Camp Ray of Hope Summer 2019 - On the Wings of Music
We all know that music therapy plays an important role especially for children suffering from a serious illness who have to spend long periods of time being hospitalized.
Almost eighty children with serious illnesses participated at Camp Ray of Hope Romania 2019. Our theme this year was On the Wings of Music. The children wrote the lyrics to a song composed by a great musician especially for the camp. The children were separated in four groups and each group wrote one stanza. The chorus was written in English by our talented volunteers. They all dedicated the song to Camp Ray of Hope.
Almost eighty children with serious illnesses participated at Camp Ray of Hope Romania 2019. Our theme this year was On the Wings of Music. The children wrote the lyrics to a song composed by a great musician especially for the camp. The children were separated in four groups and each group wrote one stanza. The chorus was written in English by our talented volunteers. They all dedicated the song to Camp Ray of Hope.
Camp Ray of Hope ITALIAN ADVENTURE
This year was our 5th consecutive year of summer camp for seriously ill children from Romania who took part in the Italian Adventure Camp at Castel Campo in Fiave, Italy. The Italian Adventure is a program of Associazione Campo Base, Italy.
We cannot express in words our gratitude for the opportunity we have had to collaborate with Campo Base and be supported by so many wonderful people.
This year was our 5th consecutive year of summer camp for seriously ill children from Romania who took part in the Italian Adventure Camp at Castel Campo in Fiave, Italy. The Italian Adventure is a program of Associazione Campo Base, Italy.
We cannot express in words our gratitude for the opportunity we have had to collaborate with Campo Base and be supported by so many wonderful people.
Camp Ray of Hope Summer 2017
Meeting of the Minds, the Mad Scientists
This year over one hundred of the brightest minds in Romania, children between the ages of six and eighteen, and over forty adult volunteers met in Romania to present the latest discoveries in the field of science and technology. We gained knowledge through observation and experiments and practical application.
These discoveries will directly impact society and its understanding of the world. All the research and discoveries are based on facts and comes from extensive studies.
We want to thank the entire scientific team for their valuable contribution.
This year over one hundred of the brightest minds in Romania, children between the ages of six and eighteen, and over forty adult volunteers met in Romania to present the latest discoveries in the field of science and technology. We gained knowledge through observation and experiments and practical application.
These discoveries will directly impact society and its understanding of the world. All the research and discoveries are based on facts and comes from extensive studies.
We want to thank the entire scientific team for their valuable contribution.
Hemophilia Camp
Oncology Camp
Adventure Therapy in Italy
Once again STAR Children Relief Camp Ray of Hope was invited to Italy to participate at Castel Campo's unique summer camp program organized by Campo Base Onlus. This summer 31 campers with chronic illnesses and 8 medical and staff chaperones from Romania had the adventure of a lifetime. Swimming at the beautiful pool at Vila Angelica, shopping trip to Lake Garda, boating at Lago di Tenno, climbing at the Adventure Park, theater, music, art, dancing to Romanian music, or rolling stuffed cabbage, the fun never ended.
For the first time this year six promising teens with chronic illnesses and one doctor from Romania participated in the YETI program. Youth Empowerment Training Initiative, a one week program of learning about camp planning, team building, and outdoor skills to help support the campers and staff.
Forever grateful to Castel Campo and the sponsors of this adventure.
Once again STAR Children Relief Camp Ray of Hope was invited to Italy to participate at Castel Campo's unique summer camp program organized by Campo Base Onlus. This summer 31 campers with chronic illnesses and 8 medical and staff chaperones from Romania had the adventure of a lifetime. Swimming at the beautiful pool at Vila Angelica, shopping trip to Lake Garda, boating at Lago di Tenno, climbing at the Adventure Park, theater, music, art, dancing to Romanian music, or rolling stuffed cabbage, the fun never ended.
For the first time this year six promising teens with chronic illnesses and one doctor from Romania participated in the YETI program. Youth Empowerment Training Initiative, a one week program of learning about camp planning, team building, and outdoor skills to help support the campers and staff.
Forever grateful to Castel Campo and the sponsors of this adventure.
Camp Ray of Hope's Italian Adventure 2016!
2015 CAMP
RAY OF HOPE, a
decade of camping excellence for children with serious illnesses in Romania.
Ten Years, Hundreds of Children, Thousands of Smiles.
This year we celebrated the ten year anniversary of Camp Ray of Hope. Eighty children with cancer, hemophilia and thalassemia and thirty five volunteers celebrated this important milestone with a Hollywood theme. We were movie stars, movie directors, screen writers, make-up artists, costume designers, sound engineers, film editors, and cameramen. We made nine short movies and worked very hard all day long and even late at night to finish the filming. We did take some time off for rest and relaxation, spending time with each other playing games, sports and just goofing around. As it is customary in Hollywood every year we celebrated our achievements with the party of all parties, the Academy Awards. Stars arrived at the Awards Ceremony in limousine, walked on the red carpet and placed hand prints on the Hollywood walk of Fame. Security was tight as paparazzi and fans wanted to get an autograph or a picture of the stars. Only the best (which was all of us) received Oscars.
These last ten years hundreds of children, parents, and volunteers helped us through hard times and fun times get where we are today. THANK YOU for standing by us.
Ten Years, Hundreds of Children, Thousands of Smiles.
This year we celebrated the ten year anniversary of Camp Ray of Hope. Eighty children with cancer, hemophilia and thalassemia and thirty five volunteers celebrated this important milestone with a Hollywood theme. We were movie stars, movie directors, screen writers, make-up artists, costume designers, sound engineers, film editors, and cameramen. We made nine short movies and worked very hard all day long and even late at night to finish the filming. We did take some time off for rest and relaxation, spending time with each other playing games, sports and just goofing around. As it is customary in Hollywood every year we celebrated our achievements with the party of all parties, the Academy Awards. Stars arrived at the Awards Ceremony in limousine, walked on the red carpet and placed hand prints on the Hollywood walk of Fame. Security was tight as paparazzi and fans wanted to get an autograph or a picture of the stars. Only the best (which was all of us) received Oscars.
These last ten years hundreds of children, parents, and volunteers helped us through hard times and fun times get where we are today. THANK YOU for standing by us.
One of the Oscar Nominated Movies
Camp Ray of
Hope Italian Adventure
This year we
were invited to spend eight days at Castel Campo in northern Italy. Castel
Campo was built in the twelve century and has been in the Rasini family for the
last one hundred years.
Please read bellow Sofia Rasini’s beautiful letter about her family’s experience and ours at their property in the Italian Alps.
Twenty five campers between the ages of 11 and 18 traveled to Italy with a Romanian medical team and chaperones. The idea was to give the teenagers a taste of another country, and spend a week in a medieval castle participating in creative and athletic programming tailored to their needs. What ensued was a week of exploration and building of bonds forged on laughter and imagination. And those who learned the most, as you might have guessed, were the hosts themselves.
