Camp Quality gives children stricken with cancer a chance to just be a kid

Prosthetic limbs, paralysis, scars and hair loss are not seen as abnormal and children battling cancer can take a break just to be a kid.

At Camp Quality, a week-long summer camp, at Lake Doniphan in Excelsior Springs children with cancer and their siblings make crafts, swim, have parties, ride trains and do other activities. A Sedalia family and several others from the area have volunteered at the camp, where two Sedalia girls attended this summer.

The Koenigs became familiar with the camp four years ago when Gabe, who is now in medical school, worked as a companion, or counselor. Each companion is paired with a camper for the week. Gabe has had the same camper for all four years, three of which his camper was undergoing chemotherapy.

“They’ve grown together and they have a great relationship outside of camp,” said Gabe’s mother, Kate Koenig.
Anna, who is pursuing her master’s degree in public health from the University of Missouri, volunteered for her first camp in 2007 and became a part of the organizing committee afterward. She is the companion/volunteer coordinator. Anna, 22, continues to volunteer her time because of the children.

“They have some health problems, but the greatest zest for life I’ve ever seen,” she said. “It (camp) is one of the only times that they can have a week of total fun.”

The children aren’t asked about their illnesses while at camp. Most of the people at camp won’t know which children are sick and which are healthy siblings. One boy had a brain tumor and lost function in one of his arms and always felt awkward with other children at school.

“He says at camp he feels like an equal to everybody else,” Anna said.

Anna recruited fellow MU student Colin Freeman, 26, of Sedalia, to be a companion this year. Freeman was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 12. He underwent four brain surgeries and radiation therapy.

“So it was kind of close to home,” he said volunteering for the camp.

Freeman said his medical history helped him relate better to his camper. Sometimes campers will go the entire week without ever mentioning their disease. Others, mostly the older campers, may talk about it late at night before bed.

“If they want to talk about it, we listen,” Freeman said. “But, they may not want to talk about it. It doesn’t define their week at camp.”

“I think that’s the most amazing thing is that they don’t have to think about it all the time,” Anna said.
Koenig’s younger brother, Edward, also spent his first week at camp as a companion assistant helping out wherever he was needed. Edward, 15, said his first camp experience was different than what he expected.

“It’s giving the kids a chance to just be kids,” he said. “When you’re there you really forget they have these diseases.”

The Gilley sisters, Kristina, 7, and Alicia, 9, attended camp for the first time. Kristina, 7, has leukemia. Kristina said she enjoyed riding a train, swimming in the pool and spending time with her companion.

While camp only lasts a week, the relationships between campers and companions continues throughout the year. Companions call and send cards to keep in touch. There is also a reunion in the fall and a Christmas party.

“We call it a week-long summer camp and a year-long support system,” Anna said.

The camp mostly contacts campers through Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Children can attend any of the four camps in Missouri. Campers must have cancer or be in remission, and between the ages of 4 and 17.

As long as there is room, siblings can attend camp also. This gives the parents a break, and allows the siblings to receive one-on-one attention, which can be difficult to receive at home with a sick child.

Three nurses are on staff during camp. The campers meet at KU Medical Center for an evaluation before camp begins. They also turn in their medicine and specific instructions for the camp nurses.

Camp Quality had 83 campers this year, the most to date, and 90 companions.

Companions must be 18 or older, complete an online application and interview. Companions are required to complete a day of training. Other volunteers come for a day to help with activities.

Camp Quality is completely operated by volunteers and donations.

For more information visit campqualitykc.org.