Thursday at Camp Heart Connection

Thursday morning started out cool, but that didn't stop campers from enjoying the day's outdoor activities.

Tie-dye was the craft of the day and was held on the basketball court. Many campers brought white pillowcases, t-shirts, and even some socks to dye. The all-camp basketball tournament was also held on Thursday.

Elly brought up a special lunch of Subway sandwiches that everyone enjoyed. After rest hour the afternoon activity was for the youngest boys.

Mortimer's Boys Only Party was held in Chase for boy campers ages 5-12.Campers enjoyed a snack and burned off some energy with a game of tag.

Thursday night the all camp dance was held. Before heading to the party girl campers went to Glam Slam held in the Arts and Crafts area. Campers had their hair and makeup styled while they posed for pictures. The dance lasted until lights outs and everyone had a great time!

Wednesday at Camp Heart Connection

Wednesday's theme was Showdown at Camp Heart Connection. Many campers dressed in cowboy and cowgirl gear to show their camp spirit.

Instead of the usual camp activities opening after breakfast, the LIT's (Leaders in Training), planned an all-camp activity. Camp Heart Connection Olympics was held on the open field by Pioneer.

Cabins were paired up and given a country to represent in CHC Olympics. They competed in M&M races, tug-o-war, a three legged race, wheel barrel race, and hula hoop competition. Paper metals were presented to the top three teams, but everyone got to enjoy an ice cream sandwich!

Camp activities opened after lunch with a special activity for the youngest girl campers. Aunt Fifi's Princess Party was held in Chase for girl campers ages 5-8. Campers dressed in their finest camp attire (donated prom and formal dresses) and paraded their way through the cabins down to the Tea Party site in Chase. Here they participated in Princess themed crafts and enjoyed some Tea and Pastries, aka Juice and Little Debbie Snack Cakes.

After dinner campers headed to the main stage to watch the all camp talent show. Each cabin presented a skit, making for quite a show! 

An extra special event was held Wednesday night. Campers and all of the support staff headed out into the woods to wait for a visit from Aunt Fifi. She appeared and spoke to the campers about their accomplishments for the week so far. It was a late night and everyone was ready for bed!

Tuesday at Camp Heart Connection

Tuesday's theme was Every Day is a Holiday. Campers dressed up in their favorite holiday attire. We saw everything from holiday sweaters to Halloween masks. (Mask making was also the craft of the day in Arts and Crafts!)
 

The pool was Tuesday's most popular activity. Campers enjoyed swimming, the water slides, and a little water basketball. Another popular activity on Tuesday was Creek Stomping. Campers, lead by their counselors and members of the programs staff, walked along the creek that winds through camp. Although this activity was a little messy campers didn't seem to mind (what's camp without a little mud, right?)

Campers enjoyed a baked potato bar for dinner followed by a movie in Chase for the youngest campers and a movie on the outdoor screen for teen campers.

After a relaxing movie and great great day at the pool and stomping down the creek, campers were ready to call it a night.

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!