Camp Sunshine is a Ray of Hope!

Earlier this month, our family went to Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine. We had a wonderful time and hope to keep in touch with some of the volunteers and other families we met. Camp Sunshine provides a year-round camp adventure for children with life-threatening illnesses and their immediate families. Activities included swimming, arts and crafts, fishing, kayaking, etc. A volunteer photographer attended and took over 900 pictures. Here's Vanessa working on her coffee filter flower in the arts and crafts room!

The adults were separated and teamed up. That's me with masking tape on my nose. The object was to rub noses with our team members until one person had all the tape. I was the winner of my team, thus all the tape! Unfortunately, my winning streak was short lived. I went against the other teams' winners and lost. I guess my nose just wasn't strong enough for the competition.

Al's team "Monkey's" won the competition and a "love cup" trophy. Here's Al (front) on one of the competitions.

Vanessa entered the Talent Show and was the best Hula Hooper of the night! We are so proud of her, it is almost impossible to tell that she was taking daily chemotherapy and that she has a leg imbalance (walks on her tip toe). I cried my eyes out that night, I was so proud and so thankful to be in a room with families who understood the ache in my heart.

The kids' favorite activity was the fishing trip with the bass fishermen. We have polaroid pictures of the kids with their fish. NOTE: No animals were harmed, the fish were placed back in the lake. Here's Brandon with a volunteer trying out archery.

Although it rained almost every day that we were at Camp, we were still able to enjoy many activities. The children created "wish boats" that were supposed to be launched into the lake. However, due to the rain, the wish boats were launched and lit in the auditorium. We all took a few moments to reflect and make wishes. Again, I cried...alot! I made two wishes. I wished for a cure, so that no more children succumb to cancer; and I wished for the opportunity to return to Camp Sunshine with my healthy, happy daughter Vanessa. The candles were blown out and we have Brandon and Vanessa's wishboats saved not too far from the Love Cup trophy!