the Staff Series will introduce the Director’s Team.

Meet the Staff Series: Program Crew

As we gear up for Camp Heart Connection Sibling Camp, meet the staff who make it all possible. This is the first post in the Meet the Staff Series for Sibling Camp. Meet the Program Crew!

• Bre Barak will be joining the Camp Heart Connection staff for the first time. Bre is a student at Loyola University.
• MJ Hoffman is a student at the University of Iowa. This is MJ’s second summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Fletcher Paulsen will be joining the Camp Heart Connection staff for the first summer. Fletcher is a student at Carthage University.
• Conar Reed is a student at the University of Northern Iowa. Conar will be joining the Camp Heart Connection staff for the first summer.
• Shelby Schreck will be a first year staff member at Sibling Camp this summer. Shelby is a student at the University of Northern Iowa.
• Sammi Tounsley will return to Camp Heart Connection for the fourth summer. Sammi is a student at the University of Iowa.

Program Crew feel free to add more information about yourselves below or share a note with campers and their families! Next week meet the Arts & Crafts Team.

Camp Heart Connection Una Fieta Fantastica

Friday’s Message from Camp Heart Connection Director, Channon Timm, “We are all part of our own families, but we are also connected to each other and make up the Camp Heart Connection family!”

Campers and Counselors having fun in 2005!

Today’s theme was Una Fiesta Fantastica. This was originally the theme in 2005. Children’s Cancer Connection’s Volunteer and Information Manager Elly Shaw joined the Camp Heart Connection staff in 2005 after spending many years as a sibling camper.

 

Campers enjoyed their final full day of activities. 

This evening was one of the most special for campers all week (and a little rain didn't get in our way.) Circle Awards were given to each camper recognizing something special about them that will be remembered even after leaving camp. (FYI Circles are how campers are organized into cabins the youngest campers are circle 3 through the oldest campers in circle 1). A graduation ceremony was also held for graduating seniors in Chase Lodge.

Later in the evening everyone attended Wish Night. Wish Night is an opportunity for campers to share their wish with other campers if they like. Some of the wishes were silly, while others more serious. Wish Night is truly an unforgettable experience for both campers and staff.

This is the final blog post for the week. Please remember that Camper Checkout begins at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.