First established in 1985, Camp Rainbow was designed to provide carefree fun for any child or teen who has been diagnosed with cancer or suffers from a rare blood disorder. Seeking to connect those who have been in similar situations, together the campers are able to learn from each other, offer mutual support and share complex emotions.
On Monday, June 5, campers and counselors spent an afternoon at Topgolf before enjoying a meal provided by Tbonz Steakhouse of Augusta, and later ending the day seeing the newly released installment of Guardians of the Galaxy at Riverwatch Cinemas.
Located at Camp Lakeside in nearby Lincoln County and run by the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, participants spend six days for free doing various activities, such as: fishing, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf, basketball, arts and crafts and even more.
“We want to tell these kids that just because they have something that makes them different doesn’t mean they can’t do anything they want to do,” said Camp Rainbow Assistant Director Stephanie Grayson. “Everything that’s sporty and outside, we try to make it work.”
Camp Rainbow is staffed by volunteers, doctors and nurses from the Children’s Hospital, who provide round-the-clock care and daily treatment for campers during their stay; this represents just one of five summer camps run by the care facility.
“I love what we do and I love the good activities they have for us,” said young camper Michael Johnson as he prepared to play at Topgolf. “Sometimes people don’t always have a lot of time left, so they need to spend the rest of their time being happy.”
Although he is not a golfer and did not expect to play well, Johnson said he was delighted to be around peers and partake in delightful activities with other boys; his favorite camp activity was archery, and he was extremely excited to watch Marvel’s new superhero film.
Fellow camper, Kennedy Martin, said she loved Camp Rainbow because it gives her the opportunity to meet other teens who are going through the same struggles as herself.
“I love that I can just meet new people and figure out things we have in common,” she said. “We have so much in common. We can talk about our problems in chemo and we’re able to make new relationships.”
Martin, who is sixteen years old, said her favorite camp activity was rock climbing, as it showcased her skills to tackle something most people would not expect of a cancer patient.
“A lot of times we’re just locked in a hospital room and it’s really hard. It’s harder to go out with friends and stuff, so this means a lot to the patients here,” she said. “Cancer patients kind of get looked down on … but to be able to go and do this stuff just shows that we are worth something even though we have [health] problems.”
Grayson said the program offers patients and their siblings a chance to make new memories while smiling and laughing together – even for those that might have difficulty walking.
“Some of our kids have never gotten to play golf before, so this experience is really cool … it’s a nice little celebration for the kids at the hospital who have to go through treatments and chemo, and everything that no kid wants to do,” she said. “But we give them an opportunity to just be a kid again and come to camp, and have the same camp experience that any other kid would have.”
For Grayson, watching campers conquer unusual tasks, like a climbing wall, or bond over abnormal problems proves to the necessity Camp Rainbow is for child cancer patients.
“It’s really incredible,” she said. “This is my tenth year doing this, and my favorite memory was when we were at the pool and the girls were comparing port scars; they were trying to determine which surgeon is the best surgeon to get your scar from, and they had some debate on that … but they get to bond over something that most people their age don’t even understand.”
Longtime counselor Amanda Lord said she has been involved with Camp Rainbow since 2001, where she started volunteer training at 17 years old.
“My baby brother was diagnosed at the age of four and a half with leukemia and he fought the good fight until he turned seven, and I came to camp his last summer,” she said. “I saw how fulfilling it was and how much it impacted his attitude and everything; he loved camp, and from then on I just had to keep coming back.”
To Lord, the patients at Camp Rainbow serve as happy reminders of time spent with her brother, and she believes there is nothing more precious.
“I see him in every child that comes through here, and I know that if he were here he’d be doing all this too,” she said. “It’s like watching them grow up, and they become a part of your own family in a way … it means a whole lot. This week just allows them to feel normal.”
To get involved with Camp Rainbow or support their mission, contact Camp Director Kym Allen at (706) 721-5503 or at KEURY@augusta.edu
People may also send direct donations by mailing a check to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, located at 1446 Harper St., and writing “Camp Rainbow” on the memo line.
