Marnie Halliday

Marnie Halliday:  Volunteer

My first MDA summer camp began in 2009, two weeks after my niece Maddi was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (one of the 42 Muscular Dystrophy diseases). That first year will stay with me as one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I had no idea what to expect since I was still trying to understand the disease she was diagnosed with. It is hard to explain in words all I felt but I can tell you it has changed me forever. Seeing all those people giving up part of their summer vacation to help kids who need so much physical help was eye-opening. The love and kindness displayed to someone most had never met was awe-inspiring. It gave me hope that our world will become a better place. I love that the wheelchairs, braces, and special shoes and equipment just melted into the background and all you could see were some amazing kids who just want to be like everyone else. Everyone is family at camp. I know that if I wasn't there to help Maddi, dozens of others would be there to help with anything she needed. Maddi has made some life-long friends as well and that makes me happy. The last few years at Camp Roger have been great too. The bonding time spent in the cabins has been great for us all. I'm the least girly girl I know, but that week at camp I let the girls do my makeup and paint my nails. We have a great time. I'm always amazed at how much these kids can accomplish and how much their independence means to them. I'm glad that Maddi wants me to come with her until she is too old so it looks like I have at least 5 more years of experiencing my favorite week of the year. I have 2 favorite memories that stand out over the years. One is Maddi dancing with Matt last year. It was so adorable and he was so sweet with her. I'll never forget it. The other was 2 years ago. A little 7 year old boy in my group was at his first camp. His uncle came with him and he stayed pretty close to him for most of camp. On the last night we were in our groups talking about our favorite part of camp. His little eyes teared up and he was so emotional while saying it was the best time of his life. It has been great to see the kids grow over the years. I love them all and the volunteers are pretty amazing too. I can't wait to go 'back to summer camp, happy land. I'm gonna catch the spirit if I can'.

Taylor Cella

Taylor Cella: Volunteer

To be honest, the only reason I attended camp last year was because my parents wanted me to. I was super nervous about going up, I'd never been away from home, and completely shut away from the world for that long. My parents convinced me that it would be an awesome opportunity, and that it would also look good on college applications and such. Once I got up there, my whole view on camp completely changed. I can think of a better way to end my summer than going up and spending a week with such amazing people. I cried at the end of the week because I didn't want it to be over! The moment I left I made up my mind that I was going again every year that I could. This year I'm going again because I want to, not because my parents want me to. I made so many friends up at camp, and am still super close with a lot of the people I met, especially with my cute camper. My advice to anyone considering volunteering is simple: no matter if you're nervous, or questioning going, just go. Whatever doubts you have will all vanish the second you get up to camp. You will not regret it!

Ken Morton

Ken Morton: Volunteer

It's so difficult to describe in words what Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp is. At the very basis it is a week dedicated to the care and entertainment of children and teenagers with neuromuscular diseases - that manifests itself in many forms and complications. At the core of MDA Summer Camp is feeling.

Several years ago, at one particular MDA Summer Camp, we were on a bus ride within our camp groups to one of many destinations that week. I was standing next to a young Bret Pilaar. We were all talking about the activities and experiences of the week thus far. Bret was asked what his favorite part of camp was so far. Bret coyly replied, "McKehl", not aware that she was standing right behind him. MeKehl leaned her head around next to his and looked at him eye to eye. Bret couldn't have been more floored that she had been standing right there. Amidst his baffled reaction she leaned closer and gave him a big kiss on his cheek. Instantly his cheek became the same color as his lips and soon his whole face became beet red. His dropped open mouth quickly turned to a smile. Bret always remembered this moment and would blush any time it was brought up. It was maybe the first of the multitude of kissed he would receive over the years. He was a magnet for a girl's affection. Looking back I cannot recall Bret's face without a smile.

Bret's personal caption." I'm blushing here."

Moments like this become one of a million that happen during the week of MDA Summer Camp. While I can't begin to describe or put a list together of what Bret and the others have taught me and the ways they have influenced me, it becomes simply stated but deeply complicated that these amazing individuals soften your soul.

MDA Summer Camp is something that is put together by the Muscular Dystrophy Association using donations from individuals, families, and corporations. These diseases that are Muscular Dystrophy are seriously debilitating and terminal, for some at a very young age. Those living with the disease do not get the same length of time or opportunity that others get to build life experiences and memories. The large majority of time and monetary donations are allocated to research and development for treatments and cures for these diseases. Time and money also make it possible for these wonderful young ones to concentrate amazing moments into a week of their lives. They will always exponentially give back more than is given. It is incredible. To all my friends in the MDA family, I love you. Bret you are missed but your influence has been unimaginable.

Jarom Woodis

Jarom Woodis: Volunteer

I thought life was hard.  Then my brother went to a thing called MDA camp.  He came back a changed kid.  So naturally I was curious what it was.  But I wasn't old enough.  So I waited till the next year when I could go.  I went to camp and was expecting one thing but it turned out better than I expected
.  I got a young boy in a wheel chair.  Because of this kid, I learned more and grew more spiritually and mentally then I had in months.  MDA is an amazing experience and if given the opportunity take it!  It's so worth it!

