Craftsmen Park in the News
Written By
Letting Kids
with Cancer be Kids’ at Camp Quality
More than 10,000 kids a year are diagnosed with cancer. Their entire lives
are consumed with doctors’ offices, chemotherapy, blood counts and surgeries.
They feel different from other kids.
In some cases, they may look different because they have lost their hair. Some
of them are teased by kids who do not understand their disease.
Living with cancer as a kid is tough, but Camp Quality offers them an atmosphere
that takes them away from all that. “We can’t add to the quantity of life, but
we can add to the quality of a child’s life,” co-director Kerri Franks stated.
“Letting Kids with Cancer be Kids” is the motto “Everyone is included at Camp
Quality,” volunteer, Abby Cross, stated. “Cancer is a serious disease, and some
have disabilities. They are all included. No one is discriminated against.”
A 14-year-old cancer victim stated, “I love coming to camp because back at home
everyone made fun of me because I was bald. I had radiation, and I lost all my
hair. This was something I could do that made me feel better about myself
because there were kids that were just like me.”
Last year, there were 72 campers at Craftsman Park in the City of New Franklin.
Campers consist of boys and girls whose lives have been affected by cancer.
Campers with cancer range in age from four to 18. Camp Quality Ohio is the only
Camp Quality, out of 14 in the nation, that also allows siblings of cancer
patients to attend. Every child attends the camp completely free. Medical staff
is available at all times.
The children enjoy swimming, karaoke, fishing, crafts, games, music, horses,
dancing, prom, hot air balloons, canoeing and many more activities.
Camp Quality is currently looking for volunteers to come along side a child
whose life has been impacted by this horrible disease. Anyone who is loving and
caring who would love to help a child with cancer live their life to the
fullest, plan on putting the week of July 8-14 aside. Training will be June 9.
For more information, please call Carol Cross at 330-819-4578 or 800-421-9927.
Email is coquina@aol.com. You can also visit
www.campqualityohio.org
for information.
If your child has been affected by this disease and you would like to enroll
them at the camp, send the child’s name, age, address and home phone number to
the Camp Quality Ohio Camper registrar. You need to fill out a registration
packet and include a physician’s release. There is no cost for the children.
Camp Quality is a non-profit organization that is funded strictly through
donations. If you would like to donate, all gifts are appreciated. One hundred
percent of the money directly benefits the children at the camp.
Volunteers stay in contact with their camper throughout the year. Camp Quality
has many activities throughout the year to help the children experience life.
They have reunions, Superkids Derby race at Derby Downs; they have many family
overnighters, laser tag events, ski weekends and many, many more activities and
events.
Help a child with cancer. You can become a one-on-one companion. You can assist
in the camp activities. You can help teach at a sports clinic or help with
crafts. You can donate materials or food. You an also help by serving on the
Camp Organizing Committee, which meets monthly. Camp Quality speakers are
available to speak at your local business or event.
Camp Quality’s direct number is 330-628-9790 or 866-364-1258.