The program, created by my sisters and I, was designed to contain a mix of high and low energy activities, of projects that would allow for creative expression and ‘unstructured’ time where campers could challenge each other in a game of ping pong, hang out on the grass, or engage in a friendly football match. I was told that most of the kids affected by hemophilia never play soccer at home, as this is a high risk activity that can lead to serious bruising and pain. But at camp, under the watchful eye and assistance of the medical team, campers could play and feel safe at the same time.
There would be challenges throughout the week that everyone was encouraged to participate in but they could chose to do so in a variety of ways. Professionals came to teach felt bag making in the farmhouse and fencing in the castle courtyard. We learned to make our own pizza, challenged campers to build flying rockets out of plastic bottles and special NASA fuel, and took a day trip to a glimmering nearby lake where we rented paddle boats and surf boards. On the last evening of camp, everyone participated in an evening talent show performance where teens braved the stress of stage fright and delivered memorable dance performances, sang popular songs, mastered skits and piano recitals, and even took to the stage as Oliver and Hardy.
Eight days also have a lot of room for silliness. There were elaborate pranks that involved our plush camp mascot toy and a Coca Cola Ransom (no one was hurt). There were unusual morning yoga routines to get everyone going, and evening camp fires to close out the day. There were unicorn sightings and colorful cookie creations. Most of all there was genuine bonding and time to get to know all the campers as individuals and gentile, intelligent teenagers. We soon learned that many excelled in the arts or scholarly knowledge, and all were masters of courtesy and benevolence.
All this yielded much more than some positive memories to take home. In my experience as a camp person, I have noticed that play is the fastest vehicle to bridge the gaps between humans; both young and old. Though opening oneself up to folly does not come easy (especially to a group of adolescents who tend to be focused on growing up, rather than ‘acting like children’. This group took the challenge to heart and gave it their all. Once a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood is established, there was nothing we couldn’t tackle or talk about.
One of the more interesting conversations that was had was an afternoon of sharing stories about each other’s experience of illness. Many of the kids with hemophilia wanted to understand more about the scars the campers with cancer had and the oncology patients had questions about the factor infusions that several teens were receiving at scheduled times. Over the course of a few hours, the doctors and nurses facilitated an information session about the illnesses groups present at camp and why it was that some people walked with difficulty, why others tired quickly and how these physical differences affected their day to day life. This group camp conversation was followed by spontaneous small group chats about the difficulties, treatment and illness management campers faced, but also about victories and successes that chronic illness provides an opportunity for.
Many of these victories unfolded before our very eyes. One of the last days of the session in Italy included a day trip to a nearby adventure park where visitors would learn to climb wooden bridges, careen down ziplines and encourage each other to go higher and higher on a variety of suspended rope courses. There was something for everyone to try, regardless of differences in strength, physical limitations or fears. Before hopping on the bus back to base camp, we stood in a circle and shared impressions, comments and emotions. Everyone was buzzing with the excitement that only comes from trying something you never thought possible. For many, climbing up those trees represented the ultimate physical challenge that they had all overcome together.
There was much to celebrate on the last evening of our adventure. We had a cake in honor of Camp Ray of Hope’s 10 year anniversary, and Adriana Henderson’s constant efforts to bring the joys and adventure of residential programming to as many Romanian children as possible. A knighting ceremony closed off our ‘training’ program, where campers received certificates and tunics embellished with Castel Campo’s logo. It may have been purely symbolic, but the fact that campers and volunteers had become a united group with its own traditions, language and culture was not lost on anyone.
After 8 days, a group of willing individuals had gone into the woods to heed the call to adventure, and was now returning to their homeland with the elixir for moments of struggle: the reminder that there are others facing the same or similar challenges, and the knowledge that there are many that care about them and their own struggles. For my family and I, what began as the quest to extend Castel Campo’s protection to others became a legendary fairy tale in which we were all tellers and hearers. The difficult task of putting together an international summer camp in a rural Italian mountain setting yielded some incredible rewards, such as the opportunity to travel back to an era of less distraction and a larger need for bravery, and help to form a legion of warriors who have harnessed the power what we previously knew only as ‘illness’.
Please read bellow Sofia Rasini’s beautiful letter about her family’s experience and ours at their property in the Italian Alps.
Twenty five campers between the ages of 11 and 18 traveled to Italy with a Romanian medical team and chaperones. The idea was to give the teenagers a taste of another country, and spend a week in a medieval castle participating in creative and athletic programming tailored to their needs. What ensued was a week of exploration and building of bonds forged on laughter and imagination. And those who learned the most, as you might have guessed, were the hosts themselves.
The program, created by my sisters and I, was designed to contain a mix of high and low energy activities, of projects that would allow for creative expression and ‘unstructured’ time where campers could challenge each other in a game of ping pong, hang out on the grass, or engage in a friendly football match. I was told that most of the kids affected by hemophilia never play soccer at home, as this is a high risk activity that can lead to serious bruising and pain. But at camp, under the watchful eye and assistance of the medical team, campers could play and feel safe at the same time.
There would be challenges throughout the week that everyone was encouraged to participate in but they could chose to do so in a variety of ways. Professionals came to teach felt bag making in the farmhouse and fencing in the castle courtyard. We learned to make our own pizza, challenged campers to build flying rockets out of plastic bottles and special NASA fuel, and took a day trip to a glimmering nearby lake where we rented paddle boats and surf boards. On the last evening of camp, everyone participated in an evening talent show performance where teens braved the stress of stage fright and delivered memorable dance performances, sang popular songs, mastered skits and piano recitals, and even took to the stage as Oliver and Hardy.
Eight days also have a lot of room for silliness. There were elaborate pranks that involved our plush camp mascot toy and a Coca Cola Ransom (no one was hurt). There were unusual morning yoga routines to get everyone going, and evening camp fires to close out the day. There were unicorn sightings and colorful cookie creations. Most of all there was genuine bonding and time to get to know all the campers as individuals and gentile, intelligent teenagers. We soon learned that many excelled in the arts or scholarly knowledge, and all were masters of courtesy and benevolence.
All this yielded much more than some positive memories to take home. In my experience as a camp person, I have noticed that play is the fastest vehicle to bridge the gaps between humans; both young and old. Though opening oneself up to folly does not come easy (especially to a group of adolescents who tend to be focused on growing up, rather than ‘acting like children’. This group took the challenge to heart and gave it their all. Once a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood is established, there was nothing we couldn’t tackle or talk about.
One of the more interesting conversations that was had was an afternoon of sharing stories about each other’s experience of illness. Many of the kids with hemophilia wanted to understand more about the scars the campers with cancer had and the oncology patients had questions about the factor infusions that several teens were receiving at scheduled times. Over the course of a few hours, the doctors and nurses facilitated an information session about the illnesses groups present at camp and why it was that some people walked with difficulty, why others tired quickly and how these physical differences affected their day to day life. This group camp conversation was followed by spontaneous small group chats about the difficulties, treatment and illness management campers faced, but also about victories and successes that chronic illness provides an opportunity for.
