An Interview with Bob Benson Bob Benson Began Taking Photographs of Camp Just Before It Opened in 1988
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The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp 2012 GAZETTE Fall Robert Benson Photography An Interview with Bob Benson Bob Benson began taking photographs of Camp just before it opened in 1988. His body of work off ers a unique perspective on the evolution of Camp. In a recent interview, Bob shared what Camp means to him. You initially came to Camp as an Please share a favorite experience How does it feel to know that architectural photographer. How did it you’ve had at Camp. your entire family is now involved IN THIS ISSUE feel to walk onto Camp that fi rst time? Early on, I recall a camper who felt with Camp? What’s New at Camp . .2 I could tell right away that the buildings comfortable enough to remove her My family’s interest in Camp has represented everything for which headscarf at Camp, revealing her bald been extremely exciting for me. CEO Message . .2 the Camp was striving. They have a head. I thought, “What a bold act.” My wife Wendy volunteered last Hospital Outreach on the Go . .3 presence. Like the dining hall. Being Today, it is a common occurrence at summer and my daughters Zoe and round, it gathers you in – everybody Camp, but back then, it was a big deal. Olivia were summer counselors. My Sheriff’s Spotlight faces everybody else. The sound I was also privileged to be there when daughters were already very caring Our corporate partners . .3 reverberates through it. The high Camp opened its doors to a group of and responsible, but I think this has Camper Corral . .3 ceiling gives you a sense of freedom campers from Chernobyl following the helped them to be even more so. Camp Through the Years . .4 and lifts your spirits. In a similar way, nuclear disaster. It didn’t matter that Camp also taught them the value all of the Camp buildings embody they did not understand a word of of putting 110% of yourself into the Camp’s Time Capsule . .4 the purpose of Camp -- structurally, English. They were just on fi re with the work that you do. Our 25th Summer . .5 emotionally and aesthetically. joy of Camp! It was a testament to how Our Events . .6 universal Camp is. What does Camp’s upcoming 25th anniversary mean to you? Team Update . .6 You’ve provided a visual history of It’s both exciting and surprising to Saddle Up for Camp Camp from Day One – a huge gift to think that 25 years have gone by. Highlighting community support . 7 Camp. What is similar about your It is very moving to consider both Camp photos past and present? the benefi t that the campers have Pardner Profi le What is similar is the spirit of Camp – received from Camp and the love Remarkable Camp staff & friends . .7 born of joy, compassion and trust. I hope that all the counselors have taken that it shows in all the photographs I out into the world over the years. have taken over the years. We know that Camp helps make the world a better place. No matter how grim the headlines, that knowledge Be sure to “like” us on Facebook gives me hope. www.facebook.com/holeinthewallgangcamp and follow us on Twitter. Above: The Benson family: Bob, Olivia, Zoe and Wendy See page 4 for more photos by Bob Benson. https://twitter.com/holewallcamp Top photo: A camper in Camp’s early days enjoys recapturing a bit of childhood. What’s New at Camp Our OK Corral got a facelift! The in the Wall Gang Campers recorded infi rmary renovation was completed a new sing-along version of her in time for our 25th summer, hit single “Wonder,” which is now featuring additional treatment available for download at www. rooms and doubling the size of the holeinthewallgang.org. The music pharmacy. Starting in 2013, it will video, directed by Charlie’s Angels allow us to provide overnight care for director McG, is also available and more campers. beautifully highlights the many During Session 9, we launched the wonders of Camp. We hope that Bliss Project, a pilot program designed everyone will show their support by to serve the population of aging-out sharing our song as we celebrate our campers who are not physically or community and invite new friends to medically able to participate in Hero’s join us. Together, we can help more Journey or our Leader In Training seriously ill children experience the Program (LIT). Tailored to participants’ magic of Camp. ability levels, the Bliss Project brought New York-based Grey Group is some of the philosophy and practices providing its expertise pro bono to build with a specially designed from Hero’s Journey into an experience awareness of Camp’s mission and 25th stencil by London-based of challenge and self-discovery – giving