Transplant Camp 2013 - Camp Kivita : 2012

Friday, December 7, 2012

Planning for Summer 2013 - We have a new home!!!

Dear Campers, Families and Friends,

We hope you have had a wonderful fall season! As we all move forward into our busy lives we hope the memories of the past summer have made you smile and that the good times that we shared are close to your heart.

The Camp Advisory Committee has been extremely busy planning for Summer 2013 and we have lots of news to share with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1) We have a NEW HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are beyond excited to announce our new home at Camp Wenonah in Bracebridge, Ontario, an Ontario Camping Asssociation accredited camp. To learn more about the incredible facility, prorgamming, and our amazing new campsite go to: .http://www.campwenonah.com/ . We are proud to be growing, offering enhanced programming, new activities, and providing camp to children ages 8-18 living with organ transplants and end stage organ failure to more children then ever. We will be expanding across Ontario, and outside of Ontario. We will be providing more information, camper registration forms, and will have our own webpage up and running soon!!! Stay tuned to emails for more details.

2) We have a date!! Camp will be held this summer from Sunday Aug 11 - Saturday Aug 17, 2013

3) We have a new name!!! Transplant camp will now be called "Camp Kivita" - Living Life with organ failure and organ transplants!!

4) Our outsanding Camp Team for 2013 - The Camp Advisory Committee is thrilled to have the support of our incredible nursing and support team once again for 2013 - Jaina, Lindsay K, Lindsay C, Caren, Wendy, Degen, Bernie, Blake, and more to be announced.

5) Importantly, we are so very grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Citron family - Ken's Fund, in memory of Dr. Ken Citron, and the Kidney Foundation who continue to be instrumental as donors and supporters of camp, and many other individual friends and donors - we could not do it without you!!!!!!!!

It is such an incredible joy and honour to be able to work towards such a phenomenal camp experience and we know Summer 2013 will be our biggest and best summer yet. If you would like to get involved please do not hesitate to contact any of us on the Camp Advisory Committee at: transplantcamp@gmail.com, we have listed our primariy roles so that you can direct your questions.

Yours in Camping!!
Stacey (Fundraising and Publicity) & Emily (Operations and Programming) & Christina (Medical)

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Saturday Morning Reflection - The Last Day of Camp

Morning Reflection - The Last Morning of Camp

"It's not living if you don't reach for the sky. I'll have tears as you take off, but I'll cheer for you as you fly" (Singer Mark Harris)

It is early morning on the last day of camp - the campers are all packed up, and the buses will leave in just a few short hours. This morning as we say farewell there will be happy moments and tears shed; tears of sadness as we part from new friends, tears of comfort as we hug one another goodbye for now, and tears of happiness for the good times we have all had together. We often hear our kids say "they wish camp could last all summer" or " camp is like my home away from home". This has always been true for me - camp is my second home, my happy oasis... and I dream of the magic of camp throughout the year.

It has been an extraordinary week here at Lake Joe Transplant Camp. Our campers have spent the week running and laughing, competing and sharing, tubing and canoeing, sailing and dancing, fishing and boat riding, singing and cheering. They have blossomed as they solved problems, pushed their boundaries, gained independence, sang new songs, made new friends, shared thoughts, fears and laughter, and spent quiet time talking, contemplating and reflecting.

So on this last beautiful summer morning - on behalf of your camp team of volunteer nurses and staff- we fervently hope that you will take the lessons learned at camp, the friendships you have made and cherish the memories all year long. Take the happy moments and hold fast to you memories of camp!!

We hope that you will stay in touch with us throughout the year by email: transplantcamp@gmail.com and check back periodically for more pictures, reflections and updates.

Though we bid each of you farewell for now, we hope to see you back at camp next summer!

Yours in Camping, Stacey

On behalf of the Camp Advisory Committee & Leadership Team