Friday marks the end of another summer of meaning and impact across the JCC’s camps. While there is always a bit of a letdown as the summer season draws to a close, at Emma Kaufmann Camp (EKC) we are already looking forward to a robust agenda of rentals with a purpose – organizations and communities that use our camp facilities to create experiences that matter.
One such rental has already gotten underway, Camp CHIHOPI, which for 31 years has called EKC its home.
Camp CHIHOPI is a truly extraordinary community for children and young adults who have experienced liver, kidney or intestine transplantation. At CHIHOPI, campers are supported not only in being kids and enjoying a traditional summer camp experience, but also in navigating some of the unique challenges that come with growing up after a transplant.
One important part of that work is helping campers move from pediatric medical care to adult care. Through a structured process, teens and young adults learn how to take greater responsibility for their own health on their way to ultimately manage their healthcare independently.
Just as importantly, CHIHOPI gives campers opportunities to process grief and the complicated emotions that can accompany their experiences and this year, a special segment of the programming will also focus on body image and self-esteem, which serves as an important reminder that caring for a young person means caring for the whole person, not simply their medical needs.
And then there is good ole’ fashioned camp: swimming, archery, horseback riding, arts & crafts, meals in the dining hall, friendships, laughter and all of the other experiences that allow young people to simply be kids.
And as CHIHOPI campers were making their way down toward Morgantown, WV, and Cheat Lake on Thursday, I had the privilege of attending Camp CHIHOPI’s Annual Family Brunch. Not only did I meet many of the families whose lives have been touched by the longstanding partnership between CHIHOPI and EKC, but I got to hear from many of the care team, led by Beverly Kosmach-Park, who plan and deliver the outstanding programming and support services that allow campers to build friendships, discover their strength, and create memories that last well beyond the summer. All in attendance delivered a clear and powerful message: Children continue to be the pioneers in advancing transplant science. Their experiences, resilience and willingness to help researchers and medical professionals better understand transplantation continue to shape what is possible for future generations.
That is why rentals like Camp CHIHOPI are so meaningful to Emma Kaufmann Camp and the JCC. We talk often about the power of camp to create connections, instill values, foster growth and deliver fun. CHIHOPI brings all four to life in a particularly powerful way.
So while we will certainly miss the energy and excitement of our traditional summer camp season, I am excited that the sounds of camp will continue at EKC. The summer may be ending, but the meaning and impact of camp are not.
Wishing you all a Shabbat shalom,
Jason