Family Camp Spring 2012
Horizons in Hemophilia, April 2012
By Kim Wilson, Camp and Activities Coordinator
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More than 160 people including client families, staff, and volunteers enjoyed a perfect March weekend at Family Camp at Camp Twin Lakes. Families arrived on Friday evening and were greeted by volunteers and staff to assist with luggage and check-in.
After dinner, the families participated in some icebreakers to get to know one another. Then, the families participated in a modified game of tag where they learned about the importance of a person with hemophilia receiving a factor infusion and RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation) when “tagged” in life by activity or injury.
After that, we enjoyed a “Plasma Parfait” for our evening snack. As we made our parfaits, Karen Clark, HoG Outreach Nurse, taught us about the parts of the blood. The yogurt represented plasma, dried cranberries represented red blood cells, white raisins represented white blood cells, granola represented platelets, honey represented fibrins, and clotting factors were represented by multicolored sprinkles.
On Saturday morning the families were divided into age groups for educational sessions. A nursery was provided for kids up to age 3, while fun on the playground and game time was offered for everyone age 4-6.
While the 7 to 11 year olds enjoyed camp activities such as nature, boats, and archery, the older kids and adults participated in discussion groups facilitated by the HoG staff.
The groups were divided up by teens or adults, then by diagnosis. The groups addressed questions about different issues faced by the bleeding disorder community. Then, everyone came together to play a relay game titled “Transition Train.” This activity was designed around the MASAC guidelines developed to help teens transition into adulthood. This activity helped teens and parents learn about the guidelines and start talking about things like the teen being responsible for making an annual HTC appointment and placing orders for medication.
After lunch everyone had a chance to participate in camp activities including archery, fishing, arts & crafts, tennis, mini golf, cooking, paddle boats, climbing tower, giant swing, sports, and basketball. It was a beautiful day to enjoy all of the outdoor activities, especially the climbing tower and giant swing.
The evening activity was a Get to know S’more Party & Hayride at the ball field. Camp Twin Lakes has a hayride wagon (no hay!) that hooks up to a tractor. While some went on a hayride, others made s’mores and enjoyed the music, dancing and camp songs led by the Camp Twin Lakes staff.
On Sunday morning everyone had breakfast together and the weekend ended with a raffle drawing. Families earned raffle tickets by participating in the educational sessions and for completing the weekend evaluation. The families, staff and volunteers thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.