Monday at Camp Heart Connection!

Aloha from Camp Heart Connection! Today’s theme was Camp Goes Hawaiian; this was originally the theme of camp in 1993.

Camp activities opened today and campers had a blast. Arts and Crafts featured rock pets and sand art in addition to the usual crafts. The Gaga pits, rock climbing wall, horseback riding, and pool were also popular activities for the day.

Before lunch girl campers enjoyed a dance class from Dance without Limits, a group from the Des Moines Ballet. 

Monday night also brought a few special guests to Camp Heart Connection. Each week of camp Guest Night is held to show our generous sponsors what camp is all about! Dinner was a grill out of burgers and hotdogs and served on the basketball courts. After dinner a recognition ceremony was held at the stage for the Campership Challenge. Fundraisers were recognized with special limited edition t-shirts.

After our camp guests left Teen campers went to a hypnotist show in Chase while younger campers played Words with Friends on the open field. 

The night ended with marshmallow roasting for smores!

Sunday at Camp Heart Connection

Rain, rain, go away…Sunday started out with some rain showers but they ended just after camper registration.

Campers started arriving around 2:00 on Sunday to check-in for their week at Camp Heart Connection. After checking in, both parents and campers attended the carnival complete with sno cones, cotton candy, and great games and prizes.

After settling into their cabins, parents said their goodbyes and headed for home. Campers however, were just getting started. They enjoyed a dinner of lasagna, garlic bread, and cheesy vegetables before taking the all camp photo.

After everyone was fed and photographed they headed to Pioneer for Minute to Win it games. Campers had one minute to complete tasks such as, unrolling an entire roll of toilet paper without tearing it, and putting together a puzzle. 

It was a great first night at Camp Heart Connection, and at lights out even the campers were ready for bed!

The Staff Have Arrived!

Saturday afternoon Camp Heart Connection Sibling Staff arrived at camp to prepare for Sibling Campers on Sunday! The staff has a great time catching up with friends and sharing summer stories before training classes started.

Staff covered a variety of topics including a duty of care course and how to specifically meet the needs of siblings.

The 2012 Camp Heart Connection Sibling Staff have a diverse background. Many were past sibling campers themselves, others oncology campers, and lots working in the medical field. What they all have in common however, is the desire to make Camp Heart Connection a week Sibling Campers will never forget a place where they will be center stage.

Afternoon training was followed by an all staff dinner from Hickory Park. Here necklaces with the Camp Heart Connection bead were given to first year staff members. Their necklaces will continue to grow with beads each week they spend at Camp Heart Connection. T-shirts were given to staff celebrating their 5 and 10 week milestones at camp. 

The biggest recognition of the night went to Camp Health Director, Phil Lee. Phil was honored with the Spirit of Camp Award for his many years of service and dedication to Camp Heart Connection. The Spirit of Camp Award is given to one staff member who has been nominated by their peers each week of camp.

After dinner staff prepared their cabins for campers and had the first camp fire of the week. Everyone is excited to welcome campers tomorrow afternoon.

Meet the Staff Series: 5-8 Year Old Counselors

This week we introduce you to the 5-8 year old counselors. These staff members lead our youngest campers and help ease many into their first week at camp.

• Alex Bogue will return to Camp Heart Connection for the second summer. Alex is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Caitlin Cook is a student at the University of Iowa. Caitlin will spend her second summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Stephy Crippen will spend her 9^th summer at Camp Heart Connection. Stephy is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Mary Edwards will join the Camp Heart Connection staff for the third summer.
•  Natalie Fargher is a student at St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing. Natalie will spend her fourth summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Ryan Fessler will return to Camp Heart Connection for the second summer. Ryan is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Meg Flannery is a student at the University of Iowa and a first year staff member. 
•  Doug Fuller will return to Camp Heart Connection for his 16^th summer!
• Elaine Grulke is a student at Drake University. Elaine will spend her 17^th summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Andie Hopp is returning to Camp Heart Connection for the second summer. Andie is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Sarah Kirts is a student at the University of Iowa. Sarah will spend her second summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Kaitlin Mason will spend her 18^th summer at Camp Heart Connection. Kaitlin is a student at DMACC.
• Morgan Perkovich is returning to Camp Heart Connection for the second summer. Morgan is a student at Iowa Central Community College.
• Kelli Schnurr is a student at Iowa Central Community College. Kelli will spend her 14^th summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Courtney Shadrick will spend her second summer at Camp Heart Connection.
•  Zach Slocum is a student at the University of Northern Iowa. Zach will spend his 7^th summer at Camp Heart Connection.
• Sara Stewart is returning to Camp Heart Connection for the second summer. Sara is a student at the University of Iowa.