Many of these victories unfolded before our very eyes. One of the last days of the session in Italy included a day trip to a nearby adventure park where visitors would learn to climb wooden bridges, careen down ziplines and encourage each other to go higher and higher on a variety of suspended rope courses. There was something for everyone to try, regardless of differences in strength, physical limitations or fears. Before hopping on the bus back to base camp, we stood in a circle and shared impressions, comments and emotions. Everyone was buzzing with the excitement that only comes from trying something you never thought possible. For many, climbing up those trees represented the ultimate physical challenge that they had all overcome together.
There was much to celebrate on the last evening of our adventure. We had a cake in honor of Camp Ray of Hope’s 10 year anniversary, and Adriana Henderson’s constant efforts to bring the joys and adventure of residential programming to as many Romanian children as possible. A knighting ceremony closed off our ‘training’ program, where campers received certificates and tunics embellished with Castel Campo’s logo. It may have been purely symbolic, but the fact that campers and volunteers had become a united group with its own traditions, language and culture was not lost on anyone.
After 8 days, a group of willing individuals had gone into the woods to heed the call to adventure, and was now returning to their homeland with the elixir for moments of struggle: the reminder that there are others facing the same or similar challenges, and the knowledge that there are many that care about them and their own struggles. For my family and I, what began as the quest to extend Castel Campo’s protection to others became a legendary fairy tale in which we were all tellers and hearers. The difficult task of putting together an international summer camp in a rural Italian mountain setting yielded some incredible rewards, such as the opportunity to travel back to an era of less distraction and a larger need for bravery, and help to form a legion of warriors who have harnessed the power what we previously knew only as ‘illness’.
Camp Ray of Hope 2014 Hemophilia and Oncology Camps
We have all heard of the Olympic Games being held in London, Barcelona, Sydney, and Beijing but did you know that in 2014 the Olympics were held in Romania?
The Camp Ray of Hope Olympic games were held at Simbata de Sus situated at the foot of the beautiful Fagaras Mountains in the Carpathians. Famous for the 16th century Brincoveanu Monastery and close to Fagaras where the Fagaras Castle is considered to be the second most interesting castle in the world; Simbata de Sus was the ideal place to hold the Olympics. The athletes came from all corners of Romania and the fans (Volunteers) came from the United States, Italy, and Romania.
The Chairwoman of the 2014 Organizing Committee welcomed all guests, athletes, and fans with a reminder of the role of the athletes as ambassadors for the Olympic ideals: Friendship, Unity, and Peace.
She went on to encourage the athletes not to strive to win but to take part.
The Olympic mascot was the grey wolf, the illusive animal that resides in the Carpathian Mountains. The grey wolf also represents the cultural heritage of Romania.
The opening ceremony included transporting the Olympic torch relay style by all athletes, bringing the Olympic flag into the stadium, and raising the flag while the Olympic march played in the Olympic village. After raising the flag the stage was set for six days of dramatic competition.
The Olympic events included soccer, swimming, table tennis, basket ball, hockey, shot put, javelin, discus, equestrian, synchronized swimming, aquatics, badminton, rhythmic gymnastics, Nordic biathlon, fencing, weight lifting, skeleton and for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, sumo wrestling. Also in premiere were the Raisin Throw and Catch and the Water Melon Spitting events.
To get away from the stress of competition the Olympians went on a one day field trip to visit the Lipizzan horses. Located in the picturesque village of “Sambata de Jos” the Lipizzan stud farm works with seven blood lines named after the first sires that originated in Slovenia. Following a pizza lunch we visited the famous Brincoveanu Monastery at Sambata de Sus.
The Olympic Games ended with the awards ceremony where all athletes received the gold medal. The participants of the oncology camp had the honor of receiving their gold medal from Romanian World and Olympic gold medalist Maria Olaru. What an honor that was!
Of course, the last night of the games included the closing ceremony and a show to remember.
The Olympic Games at Simbata de Sus, Romania, were the least expensive games in the history of the Olympics.
The 2014 Camp Ray of Hope Olympic Games was brought to you by S.T.A.R. Children Relief.
We have all heard of the Olympic Games being held in London, Barcelona, Sydney, and Beijing but did you know that in 2014 the Olympics were held in Romania?
The Camp Ray of Hope Olympic games were held at Simbata de Sus situated at the foot of the beautiful Fagaras Mountains in the Carpathians. Famous for the 16th century Brincoveanu Monastery and close to Fagaras where the Fagaras Castle is considered to be the second most interesting castle in the world; Simbata de Sus was the ideal place to hold the Olympics. The athletes came from all corners of Romania and the fans (Volunteers) came from the United States, Italy, and Romania.
The Chairwoman of the 2014 Organizing Committee welcomed all guests, athletes, and fans with a reminder of the role of the athletes as ambassadors for the Olympic ideals: Friendship, Unity, and Peace.
She went on to encourage the athletes not to strive to win but to take part.
The Olympic mascot was the grey wolf, the illusive animal that resides in the Carpathian Mountains. The grey wolf also represents the cultural heritage of Romania.
The opening ceremony included transporting the Olympic torch relay style by all athletes, bringing the Olympic flag into the stadium, and raising the flag while the Olympic march played in the Olympic village. After raising the flag the stage was set for six days of dramatic competition.
The Olympic events included soccer, swimming, table tennis, basket ball, hockey, shot put, javelin, discus, equestrian, synchronized swimming, aquatics, badminton, rhythmic gymnastics, Nordic biathlon, fencing, weight lifting, skeleton and for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, sumo wrestling. Also in premiere were the Raisin Throw and Catch and the Water Melon Spitting events.
To get away from the stress of competition the Olympians went on a one day field trip to visit the Lipizzan horses. Located in the picturesque village of “Sambata de Jos” the Lipizzan stud farm works with seven blood lines named after the first sires that originated in Slovenia. Following a pizza lunch we visited the famous Brincoveanu Monastery at Sambata de Sus.
The Olympic Games ended with the awards ceremony where all athletes received the gold medal. The participants of the oncology camp had the honor of receiving their gold medal from Romanian World and Olympic gold medalist Maria Olaru. What an honor that was!
Of course, the last night of the games included the closing ceremony and a show to remember.
The Olympic Games at Simbata de Sus, Romania, were the least expensive games in the history of the Olympics.
The 2014 Camp Ray of Hope Olympic Games was brought to you by S.T.A.R. Children Relief.
