Climbing to New Heights
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp 2017 GAZETTE Fall The new Henry’s High Ropes Course and Audrey’s Air Lines provides campers with both a personal odyssey and group experience. Climbing to New Heights Henry’s High Hopes and Audrey’s Air Lines A defining element of the Camp has tripled the number of campers cumulative experience where they IN THIS ISSUE experience is campers learning that who can now participate in the tower build on skills each year. The middle they are capable of more than they program – allowing the oldest three and second oldest units of campers What’s New at Camp . .2 ever imagined. In a space where they units in each session to have a high are able to climb their choice of two CEO Message . .2 can safely take on challenges and ropes experience. It is more accessible climbing walls, or be raised up to the push the boundaries of possibility, as well, broadening the scope of who platform by their cabinmates via the Holiday Tribute Cards . .2 they discover that their illness does can participate and multiplying the team lift, while the oldest campers can Hospital Outreach® on the Go . .3 not define them and that they are activities available. also choose to climb the new cargo net Family Flats . .3 surrounded by a community of At Rare Disease Family Camp, the or vertical playpen to reach the top. support who will help them reach new very first camper got to experience the Once there, Camp’s oldest campers Summer 2017 . .4-5 heights. And for nearly 20 years, the new course. Paralyzed from the neck are challenged by four different ropes Our Events . .6 tower climb has been the culminating down, she was lifted to the top utilizing elements while being cheered on symbol of this. a pulley system and easily transferred by their friends. Using a static belay Sheriff’s Spotlight “The tower experience is really a to the zip lines where she experienced system, they are able to safely move Our corporate partners . .6 metaphor about life for our campers,” the freedom of zooming through the themselves through the challenges, Trail Blazers . .7 said Executive Camp Director Hilary air. At the end, she was lowered to the building their independence and Axtmayer. “If they are able to get ground with a simple push of a button, confidence. And everyone has Saddle Up for Camp . .7 through this challenge, what else can thanks to a hydraulic lift system. the opportunity to soar down the Pardner Profi le they do? They feel empowered to get “The new high ropes course is a side-by-side zip lines with a friend, Remarkable Camp staff & friends . .7 through treatments, make friends multi-layered approach,” said Dennis reveling in their accomplishment and or take on greater responsibility for Rinaldi, Camp’s program coordinator. experiencing the exhilaration of flying themselves.” “It’s no longer just about getting to through the woods. But this summer, thanks to a the top. Campers are then challenged “I thought it would be pretty generous gift from Mike and Eileen to work with their cabins on the new hard to climb up the net to get to Kolakowski, a new challenge awaited ropes elements. These dimensions the top of the tower,” a camper our campers – Henry’s High Hopes have added new opportunities for shared of her experience this summer. Course and Audrey’s Air Lines, which both individual challenge and group “But once I got going, it really wasn’t. I Be sure to “like” us on Facebook were named in honor of Mike’s dynamics.” felt very accomplished and very proud http://www.facebook.com/ parents. Built in partnership with Henry’s High Hopes Course and of myself.” holeinthewallgangcamp Project Adventure, the new course Audrey’s Air Lines offer campers a and follow us on Twitter and Instagram http://www.twitter.com/holewallcamp http://www.instagram.com/holewallcamp What’s New at Camp What’s New at Camp It’s been an exhilarating few The Hero’s Journey Canoe months at Hole in the Wall, both on Program, also offered this summer, CEO JimmyJimm Canton gives some pool pointers while volunteeringvolunteering Camp and beyond. Over the last few brought together eight past Hero’s in the cabinscab i this summer. s mmer months, we’ve piloted several new Journey participants for a three-day programs aimed at adolescents and reunion where they gained confidence young adults. In the spring, Hole in the and a sense of accomplishment by Wall hosted its first ever Adolescent mastering a new skill. Each day of the From the CEO and Young Adult Conference. Fifteen program built on the previous day’s participants from Connecticut and lessons and culminated in a three- As I look back on our 30th summer and the last three decades