Written By Linda Morton

Now more than ever, summer camp can mean different things to different people. “Niche” camps – those that fulfill a special need or interest – extend the traditional routine of kid camaraderie, sports activities, nature study, or arts and crafts. They focus on a unique topic, and the options are increasingly broad, ranging from career preparation to an oasis of understanding for children grieving the loss of a loved one. Beyond the specialization, of course, Carroll County children have many opportunities to learn, grow, and play at a variety of traditional camps.

Camp Sunrise is a special camp for children who have cancer. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the program offers facilities in several locations around the country. The Maryland camp is located in Whitehall, Maryland, Harford County and offers swimming, clowning, dances, crafts, sports, nature hikes, art, and lots of love and hugs.

Camp Sunrise is a week-long residential camp for youths ages 5-17 who have been diagnosed with cancer at some time in their lives. They may be in treatment or in remission. A team of pediatric oncologists, physician assistants, and oncology nurses are on site 24 hours a day to attend to each camper’s individual needs.
According to Sherryce Robinson, Mission Delivery Manager for the American Cancer Society, 2007 will be Camp Sunrise’s 20th year of operation. Last year 71 children attended.

The camp runs from the first Sunday in August through the following Saturday and is free to the campers and their families. The American Cancer Society depends upon individual donors, businesses, and other resources for monetary and in-kind donations and sponsorships to fund the camp. Cost per child is approximately $1,000.

“We’ve never had to turn a child away because of money,” said Robinson.

A separate weekend camp for the siblings of children with cancer is available each year at the Camp Sunrise location over Memorial Day weekend. Named Camp SunSibs, it gives brothers and sisters of children diagnosed with cancer a safe place to have fun and connect with other children experiencing the same kinds of family trauma. It also is free.

Children from all over the South Atlantic region are eligible to attend. Parents may call the American Cancer Society office at 410-931-6850, or log onto the website www.cancer.org for information. Toll-free calls to 1-800-ACS-2345 are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Contact: Sherryce Robinson, Mission Delivery Manager, American Cancer Society, 8219 Town Center Dr., Baltimore, MD 21236, 410-933-5173

YMCA Healthy Kids Camp is new this summer. It will concentrate on healthy lifestyles and activities, eating healthy food, exercise, and positive thinking. Healthy Kids Camp will focus on the YMCA Activate America theme and demonsrate healthy alternatives for daily living.
The one-week camp (July 9-13) will be for ages 8-12, grades 3-7 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the YMCA main facility in Westminster, 1719 Sykesville Rd.
Each day of camp will include workouts, healthy food preparation, swimming, field trips, nutrition talks, and learning to create weekly menus and workout routines.
YMCA fitness staff, personal trainers, and special guests from Carroll Hospital Center will conduct the sessions. Staff will do hands-on activities with campers to identify healthy choices such as taking field trips, playing games, grocery shopping, and modeling healthy eating with camp menus.
Contact: Mike Walters, YMCA, 1719 Sykesville Rd., Westminster, MD 21157, www.ymcamd.org, 410-848-3660; 410-876-1194

Camp TR is a weekend-overnight experience sponsored by Hospice of Carroll County, scheduled this year for June 1-3. Held at Hashawha Environmental Center, the camp is open to any child grieving the death of a loved one. First preference is given to Carroll County children, and a Hospice-trained volunteer buddy is assigned to each child. The camp, now in its 25th year, can accommodate 25 children, and there are 25 adult volunteers who work one-on-one with each child.
According to Fran Bauernschub, Hospice bereavement counselor, children from ages 7-15 may participate on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost of the camp is underwritten by Hospice, so the only expense is a $5 registration fee. Registration began January 2 and continues throughout the spring.
The camp’s weekend program is filled with such activities as swimming, hiking, puppetry, and drumming, but directed activities that address the grieving process make this camp unique. Participants make memory boxes and badges for a banner that connects them to their loved one. The camp holds a candle lighting ceremony and campers participate in activities, such as art projects, that help them express their feelings.
The camp is supported by other local agencies as well. The Linus Project of Carroll County donates handmade blankets for each child. The Gateway School prepares grief bags that include a poem, tissues, a stuffed animal, a picture frame, and a pen and pad for journaling.
Call Hospice at 410-871-7231 to register.

Camp Shake was developed two years ago by Carroll Hospital Center’s Learning Center. It strives to teach middle school students about healthy eating, exercise, and health care careers. Topics addressed at last year’s camp included Safety in the Home, Sun Safety, Nutrition, Fat Analysis/Portion Distortion/Personalized Pyramid, First Aid, 911, CPR, and Handwashing. Campers toured an ambulance and the Medstar helicopter. They also learned about careers in physical therapy, nursing, and radiology.

The Living History Camp of the Carroll County Farm Museum is a unique day camp that takes modern-day children back in time so they can experience the daily life of their great grandparents. According to Dottie Freeman, Farm Museum manager, the camp recreates activities of 19th century farm life to make history come alive. Children participate in open hearth cooking, dipping candles, washing clothes by hand, and other typical chores from the bygone era.
Three sessions of the Living History Camp are scheduled for July: for children who will be in the third grade, July 9-13; for fourth graders to be; July 13-20; and for fifth graders to be, July 23-27. Camp lasts from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Mon.-Fri., and 40 children are accepted to each session. Each session is divided into four groups of 10 children for the activities.
Registration begins February 1. To register, check the web site: www.carrollcountyfarmmuseum.org or call 410-386-3880.
Contact: Dottie Freeman, Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 South Center St., Westminster, MD 21157, 410-386-3880
www.carrollcountyfarmmuseum.org