Pictures of the Camp Ray of Hope 2014 Hemophilia Camp
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Pictures of the 2014 Oncology Camp
Camp Ray of Hope 2013 Hemophilia and Oncology Camps
IT’S A SMALL WORLD
This past summer the world got just a little smaller for forty children with hemophilia in Romania. For the eight consecutive year, Camp Ray of Hope offered these children a chance to get together and be kids. This is a luxury they cannot afford otherwise due to the lack of the medicine “factor” so crucial to leading a normal life without pain and suffering. We also held our second year of camp for children with cancer.
We chose the theme for this year to be: It’s a Small World, based on the song made famous by Walt Disney. We made and learned about the Eiffel Tower, the Egyptian Pyramids, the Great Wall of China, the Tower of Pisa, penguins, the Australian didgeridoo, the Andes of South America, Mexican piñatas, American Indian dream catchers, and Mt. Fuji. We made Mexican dolls called muneca’s, Japanese fans and flags from forty countries. We made costumes for the parade of nations and learned how to sing the famous Disney song in four languages: French, Spanish, English and Japanese. The talent show included sumo wrestling, can-can dancers, Gipsy singing and dancing, dances from Africa, Japan, Israel and Greece, a Ukrainian musician, and an Austrian juggler. The famous ”Sock Puppets” from Opera de Paris interpreted the aria Habanera from the opera Carmen by Bizet.
Our field trip, made possible by a sponsorship from Bayer, took the children on a visit to the Village Museum in Sibiu, to a sumptuous lunch at a fancy restaurant, and later to an even fancier place for cake and ice cream.
The rest of the time we played soccer, table tennis, foosball, and all kinds of silly games.
Every year we, the volunteers, are touched by a child’s personal story and this year was no exception. Brothers D. came to camp for the first time. Andy is twelve years old and Andrew is 9 years old. The brothers, abandoned by their mother after the father passed away, are being raised by the grandmother on a very small government pension. Andy and Andrew had no clothes to come to camp. Hearing this, the local Kiwanis club went shopping and purchased everything for the two brothers from socks and underwear to back packs and suitcases. They could not believe their eyes. “Is this really for us” they said and removed the clothing sales tags only as they started to wear them. Older brother Andy was heard warning his younger brother, “we have to be good so we can get invited again next year.”
Witnessing this story is a blessing for us and those who work so hard to make it possible for children like Andy and Andrew to come to camp. We could not do it without the help of so many individuals and organizations from all over the world: the Kiwanis clubs from Romania, the US and France, the Rotary clubs from Romania and the US, Save One Life from the US, volunteers from Romania and the US and the generous donations of factor (which is life for a patient with hemophilia) made possible by Baxter Vienna and Grifols, USA through our partner AmeriCares. Treating children regularly with factor not only allowed them to play freely but enabled little Andrew to discard the crutches he was using when he arrived at camp and leave on his own two feet, unaided, at the end of the camp.
All of a sudden countries and continents got closer, borders disappeared, and the understanding of others more touching.
Well, It’s a Small World……..after all.
This past summer the world got just a little smaller for forty children with hemophilia in Romania. For the eight consecutive year, Camp Ray of Hope offered these children a chance to get together and be kids. This is a luxury they cannot afford otherwise due to the lack of the medicine “factor” so crucial to leading a normal life without pain and suffering. We also held our second year of camp for children with cancer.
We chose the theme for this year to be: It’s a Small World, based on the song made famous by Walt Disney. We made and learned about the Eiffel Tower, the Egyptian Pyramids, the Great Wall of China, the Tower of Pisa, penguins, the Australian didgeridoo, the Andes of South America, Mexican piñatas, American Indian dream catchers, and Mt. Fuji. We made Mexican dolls called muneca’s, Japanese fans and flags from forty countries. We made costumes for the parade of nations and learned how to sing the famous Disney song in four languages: French, Spanish, English and Japanese. The talent show included sumo wrestling, can-can dancers, Gipsy singing and dancing, dances from Africa, Japan, Israel and Greece, a Ukrainian musician, and an Austrian juggler. The famous ”Sock Puppets” from Opera de Paris interpreted the aria Habanera from the opera Carmen by Bizet.
Our field trip, made possible by a sponsorship from Bayer, took the children on a visit to the Village Museum in Sibiu, to a sumptuous lunch at a fancy restaurant, and later to an even fancier place for cake and ice cream.
The rest of the time we played soccer, table tennis, foosball, and all kinds of silly games.
Every year we, the volunteers, are touched by a child’s personal story and this year was no exception. Brothers D. came to camp for the first time. Andy is twelve years old and Andrew is 9 years old. The brothers, abandoned by their mother after the father passed away, are being raised by the grandmother on a very small government pension. Andy and Andrew had no clothes to come to camp. Hearing this, the local Kiwanis club went shopping and purchased everything for the two brothers from socks and underwear to back packs and suitcases. They could not believe their eyes. “Is this really for us” they said and removed the clothing sales tags only as they started to wear them. Older brother Andy was heard warning his younger brother, “we have to be good so we can get invited again next year.”
Witnessing this story is a blessing for us and those who work so hard to make it possible for children like Andy and Andrew to come to camp. We could not do it without the help of so many individuals and organizations from all over the world: the Kiwanis clubs from Romania, the US and France, the Rotary clubs from Romania and the US, Save One Life from the US, volunteers from Romania and the US and the generous donations of factor (which is life for a patient with hemophilia) made possible by Baxter Vienna and Grifols, USA through our partner AmeriCares. Treating children regularly with factor not only allowed them to play freely but enabled little Andrew to discard the crutches he was using when he arrived at camp and leave on his own two feet, unaided, at the end of the camp.
All of a sudden countries and continents got closer, borders disappeared, and the understanding of others more touching.
Well, It’s a Small World……..after all.
Pictures of Hemophilia and Blood Disorders Camp 2013
Pictures of the Oncology Camp 2013
Camp Ray of Hope 2012
This year we hosted one week for children with blood disorders and the following week for children with cancer. The movie below is a combination of both weeks. A great time was had by all! Thank you to all those who made this possible for these children. Enjoy!
Hemophilia Camp
Circus! Circus! Camp Ray of Hope 2012
Camp Ray of Hope’s annual summer camp for children with serious illnesses in Romania took place this year in Balvalnyos in central Romania. This was our seventh year of providing a camping experience for children with hemophilia in Romania and our first oncology camp. Our theme this year was the circus and what an opportunity this was for children and adults alike to clown around. Our wonderful volunteer staff did an amazing balancing act of entertaining the troops. We had a menagerie of big and small cats (children) ages six to eighteen, while the ringmasters (a hematologist and an oncologist) somersaulted between the Medical Clinic, a.k.a the Clown’s Room, and the big top where all the activities took place.
The activities included arts and crafts, games, sports, dancing, swimming and water fights. We took the children with hemophilia to an Activity Park where they experienced a wide range of thrill rides, zip lines and a variety of obstacle and rope courses.
