Dyskeratosis Congenita Outreach, Inc.
May you never be alone ...
The board would like to take this space to thank everyone who attended our Camp Sunshine weekend as well as all the volunteers there who helped make this first "family conference" so incredibly special.  It is really dificult to put into words what a magical place the Camp really is and what an amazing experience it was for those of us who attended.  From the moment we walked through the doors, greeted by mascots "Chip" and "Sandy" (sorry if I got those names wrong), we felt so accepted, nutured and lovingly cared for. 
I know I am speaking for many when I say that our experience far surpassed our expectations.  The doctors' presentations were informative and well received.  Nancy's sessions were emotional but helped us bond and made us feel like an instant family.  While some of us groaned when it was time to play the "Super Duper Blooper Games,"  all of us competed actively, hoping to win the ultimate prize -- the "loving cup" to call our own.  The games were great tension relievers, and again, brought us together as teams working (or should I say playing) toward a common goal.  While the adults were busy with all these sessions, we could relax and focus knowing that our children were being taken care of by the many volunteers on site.  Everywhere we looked there were yellow shirts -- the color of the volunteers -- and they seemed to anticipate our every need.  If a child was cranky and wouldn't nap in the tot room, her volunteer would take her to the bedroom and stay there with her so she could rest quietly.  If we needed anything printed, voila! it was done almost before we could ask. The children were kept busy and happy the entire day and even into the evenings.  I think almost all of them were extremely sad to leave -- I definitely saw tears from more than one of them when it was time to go.
These were not just any run-of-the-mill volunteers, either.  These were college students who were giving up a weekend of partying and facing extra work to make up for classes they were missing.  This was a young man who worked in NYC but used vacation time to volunteer here several times a year.  A retired couple who come up over and over again to give their time and their love, and who were so touched that they even gave their financial support to a small, grassroots group like ours.  A retired school teacher whose love of helping children refuses to die.  These are just a few examples.
This board member has traveled the world and never expected to find such a piece of paradise so close to home.  I could go on and on, but instead I will just post some highlights of the weekend here and let you all remember what it was like; and for those of you who could not come, you can see what you missed, and perhaps start making plans for September 2012.
--Nancy Cornelius






Camp Sunshine recently made the news on the New England Sports Network (NESN July 20, 2010).  If you missed that piece you can read about it and also view the footage on the web at  http://www.nesn.com/2010/07/camp-sunshine-giving-support-for-sick-children-and-their-families-.html

Arriving at Camp!Hangin' out in the "teen room." Boy were those bean bags comfy.Working (or playing) together to solve a challenge.Enjoying the indoor pool!Miniature golf is available as is frisbee golf.In the arts and crafts room.Archery!Was that a bulls' eye?A friendly game of pool.The "Sol" Survivors perform their winning chant.The adults start to loosen up with the "Super Dooper Blooper" games.By the end of the weekend we all knew all the lyrics and moves to "Hands Up." A great song!The talent show begins!Even the adults try their hand at performing, with some outstanding results.Everyone was lulled into a nice state of relaxtion by Robin's rendition of "Goodnight Moon."After the talent show the masquerade party began and even the doctors dressed up!Who is that creepy family? Oh yeah, that would be mine. More competition amongst the adults as the "SDB" games continued the next day.Getting a golf ball across the room proved to be no easy task!The docs had a question and answer period but were always available, at meals, at playtime, whenever you needed to talk or ask a question.The lauching of the wishboats. Not a great photo but a really beautiful event as well as a really emotional one.The beginning of "Closing Ceremonies."All the kids performed skits of some sort.Volunteer Glen debuts his original "Camp Sunshine" number.While Ryan had a little mishap dancing the night before, it didn't prevent him fom participating as much as possible--even in his wheelchair!The kids are wonderful members of the audience when not performing.Nancy, Randy and Robin--three adult DC patients. There is life after and with DC!
Please click on each thumbnail and it will enlarge on the page and you will be able to scroll through all the photos.  (these are just portions of each picture)  Enjoy!-- You can see that we did.
"Camp is inspiring, comforting, hopeful and lets you be part of a community--a family of people just like you."
"I didn't know what to expect coming here but it was the best thing that happened to us.  A new child we rarely see appeared--he arrived depressed and ended up having the time of his life."  --Shirley Messier
"This was a gift.  Thank you."
"The Camp was wonderful.  It was well worth the money spent and the time off work.  It was a unique experience to have the different doctors in one place instead of having to see them in their different locations.  We got to go to camp!"--Jen Cornelius
"No matter what your age, there is something at camp for everyone.  It didn't matter if you were the patient, if you were a child or an adult, if you were affected with the disease or if you were the sibling of someone affected with the disease, everyone was treated equally and everyone had an amazing time.  Many of us wished we had longer than three days."
"The whole camp experience is like a big warm blanket wrapped around the entire family & it gives you the strength to continue on in your life after you leave."