The Gift CAmp Reynal Gave Me
For those of you that don’t know, I’d like to start by saying this: There are truly good people in this world. And they work at Camp John Marc.
Camp John Marc inspires confidence in children. Currently, they host 11 week-long summer camps for children who share a common medical or physical challenge, whether it be spina bifida, kidney disease, severe asthma, or cancer (this list is not exhaustive). The facilities at CJM are specialized to accommodate these challenges; everything is safe, wheel-chair accessible, and incredibly beautiful.
I was fortunate enough to be a counselor at Camp Reynal, a specialized camp at CJM for kids with kidney and urological disease. Before camp, I had literally zero knowledge about kidney disease. I was intent on trying to be the best counselor I could, and, on another childish level, live out some unfulfilled dreams of mine to go to summer camp.
I learned quickly that Camp Reynal was really no ordinary summer camp. When I got assigned my kids, I learned more about them in that week than the people I sit next to in class all year long. Most of these children have never been away from home, have never been without their parents, in and out of the hospital, for as long as a week. Most of these kids, despite how young they were, were incredibly responsible about maintaining their health. They knew what medications to take and exactly when to take them. They were extremely knowledgeable about how to use their own peritoneal dialysis machines during bedtime. These kids face challenges that some of us will never have to face, and that truly hit home for me.
When you get to learn your camper’s life, through small talks at dinner or while walking to their next activity, you can’t help but grow love for them. There’s a magic to camp. A truly positive energy. Because when these kids show up to the pool and see others with bandages over their stomach, or when they see they aren’t the only ones who have to wake up at 6 AM to go to dialysis, they realize they’re not alone. They realize their identity is not within their diagnosis – that, while at camp, they can truly just be kids with other kids. Here, they are surrounded by others who encourage and challenge them to be their best selves.
When you get to hear, “This was the best week of my life,” from a child’s beaming face, that’s truly a gift you never knew you wanted. I came to camp hoping to impact these children in a positive manner, but you quickly realize that the opposite will happen. These children, despite whatever medical or physical challenge they face, are brave and happy and full of life. They have such a love and respect for life that I only wish I could mirror.
What I experienced at Camp Reynal has only proven to me that good people exist in this world, and they come to camp ready to serve these children. So props to the staff who willingly sacrifice their summers to give these children an amazing, memorable week, and props to the many volunteers from across the country who are compelled to return to camp, just like I am, for a chance to hear “This was the best week of my life” once again.
- Hasmin Banzuelo
Camp John Marc inspires confidence in children. Currently, they host 11 week-long summer camps for children who share a common medical or physical challenge, whether it be spina bifida, kidney disease, severe asthma, or cancer (this list is not exhaustive). The facilities at CJM are specialized to accommodate these challenges; everything is safe, wheel-chair accessible, and incredibly beautiful.
I was fortunate enough to be a counselor at Camp Reynal, a specialized camp at CJM for kids with kidney and urological disease. Before camp, I had literally zero knowledge about kidney disease. I was intent on trying to be the best counselor I could, and, on another childish level, live out some unfulfilled dreams of mine to go to summer camp.
I learned quickly that Camp Reynal was really no ordinary summer camp. When I got assigned my kids, I learned more about them in that week than the people I sit next to in class all year long. Most of these children have never been away from home, have never been without their parents, in and out of the hospital, for as long as a week. Most of these kids, despite how young they were, were incredibly responsible about maintaining their health. They knew what medications to take and exactly when to take them. They were extremely knowledgeable about how to use their own peritoneal dialysis machines during bedtime. These kids face challenges that some of us will never have to face, and that truly hit home for me.
When you get to learn your camper’s life, through small talks at dinner or while walking to their next activity, you can’t help but grow love for them. There’s a magic to camp. A truly positive energy. Because when these kids show up to the pool and see others with bandages over their stomach, or when they see they aren’t the only ones who have to wake up at 6 AM to go to dialysis, they realize they’re not alone. They realize their identity is not within their diagnosis – that, while at camp, they can truly just be kids with other kids. Here, they are surrounded by others who encourage and challenge them to be their best selves.
When you get to hear, “This was the best week of my life,” from a child’s beaming face, that’s truly a gift you never knew you wanted. I came to camp hoping to impact these children in a positive manner, but you quickly realize that the opposite will happen. These children, despite whatever medical or physical challenge they face, are brave and happy and full of life. They have such a love and respect for life that I only wish I could mirror.
What I experienced at Camp Reynal has only proven to me that good people exist in this world, and they come to camp ready to serve these children. So props to the staff who willingly sacrifice their summers to give these children an amazing, memorable week, and props to the many volunteers from across the country who are compelled to return to camp, just like I am, for a chance to hear “This was the best week of my life” once again.
- Hasmin Banzuelo