Imagine a place where everyone is equal, and you can be appreciated for who you are as a person. Somewhere there is endless fun. A place where there is so much love and care. There is such a place where you can learn so much in such a short time about yourself and others. This is a place where you can make a difference in people’s lives, and they can make one in yours. Imagine having a life-changing experience that is so rewarding that you can never leave.
I have been to such a place – and, no, it’s not the Twilight Zone. I have fallen in love with this place, and now I want to share it with everyone.
For my Spring Break, I decided to do something different. I applied to Alternative Spring Break (ASB) at VCU after someone visited one of my classes and told us about it. ASB is affiliated with BreakAway, the Alternative Break Connection.
My first choice for me to go was Camp Boggy Creek, a camp for chronically ill children in Florida. I want to be a nurse, and I volunteer at hospitals, so I thought it would be a good experience. I was later accepted to my first choice, and I could not wait.
Finally, the day came when I was actually at the camp. It was KOVAC Family Weekend for kids that require ventilator assistance and their families. Naturally, everyone was a bit nervous because none of has had been to the camp before. We spent most of the first day in orientation learning about the kids and what was on the agenda for the week. There were students from Georgia, Florida, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. You meet so many people. The families arrived later that day, and you knew as soon as you met them that it was going to be great. Some of us had children with disabilities that may have made some of our days more challenging, but that made the week even more worth it.
There were at least two volunteers to a family, and some activity pals. Days are long, there are three meals a day, and plenty of fun. You do some activities with your camper – like dog walking, canoeing, fishing, crafts, gym, archery, swimming, etc. – take a break (possible nap time, or activity time) and later do whole-camp activities (a show, a talent show, dance, etc.).
Then when we were done with the day’s activities, we would have ASB reflection time with our group. We could learn more about ourselves and the rest of our group members. Afterwards, volunteers can check their e-mail or do some other fun things. Of course, there is never too much singing and dancing. Activities are designed to accommodate kids with disabilities so they can participate. For some kids, it may be their first time ever getting the chance to swim and do other things that some people may take for granted. These children and their families have had to face obstacles that many of us never could even imagine.
I will be honest. I can be shy and would never even think of dancing in front of anyone in any other situation, but I danced so much that week that I made up for all of the dancing I haven’t done for the past twenty years. My camp loved to dance and had so much fun dancing. No one cared if you could dance because everyone was just having fun. If you couldn’t even sing to save your life but still enjoy singing, you could sing at the top of your lungs because that didn’t matter. Some of the wonderful and extraordinary kids may look different to some ignorant person, but they are just kids. They are kids having the time of their lives at Camp Boggy Creek.
It is places like Camp Boggy Creek that can impact anyone who visits there so much. People like The Boggy Creek Gang can show you the meaning of life. It is organizations like ASB that can give people that chance to really learn about the world and themselves through volunteer work. Even if it means volunteering for just a week, it will have an impact on you for the rest of your life.
At Camp Boggy Creek, it does not matter what you look like on the outside, or how you sing or dance. Who cares who or what you are wearing? Everyone is there to have fun and make new friends for life. The kids spend so much time getting ready for camp and preparing for the theme and waiting all year long. Everyone will cherish their many favorite memories of Camp Boggy Creek forever.
Now I find myself counting the days until I return this summer. I want to help people now more than ever. Now I appreciate all that I have so much more. I could never fully describe how wonderful it felt to be with my ASB group at Camp Boggy Creek. However, I can tell you that going to Camp Boggy Creek or on any ASB trip will be the experience of a lifetime, no matter what you are majoring in (and yes, I suppose some people might think it looks good for graduate school).
Don’t miss out. Camp Boggy Creek is accepting volunteers for this summer. And don’t have any plans for next spring break? Now you do.
Thank you, ASB, for allowing me to be a part of such a great organization. And thank you, Boggy Creek Gang, for sharing the love each and every day.
Rehana Kazi is a pre-nursing and psychology majorat VCU and may be reached at kazirs@vcu.edu.