Helping Kids Kids. a Report to the Community KYLE PETTY, CAMP FOUNDER and CHAIRMAN
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EXPLORE discover happy smile SHINE laugh friends FUN Helping kids kids. A Report to the Community KYLE PETTY, CAMP FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN I find it hard to believe that it has been ten years since our matter their illness or gates opened at Victory Junction and the first campers diagnosis. We appreciate set foot on our amazing campus. It seems like yesterday all the gifts we receive that we were all caught up in a wave of dedication and because they allow us determination, support and sweat, passion and purpose to continue to provide that brought Victory Junction up out of 84 acres in the the empowering Victory rolling hills of Randleman. Junction experience at Now, as you review our report to the community, we no cost to the children have completed our tenth year and have transformed and their families. more than 21,000 children and their family members in to We look forward to working with you to support the next campers. When they come to Victory Junction, children ten years and beyond. There is no greater cause than leave their limitations and boundaries at the gate. All caring for our children! they focus on here is fun. The simple activities that our healthy children can enjoy aren’t always available to Many thanks, How it all started... children facing serious or chronic medical conditions, so we even the playing field by providing a medically safe environment where our campers can do things they didn’t think were possible. Victory Junction is By supporting the work we do, you share our belief that accredited by the a lanky, wide-smiling teenager visited Camp Boggy every child deserves the chance to just be a kid, no Kyle Petty American Camping Association. {IN 1999} Creek, a SeriousFun camp in Florida, with his dad and knew it was his calling to bring a similar camp to the hills of North Carolina where he grew up. FOUNDERS This young man was up and coming racecar driver Adam Petty, son of VICTORY JUNCTION’S MISSION NASCAR driver Kyle Petty, grandson of racing legend Richard Petty and great Dale Earnhardt Jr. Located in Randleman, North Carolina, Victory Junction provides life- The Bahre Family grandson of NASCAR pioneer Lee Petty. This fourth generation driver was just changing camp experiences that help enrich the lives of children with starting his own racing career while still sleeping under his parents’ roof, but Kurt Busch chronic medical conditions or serious illness, all in a safe and medically- Adam was wise beyond his years. He not only had a passion for racing, but a passion for helping Carolinas Credit Union Foundation sound environment. The Victory Junction camp experience is available Coca-Cola to children ages six to 16, always at no cost to campers or their families. others. In between races, Adam took the time to visit pediatric hospitals and spent time with children Goody’s who were battling chronic illness. He also saved money and started developing the plans for the Hugh Hawthorne children’s camp of his dreams. Hendrick Motorsports Leo Hindery, Jr. One year after his touching experience visiting children at Florida’s Camp Boggy Creek, Adam Kangaroo Express Petty tragically lost his life in a racing accident at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. To honor his Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation Founded by Paul Newman, SeriousFun memory, the Petty family gathered their strength and as a part of their healing process, challenged Kyle Petty Charity Ride, Inc. Children’s Network is a growing global themselves, their friends and the NASCAR community to build a place where children with serious David & Ruth Lind community of independently managed and illness could experience life and celebrate being kids. They set out to build Adam’s dream. Sam & Priscilla McCall and David Moon financed camps and programs creating opportunities for children with serious illnesses Johnny Morris With land donated by Richard and Lynda Petty, the Petty family spearheaded a capital campaign and their families to reach beyond illness and discover joy, confidence and The NASCAR Foundation in 2002 and dollar by dollar received donations from corporations, individuals and foundations to a new world of possibilities, always free of charge. The name “SeriousFun” Paul Newman captures Paul Newman’s belief in the power of taking fun seriously for build what would become Victory Junction, a NASCAR-themed camp only ninety minutes from Kyle Petty children with serious illness and their families, and was an expression that he Charlotte, N.C. In June 2004, Adam’s legacy of love was realized when Victory Junction opened its Pattie Petty liked and used. The name reflects both the “serious” components of impact gates to its first campers. Richard & Lynda Petty and outcomes and the “fun” experience provided by camp. Victory Sprint Junction is proud to be a part of SeriousFun Children’s Network. Today, spread across 84 acres, Victory Junction is a safe and medically-sound environment, allowing Time Warner Cable children