To keep up with the theme, we brought in a magician to the first camp and a theater group to the second camp. The theater group performed what else, a circus play! The magician taught the children how to juggle, do vanishing acts and many magic tricks.
We jumped through hoops trying to give the children a fun circus experience. We organized a carnival where the children played games. We created our own unique clown costume and had a clown parade. The children performed a talent show where they were magicians, ring masters, and strongmen. We had our own version of contortionists, rope walkers, acrobats, snake charmers, and all kind of knockout acts. Watch out Cirque du Soleil!
A great time was had by all. In fact one young boy said,” I am so grateful you were here for me during this time, I will never forget you.” Thank you to all who made these camps possible for these great kids.
The activities included arts and crafts, games, sports, dancing, swimming and water fights. We took the children with hemophilia to an Activity Park where they experienced a wide range of thrill rides, zip lines and a variety of obstacle and rope courses.
To keep up with the theme, we brought in a magician to the first camp and a theater group to the second camp. The theater group performed what else, a circus play! The magician taught the children how to juggle, do vanishing acts and many magic tricks.
We jumped through hoops trying to give the children a fun circus experience. We organized a carnival where the children played games. We created our own unique clown costume and had a clown parade. The children performed a talent show where they were magicians, ring masters, and strongmen. We had our own version of contortionists, rope walkers, acrobats, snake charmers, and all kind of knockout acts. Watch out Cirque du Soleil!
A great time was had by all. In fact one young boy said,” I am so grateful you were here for me during this time, I will never forget you.” Thank you to all who made these camps possible for these great kids.
Oncology Camp
Camp Ray of Hope 2011
CAMP RAY OF HOPE ROCKS!
July 3 – July 9, 2011 Camp Ray of Hope celebrated our sixth consecutive year of camping experience for children with Hemophilia in Romania -rock style. The theme Rock and Roll featured the one and only King of Rock, Elvis Presley. We can attest that Elvis is indeed alive and we saw him with our own eye
We started camp this year on a cold and rainy day but if the weather did not cooperate with us we warmed up the atmosphere by kicking off the first day of
camp with an all day 4th of July celebration. We decorated the camp in red, white, and blue. Everyone made hats and carried a small American flag. We even had our own Statue of Liberty. We ate hamburgers and hot dogs, French fries, and for desert apple pie and Coke. Our American parade in the small village attracted everyone’s attention and inquiries like, “What is going on?” prompted the children to respond, “Today is America’s birthday!” Later on in the evening we distributed sparklers and the atmosphere truly became a celebratory one. In the following days the weather improved and the children were able to do what they came to camp for: swimming, soccer, basketball, archery, and boating. For arts and crafts the boys made Elvis costumes and the girls made poodle skirts. We received donated Elvis wigs and glasses for the boys and cat eye glasses for girls. We truly looked ’50’s style
The Rock and Roll theme carried out throughout the week. We woke up and rounded up to Rock Around the Clock. We learned about the life of Elvis and
carried out cabin chats at night with questions like: “What would you do if you had Elvis’s money?” We were all impressed at the children’s answers. They all
wanted to give most of the money away to other suffering children.
Our field trip this year took us to a salt mine with a lunch stop at a pizza parlor. The mine was so large and the main room so big it included a bowling alley, a game room, a small soccer field, a lake with boats, and a large Ferris wheel. The kids totally enjoyed this trip. The highlight of the camp was a two hour classical and pop music concert performed by a piano quartet affiliated with the Symphony Orchestra in Cluj. The quartet also accompanied our campers in recording the song Together (in the video above)which has become the camp anthem. Our Talent Show featured Elvis with other guest appearances like Alice Cooper and Michael Jackson!
Once again this year we had the pleasure of welcoming our own Andrew Clements, Specialist Hemophilia Physiotherapist from Leicester Royal Infirmary
in England, also appearing as Alice Cooper and the Chicken Man. Andrew gave a very informative presentation on Hemophilia and taught the children different techniques to target their specific joint problems.
This year Camp Ray of Hope rocked. Take a look at the pictures and be amazed! for more pictures visit our Facebook page facebook.com/S.T.A.R. Children Relief / Camp Ray of Hope
July 3 – July 9, 2011 Camp Ray of Hope celebrated our sixth consecutive year of camping experience for children with Hemophilia in Romania -rock style. The theme Rock and Roll featured the one and only King of Rock, Elvis Presley. We can attest that Elvis is indeed alive and we saw him with our own eye
We started camp this year on a cold and rainy day but if the weather did not cooperate with us we warmed up the atmosphere by kicking off the first day of
camp with an all day 4th of July celebration. We decorated the camp in red, white, and blue. Everyone made hats and carried a small American flag. We even had our own Statue of Liberty. We ate hamburgers and hot dogs, French fries, and for desert apple pie and Coke. Our American parade in the small village attracted everyone’s attention and inquiries like, “What is going on?” prompted the children to respond, “Today is America’s birthday!” Later on in the evening we distributed sparklers and the atmosphere truly became a celebratory one. In the following days the weather improved and the children were able to do what they came to camp for: swimming, soccer, basketball, archery, and boating. For arts and crafts the boys made Elvis costumes and the girls made poodle skirts. We received donated Elvis wigs and glasses for the boys and cat eye glasses for girls. We truly looked ’50’s style
The Rock and Roll theme carried out throughout the week. We woke up and rounded up to Rock Around the Clock. We learned about the life of Elvis and
carried out cabin chats at night with questions like: “What would you do if you had Elvis’s money?” We were all impressed at the children’s answers. They all
wanted to give most of the money away to other suffering children.
Our field trip this year took us to a salt mine with a lunch stop at a pizza parlor. The mine was so large and the main room so big it included a bowling alley, a game room, a small soccer field, a lake with boats, and a large Ferris wheel. The kids totally enjoyed this trip. The highlight of the camp was a two hour classical and pop music concert performed by a piano quartet affiliated with the Symphony Orchestra in Cluj. The quartet also accompanied our campers in recording the song Together (in the video above)which has become the camp anthem. Our Talent Show featured Elvis with other guest appearances like Alice Cooper and Michael Jackson!
Once again this year we had the pleasure of welcoming our own Andrew Clements, Specialist Hemophilia Physiotherapist from Leicester Royal Infirmary
in England, also appearing as Alice Cooper and the Chicken Man. Andrew gave a very informative presentation on Hemophilia and taught the children different techniques to target their specific joint problems.
This year Camp Ray of Hope rocked. Take a look at the pictures and be amazed! for more pictures visit our Facebook page facebook.com/S.T.A.R. Children Relief / Camp Ray of Hope
Camp Ray of Hope 2010
In 2010 Camp Ray of Hope celebrated its 5th year of providing a camp experience for the chronically ill children of Romania. 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. That was a fun day for sure.
The 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 staff asked if they could return the following year.
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. That was a fun day for sure.