·         Mary Welsh is a first year staff member and student at the University of Iowa.

Counselors feel free to add more information about yourselves below or share a note with your campers and their families! This is the final post in the Meet the Staff Sibling Edition Series!

Meet the Staff Series: Health Team

Last week we introduced you to the 9-12 year old Sibling Camp counselors. This week meet the Health Team! These medical professionals make sure everyone can enjoy their week at camp by providing any medical attention that may be needed.

• Phil Lee will serve as the Health Director for Sibling Camp 2012. This will be Phil’s 10^th year at Camp Heart Connection.
• Aaron Lagneaux will spend his 5^th summer as a staff member at Camp Heart Connection.

Medical Team, 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 5-8 year old counselors.

Meet the Staff Series: 9-12 Year Old Counselors

Last week we introduced you to the Kitchen Crew. This week meet the 9-12 year old counselors!

•  Haley Aarhus will spend her second summer at Camp Heart Connection. Haley is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Tyler Adams is a student at the University of Northern Iowa. Tyler will return to Camp Heart Connection for the second summer.
•  Eric Anderson will spend his second summer at Camp Heart Connection. Eric is a student at Iowa State University.
• Alice Baker will join the Camp Heart Connection Team for the second summer.
• Ryanne Christensen will spend her third summer at Camp Heart Connection. Ryanne is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Erin Evans will return to Camp Heart Connection for the 19^th summer!
• Adam Frakes will spend his second summer at Camp Heart Connection. Adam is a student at Iowa State University.
•  Lindsay Leathers is a student at Southeastern Community College. Lindsay has attended Camp Heart Connection for 12 summers.
• Maria Makar will spend her second summer at Camp Heart Connection. Maria is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Peter Nielson will join the Camp Heart Connection staff for his 15^th summer! Peter is a student at Iowa State University.
• Mitch Splinter is a first year staff member and student at the University of Northern Iowa.
• Steve Stefanik will return to Camp Heart Connection for the second year.
• Ema Stille will spend her second summer at Camp Heart Connection. Ema is a student at Drake University.
• Jordan Syverson will return to Camp Heart Connection for the 15^th summer!
• Danielle Timmons is a student at Iowa Central Community College. Danielle will return to Camp Heart Connection for her second summer.

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 Health Team.

Meet the Staff Series: Kitchen Crew

Last week we introduced you to the Teen counselors. This week meet the Kitchen Crew! The Kitchen Crew makes sure all of our campers and staff are fed each day by planning meals, preparing snacks, and keeping the kitchen in tip top shape.

• Bryan Hart is a student at the University of Iowa. Bryan will join the Camp Heart Connection team for the first year.
• Rudy and Karla Knight will serve as Head Cooks for Sibling Camp. The Knight’s have attended Camp Heart Connection since 1994.
• Melissa Knight will join the Camp Heart Connection staff for the first summer.
• Sammie Marks will be a staff member for the first time this summer. Sammie is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Molly McConnell is a student at the University of Missouri. Molly is a first year staff member.
• Kate Singer will join the Camp Heart Connection team for the first year. Kate is a student at the University of Iowa.
• Andrew Slocum will be a member of the Camp Heart Connection team for the second summer. Andrew is a student at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines.
•  Kasra Zarei is a student at Iowa City West High School. Kasra will join the Camp Heart Connection staff for the first summer. 

Kitchen Crew 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 9-12 year old counselors.