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!"

MDA Camp 2012

This is a video that Channel 4 News did on Summer Camp!  It isn't very long and totally worth watching!

Stephanie Jensen

Stephanie Jensen: Volunteer

For the last three years I have volunteered at the MDA Summer Camp. Those three weeks have beent he best three weeks of my life. I first heard of camp from a couple friends and from my aunt. After thinking about it for a while, I decided that this camp would be a great experience. My best friend also decided to sign up for camp which made me even more excited, but as camp drew nearer I found myself getting more and more scared. I started second quessing myself and told myself I couldn't do it. Luckily, me and my best friend were paired with the same camper. 

That first week of camp was full of different emotions for me. I was nervous, I was excited, I was happy. My camper is the craziest and most lovable boy I have ever met. I was constantly chasing after him and by the end of week I was exhausted. Despite all that, it was by far the best week of my life. I came away from camp feeling so elated and like a new, better person. It's hard to explain, but camp is the best thing that ever happened to me.

The next two years were even better. I was more comfortable at camp, I was less nervous, and I made so many friends. I started to get to know the campers more and I came to really love each and every one of them. These are some of the greatest kids I've ever met. These kids are so genuine and unique. They are the best examples to me. Before my first year of camp I was nervous, but now I just look forward  to working with these kids. I also started to make friends with volunteers and group leaders. Everyone at MDA becomes family. The support system at camp is amazing!

Every year after camp I find myself counting down the days till next year's camp. I long to be back at camp hours after leaving. I frequently find myself looking at pictures of camp and reflecting back on my experiences. Whenever I get around camp friends we always talk about good memories. Camp has changed my life and I promise it will change yours too. Come and join our MDA family!

Delanee Gilbert

Delanee Gilbert: Camp Volunteer

My experience at camp has been difficult, yes, but I wouldn't change it for anything. Over the past 2 summers I have learned more about joy and selflessness than I have in my 17 years of being alive. For a lot of these kids, they don't have much, yet they are some of the happiest people that you will ever meet. They are so grateful for you sacrificing your time to them and you can't help but fall in love with every single one of them. It's hard to leave them on that last day but it's such a good feeling to know that you were able to help them have probably one of the best weeks out of the entire year; a week where they are able to escape their disability and maybe even the bullies that they have to deal with every other day of the year and be able to be with kids that are just like them. I LOVE CAMP.

Serei Panh

Serei Panh: Camper & Volunteer

I had the opportunity to participate in the MDA summer camp both as a participant and a volunteer. As a participant, it was truly a place where I don't have to deal with things I go through everyday. I don't have to explain to people about my visible limp nor about the challenge of climbing stairs. I don't get strange looks when I trip or fall. In a way, it was a week where I felt like my disability had magically disappeared. I could really say that it helped me deal with the emotional side of things much better and have a much more positive outlook on life. I was more willing to go on adventures and explore what life has to offer before I'm in a position where I can't anymore.

But the best thing about camp is perhaps all the wonderful people you meet and interact with. As a volunteer, I met some amazing people. Hearing stories about how they get involved with MDA is quite an enlightening experience. People that donate their time to helping someone like myself are just really really good human beings. I've met some of the same folks at the National Ability Center and it's the human connection factor (a Dexter reference) that makes these experiences life changing. Anyway, I can't do justice about how wonderful this program is through words. You just have to experience it for yourself. If you are on the fence about getting involved, you just have to take a leap of faith and do it.

Jake Turner

Jake Turner: Camper

I've been going to camp for 9 years after this next one, and it's just fun being paired with all the cool volunteers. You make such good friends at camp and keep in touch after. The experiences there are ones we don't usually get anywhere else. Camp is a place of friends, fun, experience, and most importantly everyone at camp become family.