The 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 staff asked if they could return the following year.
Camp Ray of Hope 2009
THE WILD WEST COMES TO ROMANIA! by Bill Boughton, Volunteer, United Kingdom
With the help of our many sponsors and donors, The Gunfight of the OK Corral was fought out at Ighiu, near Alba Iulia, Romania, together with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. This gunfight took place in front of thirty nine Romanian boys and one girl suffering from hemophilia, and they enjoyed every minute of it. S.T.A.R. Children Relief was responsible for arranging and managing a holiday camp at Ighiu for the second year running. S.T.A.R. Children organized other hemophilia camps at Venus, on the Black Sea in 2006, and at Bazna in 2007.
The theme for this year’s camp was “The Wild West”, the Hacienda was the Terra Mythica Pension and the whole event was staged in June/July, 2009.
The Gunfight at the OK Corral was only one of the many activities enjoyed by the boys which included horseback riding, archery, soccer, basketball,
swimming, boating, model making, and fashion and talent show. Because of the nature of many of the activities and the children’s condition, medication was necessary to offset any effects of play and to administer infusions of needed factor. Doctors and Nurses were on hand to help. The best exercise for the children is no doubt swimming and the pool which, although small, was almost continually in play with the Physiotherapist, Andrew Clements, to assist. For the smaller children a large inflatable above ground pool was used and there was a separate area of water provided with inflatable boats and paddles for supervised use by the children. All camp activities regardless of age are supervised.
Horseback riding took place at Deva, at a riding centre. This was a novel experience and they thoroughly enjoyed it. A meal was also provided by the riding centre. Arts and Crafts covered several projects: model making, decorating horseshoes, making cowboy vests, and making flying paper aeroplanes among others. Probably the most innovative project was the modification of stout paper bags to represent cowboy waistcoats which the children proudly presented during the fashion show.
S.T.A.R. Children, well done, you worked hard and you succeeded admirably in your aim to keep the children safe, happy, and active. I know I was happy and active!
With the help of our many sponsors and donors, The Gunfight of the OK Corral was fought out at Ighiu, near Alba Iulia, Romania, together with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. This gunfight took place in front of thirty nine Romanian boys and one girl suffering from hemophilia, and they enjoyed every minute of it. S.T.A.R. Children Relief was responsible for arranging and managing a holiday camp at Ighiu for the second year running. S.T.A.R. Children organized other hemophilia camps at Venus, on the Black Sea in 2006, and at Bazna in 2007.
The theme for this year’s camp was “The Wild West”, the Hacienda was the Terra Mythica Pension and the whole event was staged in June/July, 2009.
The Gunfight at the OK Corral was only one of the many activities enjoyed by the boys which included horseback riding, archery, soccer, basketball,
swimming, boating, model making, and fashion and talent show. Because of the nature of many of the activities and the children’s condition, medication was necessary to offset any effects of play and to administer infusions of needed factor. Doctors and Nurses were on hand to help. The best exercise for the children is no doubt swimming and the pool which, although small, was almost continually in play with the Physiotherapist, Andrew Clements, to assist. For the smaller children a large inflatable above ground pool was used and there was a separate area of water provided with inflatable boats and paddles for supervised use by the children. All camp activities regardless of age are supervised.
Horseback riding took place at Deva, at a riding centre. This was a novel experience and they thoroughly enjoyed it. A meal was also provided by the riding centre. Arts and Crafts covered several projects: model making, decorating horseshoes, making cowboy vests, and making flying paper aeroplanes among others. Probably the most innovative project was the modification of stout paper bags to represent cowboy waistcoats which the children proudly presented during the fashion show.
S.T.A.R. Children, well done, you worked hard and you succeeded admirably in your aim to keep the children safe, happy, and active. I know I was happy and active!
Camp Ray of Hope 2008
S.T.A.R. Children Relief’s camp for children with hemophilia in Romania, Camp “Ray of Hope”, took place at a rented facility in central Romania from June 28 to July 4. Attending were thirty nine boys with hemophilia and one girl with von Willebrand, ages eight to eighteen.
The camp facility was modern, with spacious rooms and private bathrooms. The dining area overlooked a peaceful pond and the food was great! The clinic was in a separate room under the direct control of the camp nurse and doctor. The factor was plentiful thanks to several generous donors. The medical staff conducted infusion classes outside the clinic on a patio overlooking the pool; the children learned to infuse using a latex arm. An English physiotherapist who specializes in hemophilia examined all the children to assess joint damage, and taught water exercises. A psychologist helped the children face certain fears and anxieties, such as nervousness about leaving home for the first time.
Each year we identify a camp theme: our first year we celebrated beach and water sports; our second Dracula; and this year, karate. My husband, Tom, a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, did not want to focus on karate as a series of fighting methods and techniques or of combat sports and self defense. He wanted to showcase karate for its philosophy: self development, perseverance, fearlessness, virtue, personal conviction, and leadership skills. Gichin Funakoshi, the father of modern karate, once said, “The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.”
Once we established a camp theme, we created activities specifically designed for children with hemophilia that would incorporate karate activities and philosophy.
We did karate every day— easy arm and leg movements without body contact, followed by talks on the philosophy and meaning of the sport. Instead of karate belts, the children received colored stripes on their caps, so that by the end of the week, every child received a yellow, green, red and finally the much sought after black stripe.
Other activities included arts and crafts, swimming, soccer, table tennis, billiard, basketball, tennis, boating and water fights. One day we held a birthday party for everyone born in the months of June and July. Ten children and adults, including myself, had to feed each other ice cream while blindfolded. Most of the ice cream went on our face and clothes, a fun activity for those watching.
Another day we had a weird dress up day. It was so much fun to see everyone use their imagination by utilizing the few things they found in their suitcase and their room to come up with something funny and weird to wear. We paraded our garbs through the village and drew the attention and laughter of many onlookers.
On another day we participated in Outward Bound, a program that uses a series of high rope courses that teach confidence, awareness, trust and leadership skills. The children tried the climbing wall and the parallel beams, two very challenging courses. Some children did not finish the course, but some did, to their own surprise and delight.
The children overcame fear and anxiety and achieved something they never thought they could. Everyone was praised even if they could not finish the course. Every child’s success was reason to celebrate, but there was one child in particular that commended more attention than the rest: the only girl in the group! As she tried the climbing wall, she lost footing and asked to be lowered. The boys did not let her and urged her to try again. She did and slowly climbed all the way to the top under a crescendo of the boy’s cheers. The involvement of the whole team was the key to success. It strengthened the team’s spirit and the feeling of accomplishment. Her accomplishment was everyone’s accomplishment.
The last event of the camp was the Talent Show which gave everyone the opportunity to participate and have fun: singing, dancing and clowning around. We even staged a mock karate fight.
Thank you for supporting our camp and for bringing a ray of hope to children with hemophilia in Romania.