of Camp, I’m Massachusetts enjoyed a day that hour canoe paddle on the Farmington so proud of how Hole in the Wall has grown. We served just 288 campers our first mixed Camp programming with River. summer in 1988. Today, we are providing “a different kind of healing” to more educational sessions provided by Yale- The summer brought other than 20,000 children and family members annually – many of them in multiple New Haven Hospital. Looking ahead, new, exciting experiences across ways – through a variety of year-round programs. That’s awesome! the conference will be expanded to a the organization as well. Hole in But, to be honest, I’m probably most proud of something about Camp that full Weekend Alumni Program that uses the Wall was once again a primary hasn’t changed. a similar format of combining Camp charity beneficiary of the Travelers Back in the late 1980s, the whole concept of a camp for children with cancer, fun with informational programming. Championship. Camp was joined by AIDS and other grim diagnoses was a revolutionary proposition. But thanks to In the summer, we offered Strides, celebrity friends Dane DeHaan and Tyler the boldness and benevolence of our Founder, these children and their families a five-day program serving adolescents Hoechlin for the Celebrity Mini Golf found a sanctuary at Camp – a place of fun, friendship and acceptance. Camp who are too medically complicated for Tournament, and Dane also participated ended isolation and provided hope when it seemed most elusive. This is Hole in Camp’s Hero’s Journey. Strides brought in the Celebrity Pro-Am. Then, during the Wall at its very best. It is our heritage. It is who we were born to be. together elements of this program and Session 3, campers were treated to a Today, our Founder’s example still resonates and inspires us to continue the summer program, with the intent special screening of Pixar’s Cars 3 which to reach out to other marginalized populations – such as those living with of instilling a sense of confidence and featured Camp Founder Paul Newman, very rare illnesses who face a debilitating quality of life and uncertain medical accomplishment in these campers who utilizing historical content captured future. Partnerships with the National Organization for Rare Disorders and other have aged out. Participants worked during the first Cars. advocacy groups have allowed even more of these children and their families to together on a service project for Camp, And in September, Sandra Boynton experience our programs and find a “hole” new community of support. creating a beautiful sign post pointing released her sixth CD and children’s It is because of these brave children and families that Camp does not have to each of the camps in the SeriousFun songbook set – HOG WILD – and is a comfort zone and never will. The Hole in the Wall board and staff are always Children’s Network. Each participant donating all royalties to Hole in the Wall. thinking outside the box, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and finding also worked individually with a mentor Featuring toe-tapping tunes performed new ways serve those who need Camp the most. through the course of the program, who by celebrities including Kristin Bell, But none of this would be possible without you. Thank you so much for your helped guide their experience and pro- Patrick Wilson and Samuel L. Jackson, continued faith in Camp’s mission. vide a platform where they could work the book is available at https://www. on interpersonal communications skills. workman.com/products/hog-wild. Camp Holiday Tribute Cards Are Here! Share some Camp spirit by recognizing clients, family and friends with Camp’s holiday tribute cards this holiday season. Featuring several choices of camper artwork, Camp’s holiday cards let you make a donation to Camp on behalf of others. Order today at www.holeinthewallgang.org/holiday or contact Maria Gomez at Top photo: Sandra Boynton donated 100% of royalties from her new songbook/CD set to Camp. [email protected] or (203) 772-0522. Above: The new Strides program participants worked together to create a lasting legacy at Camp. 2 Hospital Outreach® on the GO Highlights from our exciting year-round program that brings the joy of Camp to seriously ill children in locations across the Northeast. When a child is in the hospital, the who understand the challenges place on a monthly patient’s entire family grapples with they face. Friendships are formed or weekly basis, fear, uncertainty and stress as they and knowledge is shared within depending on cope with the medical challenges of a community of acceptance and the hospital, and a loved one. They, like their children, support.