Monday, July 23, 2012

A Very Special Summer Camp - The Treasure of Life

Some of my fondest summertime memories are those of days at camp.  The thought of an entire week away from home was both exciting and scary. 
Little did I know that time spent with friends, enjoying wonderful camp activities, would also serve to teach me responsibility, leadership and yes, even entrepreneurship!  
Did you attend camp when you were younger? 
What are some of your favorite summer camp memories?
I want to take time to introduce our blog community to a specific camp that is dear to me.  Dear to me because several of our Laurieanna’s staff volunteer there each summer.  Dear to me because of the amazing work this specialty camp does with kids.  And, because I know your amazing spirit, I believe it will become dear to you too!
Camp El Tesoro De La Vida, spanish for "the treasure of life", is a week-long grief recovery camp for kids ages 6 – 17 who have suffered the death of a loved one----a father, a mother, a sibling.
Kids spend the week doing all of those fun things we did at camp (horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, etc.), plus they participate in structured group counseling sessions led by licensed therapists.
El Tesoro De La Vida is celebrating its 25th year this summer.  Since words are just not adequate to describe the amazing impact this camp has on kids, watch the video below to see and hear about it from campers and volunteers.  It's an amazingly touching video, so be sure to keep some tissue handy.
Did you recognize Denis in the video?  This summer marks his 20th year as a De La Vida volunteer, and his 17th as the Volunteer Camp Director. 
Our own Tracy and Debbie serve in volunteer leadership roles as well.  Denis, Tracy and Debbie, all in the photo above, leave for camp this Friday, July 27. 
Please join me in wishing them a successful week ahead and thank them for taking a week out of their busy schedules to make a difference in a child's life.
And to also extend a Happy 25th Anniversary to Camp El Tesoro De La Vida! 

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

LaurieAnna,
What a special blessing for those kids! I understand how it is near and dear to your heart.
I never went to camp as a child, unless you count camping with Girl Scouts, and we always ended up in rain or worse, like Hurricane Agnes in '72.
And day VBS, which was great.
Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

How lucky all of those children are..I never myself went to camp but it looks like a lot of fun..

" SHABBY JUNK" said...

Well u were right about the tissue thing. What an amazing place for children. My mother died of cancer when I was 28,it was devastating. To a child their whole world is gone.

Stephanie said...

I just love Denis and have heard him talk about his camp experiences before - such a wonderful and needed camp! Hats off to the volunteers - have an AWESOME week!!

A China Cupcake said...

There is a very dark comedy about summer camp in the movies right now . There is alot of that fifties iconography . Old record player , blue eye shadow
On the camper . Camp was always so much fun thank you for sharing it brought back those memories .

A China Cupcake said...

There is a very dark comedy about summer camp in the movies right now . There is alot of that fifties iconography . Old record player , blue eye shadow
On the camper . Camp was always so much fun thank you for sharing it brought back those memories .

Cathy and Paul @One Creative Couple said...

What a fantastic thing for your staff to be involved in. I will be praying that they have a good, blessed, fulfilling week.

THE FARMHOUSE PORCH said...

Oh my gosh!
I worked at El Tesoro one summer as a camp counselor in college. What a wonderful experience, it is a magical place! Back then they also offered weeks where inner city kids could come stay for free and escape the "concrete jungle" of urban living. Hikes, fresh air, horseback riding, campfire cooking and learning self reliance. I need to go visit again, it is very near my mom's house. Thanks for sharing...

♥Linsey

Indiana limestone said...

I attended many summer camps when I was young and your post reminded me them. This is really something special summer camp, amazing place for children. You reminded me old memories.

- Herman Swan