The camp facility was modern, with spacious rooms and private bathrooms. The dining area overlooked a peaceful pond and the food was great! The clinic was in a separate room under the direct control of the camp nurse and doctor. The factor was plentiful thanks to several generous donors. The medical staff conducted infusion classes outside the clinic on a patio overlooking the pool; the children learned to infuse using a latex arm. An English physiotherapist who specializes in hemophilia examined all the children to assess joint damage, and taught water exercises. A psychologist helped the children face certain fears and anxieties, such as nervousness about leaving home for the first time.
Each year we identify a camp theme: our first year we celebrated beach and water sports; our second Dracula; and this year, karate. My husband, Tom, a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, did not want to focus on karate as a series of fighting methods and techniques or of combat sports and self defense. He wanted to showcase karate for its philosophy: self development, perseverance, fearlessness, virtue, personal conviction, and leadership skills. Gichin Funakoshi, the father of modern karate, once said, “The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.”
Once we established a camp theme, we created activities specifically designed for children with hemophilia that would incorporate karate activities and philosophy.
We did karate every day— easy arm and leg movements without body contact, followed by talks on the philosophy and meaning of the sport. Instead of karate belts, the children received colored stripes on their caps, so that by the end of the week, every child received a yellow, green, red and finally the much sought after black stripe.
Other activities included arts and crafts, swimming, soccer, table tennis, billiard, basketball, tennis, boating and water fights. One day we held a birthday party for everyone born in the months of June and July. Ten children and adults, including myself, had to feed each other ice cream while blindfolded. Most of the ice cream went on our face and clothes, a fun activity for those watching.
Another day we had a weird dress up day. It was so much fun to see everyone use their imagination by utilizing the few things they found in their suitcase and their room to come up with something funny and weird to wear. We paraded our garbs through the village and drew the attention and laughter of many onlookers.
On another day we participated in Outward Bound, a program that uses a series of high rope courses that teach confidence, awareness, trust and leadership skills. The children tried the climbing wall and the parallel beams, two very challenging courses. Some children did not finish the course, but some did, to their own surprise and delight.
The children overcame fear and anxiety and achieved something they never thought they could. Everyone was praised even if they could not finish the course. Every child’s success was reason to celebrate, but there was one child in particular that commended more attention than the rest: the only girl in the group! As she tried the climbing wall, she lost footing and asked to be lowered. The boys did not let her and urged her to try again. She did and slowly climbed all the way to the top under a crescendo of the boy’s cheers. The involvement of the whole team was the key to success. It strengthened the team’s spirit and the feeling of accomplishment. Her accomplishment was everyone’s accomplishment.
The last event of the camp was the Talent Show which gave everyone the opportunity to participate and have fun: singing, dancing and clowning around. We even staged a mock karate fight.
Thank you for supporting our camp and for bringing a ray of hope to children with hemophilia in Romania.
Camp Ray of Hope 2007
S.T.A.R. Children Relief’s annual camp for children with hemophilia took place in a small village in Transylvania.
Our camp included some twenty activities: arts and crafts, karate, volleyball, field tennis, soccer, swimming, hiking, visiting a bird sanctuary, a birthday party, weird dress up day, physiotherapy, self infusion instructions, team building games, talent show, scavenger hunt, tie dye, a visiting band concert, a police demonstration, a day at Outward Bound Romania, and a visit to the beautiful medieval Citadel of Sighisoara, the only inhabited citadel in Europe.
The memories are many, but there are some that are more memorable than others. For sure the visit to Sighisoara was one of the highlights of the camp.
History tells us that Sighisoara is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless ruler who kept the invading Turks from occupying the region by catching them in mountain passes, impaling them, and then placing them in public places for all the other Turks to view.
Folklore tells us that the famous Vlad is known also as the infamous Dracula.
Regardless of fact or fiction, Camp “Ray of Hope” participants, some forty children and twenty adults, all dressed in black capes and featuring white fangs, ascended one sunny day atop the citadel. They came right in time for the town crier, clad in medieval attire, to welcome tourists in what sounded like forty languages, some we never heard of. When the tourists started to disperse and caught a glimpse of us, how can they miss us, they thought we were part of the act. They borrowed our capes as well as some of our extra fangs so they could have their picture taken. It was a memorable sight and for some, one of the highlights of the camp.
Another major highlight of the camp was the trip to Outward Bound. It was hard to describe to the parents, children and the Romanian staff what Outward Bound is. How can one understand something they had never seen or heard of before? In fact, I was even surprised to know that it even existed in Romania. How lucky we were that the only such outfit in the country would be just an hour away from the camp and how lucky that they offered to allow our kids to experience the thrills of their activities free of charge.
We took advantage of this opportunity and spent a day at their facilities. It was not an ordinary day. It was extremely cold, windy and the rain was coming down in sheets. The medical personnel advised a quick return to camp. The children were cold and wet. The hot tea provided by the staff at Outward Bound was not enough to keep us comfortable.
Something did change though. One boy, harnessed and tied to ropes, tried to scale the rock climbing wall. Everyone who noticed this was now up for a challenge. In fact, some kids did not reach the top the first time. Did this discourage them? Absolutely not!
They went for a second try. Their goal was to reach the top and ring a bell that was there signaling a job well done. We saw the children climb that wall to reach the bell with confidence and pride.
The high ropes were even more challenging. A pair of boys had to hold on to each other’s shoulders and walk across two parallel logs at an altitude of 30 feet. They were visibly afraid, their legs shaking, but everyone went outside their comfort zone and finished the challenge under the loud cheering of the other campers. Jumping off the beams and being lowered to the ground always produced the biggest smiles. Signs of high five, right on, and peace were shared by the whole group.
The memorable moments were many, but there is one that will remain unforgettable. The pool is a favorite with the boys who were always quick to get in and always slow to get out; all, but one. Edi is seventeen and had never been in the water before. He was sitting by himself looking as the others were having fun.
We decided that it was time for him to get wet. With the help of five volunteer counselors Edi was slowly submerged in the pool. Once in, he held on to his helpers for dear life. It took a while for Edi to get used to the water, confident that with five people around him he could not drown. He realized that if he turned on his back he would be buoyant. When he decided that he was ready to float on his own. One by one the hands let go of him. Finally, left alone, the feeling of weightlessness so great, he closed his eyes and whispered, “This is heaven.”
He spent the rest of the day floating, but his true challenge was not over. Edi decided he wanted to swim. The next day he was lowered in the pool again. Everyone was watching, the silence of sixty adults and children. It was so eerie. Then, one by one the helpers let go and Edi started to backstroke, franticly, with all his might. The silence was suddenly broken by a loud roar.
I quickly glanced at his mother who had been wringing her hands the whole time. I saw her arms raised, her eyes looking at the sky in a spiritual gesture of thanks and grace. Then she looked down at Edi with the proud look of a mother: her son had just learned how to swim! Her son is not an ordinary son. Edi does not just have hemophilia. Edi is a double amputee!!