anniversary. On August 13, Grey Group artist Katy Beveridge. its teen participants a boost of self- released a 30-second Camp PSA, which The new Team PSA will be confi dence and the opportunity to may be accessed on the Camp’s web site released during Camp’s return to Camp. at www.holeinthewallgang.org. Grey 25th anniversary. To help us celebrate 25 years fi lmed a Team Hole in the Wall PSA at Famous faces at of “a diff erent kind of healing,” our Camp Challenge Ride on September Camp this summer Natalie Merchant and The Hole 8. Cyclists decorated their bike wheels included actress Bridget Moynahan, taking a break from the CBS TV drama “Blue Bloods,” and Governor Dannel Malloy, who stopped off and visited Camp while on a trip to promote tourism in the state. CBS Correspondent Martha Teichner and the Sunday Morning crew visited Camp Above top: CEO Jimmy Canton (far left) and in early August to shoot a segment on Senior Development Offi cer Ryan Thompson Camp that featured beautiful tributes (far right) joined McG and Bridget Moynahan from CEO Jimmy Canton, Board Member at Camp. Melissa Newman and a host of campers. Above: Natalie Merchant recorded her hit The segment aired August 26, and before song “Wonder” as a single with our campers the week was out, Camp’s Facebook this summer. page had jumped by 1,000 “Likes.” The Left: Our infi rmary renovation featured ad- segment may be accessed on the Camp ditional treatment rooms and doubled the web site: www.holeinthewallgang.org. size of the pharmacy. From the CEO Hours after our last summer work beside the most consistently camper had left, I found myself compassionate, creative, funny and seated in the middle of one of the dedicated people I have ever met. most beautiful places in the world – Grateful for how Camp has changed Camp’s Cabin Circle – preparing my my life –bringing me sustained remarks to the staff for our summer joy, perspective, centeredness closing banquet. It was an absolutely and friendship. Grateful to the beautiful day – a cloudless blue sky families who have trusted us with helping to de-clutter my mind. It was their most precious and vulnerable the end of our 25th summer. The staff possessions. And most importantly, was brilliant all summer long and grateful for the unforgettable and that would be easy to emphasize. inspirational friendship and courage But this moment required something from, literally, thousands of children more. It was, after all, the closing of with whom I have played, laughed, Chief Executive Offi cer Jimmy Canton with camper. our TWENTY-FIFTH summer! hugged, high-fi ved and consoled Time and time again, I come over the past 25 years – a handful, supported our eff orts to provide volunteers and our campers and back to gratitude. Grateful for in particular, who have taken up “a diff erent kind of healing” to the their families, Happy Thanksgiving the blessings in my life – in stark permanent real estate in my heart. children and families we serve – and Happy 25th Anniversary Hole contrast to the unjust suff ering Thanksgiving this year means many of you for the past 25 years in the Wall! May the next 25 be fi lled and misfortune in the lives of the even more as we celebrate our 25th – you have my heartfelt thanks. On with even more laughter, love, play children we serve. Grateful to Anniversary. To all of you who have behalf of our Board, our staff , our and friendship. opened your heart to Camp and 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. The day for Hospital Outreach “One night,” recalled Ari, “campers Specialist Arielle “Ari” Linsky usually were asked to name three things: begins in the hematology/oncology something they were proud of, waiting room. Here, she sits with something they were scared of, and Hospital Outreach Specialist Arielle Linsky with a patient. children waiting for treatment, something they were looking forward to.’” engaging them in scratch art and other After a few minutes, a sudden What’s New at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp projects, listening to their worries and torrent of rain led the 14 campers and Hospital Outreach Program® helping to allay any fears or concerns counselors to squeeze into a six-person they may have. Later in the day, she tent. “The space was unique. The » The Hospital Outreach Program added two new locations: Our Boston visits children who are receiving answers were beautiful. The closeness Hospital Outreach team started providing visits to patients at Children’s inpatient care at their bedsides, sharing of the community fi lled the moment Hospital-Waltham Campus this summer, and the New York City team will start arts and crafts projects, playing games, with a sort of magic,” she said.