to do what they do best – be kids, play, imagine, make friends and enjoy the adventures Tony Stewart and experiences of camp life. Michael & Buffy Waltrip Jordan Washburn victoryjunction.org victoryjunction.org • 2 Walmart Every child can participate in all of our MPER CA SH Y IN CAMP ACTIVITIES! R E E S V ! E WESTLEY A camper who battled cancer and now is in remission, Westley ARCHERY ATHLETICS BOATING BOWLING CRAFTS attended camp for the 7th time this summer. He not only got over the depression and difficult treatments by coming to camp, he also got what counselors like to call the “energizer switch.” When Westley first came to camp he was very shy, didn’t enjoy going to activities and really just wanted to rest. But little did we know this would be quick to change. CAMP OBJECTIVES How did camp do this for Westley? Camp is a place where you • Create opportunities for children who cannot attend can be yourself and people will not judge you. Who knew an “imaginary switch” would create a child who is always smiling ZIPLINING other camps due to their medical conditions, so they CLIMBING and running around like he just had 13 cherry ICEE’s from the Pit can safely exercise, participate and succeed in activities Stop. Our program staff understands sometimes you just need that otherwise might be too challenging or unavailable people to believe in you when times are rough and happiness is to them. nowhere to be seen. • Provide a place for kids who are limited by the complexities of their medical conditions the ability to experience a place where their disease or condition is NOT the focus. ERIC WOODWORKING • Surround the children with other children, just like DANCING A camper with Cerebral Palsy, Eric has themselves, in a place other than a hospital, allowing attended camp nine times. His mom knows the fear and hurt of criticism and teasing to disappear this is the happiest place on earth for him. allowing self-confidence to emerge, developing a Not only is Eric wheelchair bound he is sense of independence while enjoying camaraderie, also non-verbal. This makes home life very achievement, and acceptance. difficult, especially since Eric is being raised • Provide a medically safe environment where children in a single parent household. Although Eric TUBING can celebrate just being a kid. FISHING cannot verbally tell his mom what he likes or doesn’t like, she can see it through his JESSIE • Assure parents that their children’s needs and wants are eyes and picture his perfect smile: meet medically, physically and emotionally. A camper with Cerebral Palsy, Jessie has attended camp for • Secure funding for each week and weekend of camp so “Although I cry after several years during the summer and for family weekends. The first thing you realize about Jessie is how much she loves her that the maximum number of children and families may dropping him off every family. The first time we ever met her, she would only get around be served each year. time, I know he is safe camp using her wheelchair. We later found out she could walk by herself, but chose not to. This last summer we noticed a SWIMMING GOLFING and happy and that’s all significant change in Jessie’s personality. A girl who once relied a mom can ask for.” heavily on her wheelchair began using her crutches to walk to every program area. Not only did Jessie increase her walking ability but her perception of who she was changed significantly. What does camp do for Eric? In addition to making new friends, he’s able to participate How did camp change Jessie’s life? Before, Jessie was the person in activities that normally he can only watch in the audience cheering on her sisters performing, watching his older brother do at home. others shoot archery and looking down upon herself because JEWELRY HORSEBACK she was in a wheelchair. The Jessie we have come to know is SINGING KICKBALL PAINTING MAKING RIDING the one performing Frozen on stage in front of a large audience, shooting several bullseyes by herself and not letting her disability hold her back. 3 • victoryjunction.org victoryjunction.org • 4 CHILDREN SERVED in 2014 TOTAL CHILDREN SERVED 2004-2014 (by state): 12,405 Bleeding Disorders 58 “The lesson that Victory Burn Survivors 2 Junction has taught me, “We all have different skin Cancer 55 is that you do belong color, different blood and “Our volunteers don’t get Craniofacial Anomalies 25 in the world even if you different diseases, but we paid with money; they get Diabetes 79 are different.” all have the same heart paid with smiles.” and share the same love.” Genetic Disorders 85 Katherine, Age 16 Christopher, Age 10 Jawuan, Age 15 Gastrointestinal 61 Heart Disease 51 Immunologic Disorders 17 Kidney Disorders 64 4 Lung Disease 24 9 4 27 Neurological Disorders 97 7 15 42 30 3 Physical Disabilities 235 6 46 106 47 Rheumatologic Disorders 25 12 5 108 97 36 Sibling 1 116 26 241 143 9 Sickle Cell Disease 84 8 60 6 20 68 64 Skin Disorders 8 1,392 16 47 62 Transplant 2 49 16 26 7,279 Other 105 196 1,375 31 15 36 4 11 66 275 3 ALL CAMPERS SERVED (by year) 137 85 19 4 “We gave the girls a 1 choice this year, Disney TOTAL: 2004 641 118 or Camp, and well here 759 we are.