Having witnessed this event is more than memorable, this is unforgettable.
Camp “Ray of Hope” 2007 was made possible through a $5,000 donation from LA Kelley Communications, Inc. www.kelleycom.com
Our camp included some twenty activities: arts and crafts, karate, volleyball, field tennis, soccer, swimming, hiking, visiting a bird sanctuary, a birthday party, weird dress up day, physiotherapy, self infusion instructions, team building games, talent show, scavenger hunt, tie dye, a visiting band concert, a police demonstration, a day at Outward Bound Romania, and a visit to the beautiful medieval Citadel of Sighisoara, the only inhabited citadel in Europe.
The memories are many, but there are some that are more memorable than others. For sure the visit to Sighisoara was one of the highlights of the camp.
History tells us that Sighisoara is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless ruler who kept the invading Turks from occupying the region by catching them in mountain passes, impaling them, and then placing them in public places for all the other Turks to view.
Folklore tells us that the famous Vlad is known also as the infamous Dracula.
Regardless of fact or fiction, Camp “Ray of Hope” participants, some forty children and twenty adults, all dressed in black capes and featuring white fangs, ascended one sunny day atop the citadel. They came right in time for the town crier, clad in medieval attire, to welcome tourists in what sounded like forty languages, some we never heard of. When the tourists started to disperse and caught a glimpse of us, how can they miss us, they thought we were part of the act. They borrowed our capes as well as some of our extra fangs so they could have their picture taken. It was a memorable sight and for some, one of the highlights of the camp.
Another major highlight of the camp was the trip to Outward Bound. It was hard to describe to the parents, children and the Romanian staff what Outward Bound is. How can one understand something they had never seen or heard of before? In fact, I was even surprised to know that it even existed in Romania. How lucky we were that the only such outfit in the country would be just an hour away from the camp and how lucky that they offered to allow our kids to experience the thrills of their activities free of charge.
We took advantage of this opportunity and spent a day at their facilities. It was not an ordinary day. It was extremely cold, windy and the rain was coming down in sheets. The medical personnel advised a quick return to camp. The children were cold and wet. The hot tea provided by the staff at Outward Bound was not enough to keep us comfortable.
Something did change though. One boy, harnessed and tied to ropes, tried to scale the rock climbing wall. Everyone who noticed this was now up for a challenge. In fact, some kids did not reach the top the first time. Did this discourage them? Absolutely not!
They went for a second try. Their goal was to reach the top and ring a bell that was there signaling a job well done. We saw the children climb that wall to reach the bell with confidence and pride.
The high ropes were even more challenging. A pair of boys had to hold on to each other’s shoulders and walk across two parallel logs at an altitude of 30 feet. They were visibly afraid, their legs shaking, but everyone went outside their comfort zone and finished the challenge under the loud cheering of the other campers. Jumping off the beams and being lowered to the ground always produced the biggest smiles. Signs of high five, right on, and peace were shared by the whole group.
The memorable moments were many, but there is one that will remain unforgettable. The pool is a favorite with the boys who were always quick to get in and always slow to get out; all, but one. Edi is seventeen and had never been in the water before. He was sitting by himself looking as the others were having fun.
We decided that it was time for him to get wet. With the help of five volunteer counselors Edi was slowly submerged in the pool. Once in, he held on to his helpers for dear life. It took a while for Edi to get used to the water, confident that with five people around him he could not drown. He realized that if he turned on his back he would be buoyant. When he decided that he was ready to float on his own. One by one the hands let go of him. Finally, left alone, the feeling of weightlessness so great, he closed his eyes and whispered, “This is heaven.”
He spent the rest of the day floating, but his true challenge was not over. Edi decided he wanted to swim. The next day he was lowered in the pool again. Everyone was watching, the silence of sixty adults and children. It was so eerie. Then, one by one the helpers let go and Edi started to backstroke, franticly, with all his might. The silence was suddenly broken by a loud roar.
I quickly glanced at his mother who had been wringing her hands the whole time. I saw her arms raised, her eyes looking at the sky in a spiritual gesture of thanks and grace. Then she looked down at Edi with the proud look of a mother: her son had just learned how to swim! Her son is not an ordinary son. Edi does not just have hemophilia. Edi is a double amputee!!
Having witnessed this event is more than memorable, this is unforgettable.
Camp “Ray of Hope” 2007 was made possible through a $5,000 donation from LA Kelley Communications, Inc. www.kelleycom.com
Camp Ray of Hope 2006
French author Anatole France said: “To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”
Two years ago, while celebrating World Hemophilia Day in Bucharest, Laurie Kelley asked us to close our eyes and imagine a camp for children in Romania who suffer from hemophilia. She dared us to dream, she dared us to believe. We closed our eyes and opened the eyes of our imagination and our hearts soared with hope and anticipation.
Laurie’s dream called me to action, but where to begin and how to coordinate? To put together a camp is not an easy task, to put together a camp for children with hemophilia takes even more careful planning and organization.
After much soul searching I remembered that a long time ago I met an elderly man. He was a Polish immigrant who had escaped the Nazis. He had been a butcher in his native country, but upon arriving in the Promised Land he decided that he would get involved in a totally different business and he chose textiles. He amassed a great fortune over the years and I was intrigued how someone could become so successful having very little knowledge of the language and no knowledge whatsoever of the business. I asked him the secret of his success and his answer was forever imprinted in my memory. He said: “I became successful because I surrounded myself with the hardest workers, the most honest people, and the best in the business.” I decided to do the same and I owe the achievement of this camp to everyone who took the time, energy and their own financial resources to make this not only a reality but also a success.
Two years ago, while celebrating World Hemophilia Day in Bucharest, Laurie Kelley asked us to close our eyes and imagine a camp for children in Romania who suffer from hemophilia. She dared us to dream, she dared us to believe. We closed our eyes and opened the eyes of our imagination and our hearts soared with hope and anticipation.
Laurie’s dream called me to action, but where to begin and how to coordinate? To put together a camp is not an easy task, to put together a camp for children with hemophilia takes even more careful planning and organization.
After much soul searching I remembered that a long time ago I met an elderly man. He was a Polish immigrant who had escaped the Nazis. He had been a butcher in his native country, but upon arriving in the Promised Land he decided that he would get involved in a totally different business and he chose textiles. He amassed a great fortune over the years and I was intrigued how someone could become so successful having very little knowledge of the language and no knowledge whatsoever of the business. I asked him the secret of his success and his answer was forever imprinted in my memory. He said: “I became successful because I surrounded myself with the hardest workers, the most honest people, and the best in the business.” I decided to do the same and I owe the achievement of this camp to everyone who took the time, energy and their own financial resources to make this not only a reality but also a success.
