fighting stigma with super powers

By Kate O’Connor, Program Assistant, Camp Support Services

Our campers are like most iconic superheroes, who at first glance are typical citizens – underdogs even – but secretly use their super powers to combat everyday threats against society. For our campers, their everyday threat is the isolating stigma that serious illness brings to them and their families. Weeks, months, sometimes years spent in hospitals and doctor's offices leave many campers feeling detached from the life they once knew, from the kid they once were. Sometimes, society at large acts lost and uncomfortable, unsure of how to support and understand young survivors and their daily struggles with illness.

This is where the magic of camp comes in. Camp gathers isolated, detached underdogs together to awaken their inner superhero; creating a superhero summit, if you will! By making new friends who understand them, campers slowly tear down the emotional walls that accompany serious illness. Then their superhero armor is built with laughter, silliness, singing and play. Capes are adjusted, shields are tightened, and our brave new superheroes are ready to go out into the world to fight the battle against stigma. Counselors and cabin volunteers see firsthand how safety, respect and love can be valuable weapons in taking down the archenemy of detachment and isolation, and they too join the fight against stigma. Campers' renewed self-confidence and joy for life is contagious, and soon our mighty superheroes are using their powers to spread awareness and acceptance.

As every brave superhero knows, it's risky to put everything on the line for the greater good, and no one can relate better than our campers' families. Families make a brave decision as well in sending their seriously ill child away for a week. But they know the benefits are worth the worry when their child returns with a smile on their face and an imaginary cape flying in the wind.

The real secret at these "superhero summits" is not that our campers possess powers; it's that they were superheroes before they came to camp. What an honor it is to help our brave campers get their mojo back and realize the super powers they possess!

To learn more about our "superhero summits," visit any one of our camp web sites.