Colton Gardner

Colton Gardner: Volunteer

When I say that Summer Camp is my favorite week of the year, I'm not exaggerating by any means. On the last day of camp each year, I already have the next year's camp dates in my calendar and am already counting down the days. This isn't, however, like any other fun summer activity that you've participated in. Although it is fun, it can be stressful, uncomfortable, straining, and you usually don't get as much sleep as you'd like. 

So why do I love it so much? It's all about the sacrifice. I am willing to give anything to go to camp and be with those amazing, inspirational kids. Soldiers have a deep love and respect towards our great country because of all they sacrifice for it. Similarly, parents love their children because of the huge effort that they put into raising them and the sacrifice that's required. The sacrifice you give during this week will help you develop the same profound love that I have for Summer Camp, its cause, and the kids.

This August will be my 6th year as an MDA volunteer and I hope the tradition continues for years to come. Equally, I hope that everyone can have the same life-changing experience that I've been so blessed to have.

Amy Heaps

Amy Heaps: Volunteer

I’ve been going to camp for six years now and this particular story is from my fifth year when I was with my friend, Ryan.   Before going to camp that year I had never met Ryan.  When we first met, he zipped up to me in his wheelchair and told me how excited he was to be at camp.  Getting to know Ryan that day was simply the best, he is a very sweet and affectionate kid.

This was MDA’s first year at YMCA Camp Roger.  Ryan was 7 at the time and he was so excited about riding the horses. The first two days, all that he could talk about were the horses—“Is it time to ride them yet? Have you ever ridden a horse before? When can we ride the horses? Can we go see them for a few minutes? Wow, they are so big! Did you see what that one just did?! Is it time to ride them yet? What do you think it will be like to ride a horse?”

Ryan is a pretty delicate kid; the terrain of camp was really rough on him. However that never dampened his enthusiasm or his desire to get up on that horse and ride it! I was fairly concerned about the logistics of how everything was going to go down.  My worries had to do with his comfort and safety. I’m positive that I probably got a tad annoying with all my questions—“did the camp have anything in place to help keep Ryan in an upright position and his neck up?  No, they don’t? Oh, well then, could it be at all possible that maybe I ride the horse Ryan? No, because it is against Camp Roger’s policies? Alright… Then what’s the game plan? You’ll let me know? Okay..”

When the time had finally arrived, Ryan and I made our way down to the corral and waited at the back of the line. Ryan could barely contain himself—squealing with delight each time one of the other kids got up on the horse and again after it walked past our place in line.

A concern I didn’t know I had arose when I helped Ryan put a helmet on his head. The weight of it made his head sink toward his chest and he started crying because it was uncomfortable. I took the helmet off for a minute and we talked about how YMCA wouldn’t let him ride the horses without it… did he still want to try? His answer was absolutely.

Then, when it was his turn, I set the helmet back on his head, and he brought his wheelchair as close as he could to the corral. I picked him up and carried him the rest of the way in. I talked to the YMCA ladies about what the best course of action would be. They suggested that I try and lift Ryan and set him on the horse myself, but there was no way that could ever happen (I could hardly reach the top of the horse!) Luckily two of my group leaders were there. Tanner and Kelsey are thankfully much taller than I am. Tanner carefully took Ryan from my arms and with some help from everyone we were able to set Ryan in the saddle.  With Tanner and Kelsey on each side of the horse, they slowly walked around the corral keeping Ryan in place. 

He couldn’t stop talking about it for the rest of the week. While we were waiting for his parents he kept talking about how his parents would never believe that he actually rode a horse!  I love camp because of those kinds of experiences—watching the kids doing something that isn’t a normal part of their routine.  I loved watching Ryan experience a different kind of freedom while he was on the horse, even though it was only for a short while.

I adore camp and all of the friends (and to be quite honest (and cheesy) the family) that I have made since I started going to camp six years ago. I can’t imagine a time when camp won’t be the highlight of my year.   

Whitney Jorgensen

Whitney Jorgensen: Volunteer

What do you think you find yourself thinking about the most?  For me it is MDA Summer Camp.  I have had the opportunity to attend camp for three years.  Even before my first year, camp was all I could think about.  That was more because I was extremely nervous.  But since then, it has become excitement and anticipation for the coming year at camp.  The day after camp is the day my countdown for the next year starts.

The main reason I go back to camp every year is because of the love I have for these kids.  They have taught me so much from the short three weeks I have spent with them over the past years.  Explaining the pure joy and excitement these kids have is impossible; you just have to see it for yourself.  I go home from camp every year and try to be half the person these kids are.  Have half the joy, genuineness and love that they have.  Just like Serei said "If you are on the fence about getting involved, you just have to take a leap of faith and do it".  You won't regret the experience you have.  It is, by far, the best week of the year.

 "Back to summer camp, happy land.  I'm gonna catch the spirit if I can!"