Camp Ray of Hope 2010

This year Camp Ray of Hope celebrated its 5th and most successful camp.
Over half of our volunteers were new so we were not sure how they would adjust to a new experience but training went well and other then the weather, which in prior weeks had been awful, we were ready for the kids.
The first children to arrive gave us some concern as we realized that their condition was more serious than in years past. We discovered this was due to the economic conditions which had caused a cut back in medical treatment and availability of medicine.
However, due to the generosity of our partners, we had sufficient supply of medicine to make sure all forty children had what they needed for prophylactic treatment which would allow them to have a week of fun without complications.
We had a great medical team on hand, a doctor and three nurses, who took care of the children and also joined in on all the fun.
We had many programmed activities such as boating, archery, swimming, golf and a host of arts and crafts projects. A travel trip was planned and we took everyone to one of only three golf courses in Romania. We attempted to teach forty children plus the staff how to play golf. This was a great day and everyone had fun.
We were blessed again this year in that not one activity was affected by the weather and there were no medical emergencies.
We also celebrated birthdays with an ice cream party with a twist. All the people celebrating had to feed each other being blindfolded. This was a fun day for sure.
This year’s theme was Island Fun and featured calypso music, straw hats, and mugs that looked like coconuts. Our two announcers were garbed in dreadlocks and Caribbean hats to make this island theme complete.
Everyone, staff included, created their own hula skirts and participated in a pirate treasure hunt. As usual we had our annual talent show the last day of camp, an event that brought lots of laughter and joy.
The success of the camp was such that every volunteer asked if they could return the following year. So here we go, planning, fundraising, and thinking how to outdo this year’s camp and make 2011 “the best ever.”

Birthday Party Video

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Golf Video

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