This is my first morning since this past Monday that I will not be hearing “Good Morning Campers!”
I cam home yesterday from my week at Camp Benedict, a camp for adults, children, and families dealing with AIDS. Camp Benedict is in the bar just underneath my blog header year around. If you click on that link, it will tell you my background story and connections to the camp. This year was my second year at camp and I didn’t think I could be even more impressed on than last year…. but I was. This week for the Saturday Snapshot (check out Saturday Snapshot at Alyce’s At Home With Books) , I am going to share with you a few pictures from this weeks camp experience:
The camp brings in people from around the state (occasionally beyond) for a week of connecting, sharing, and education. My friend Connie who organizes the camp offers this week to the campers for free. You read that right. She does not want the cost to be a burden to anyone so the money we raise at the spring benefit dinner and then the summer CCB ride, all goes to support the camp and pay for the week. And… it is a nice week.
The camp is beautiful – right on the lake with education each morning and evening, and afternoon free time activities like horse back riding, swimming, pontoon rides, tubing, and more.
On Tuesday morning we were all lead in a group exercise session using the ball. This was a lot of fun and it was exciting to see everyone give it a try. Some of the moves were basic stretches and some more advanced. We ended the session with a time of meditation, relaxing laying back and reflecting. Many people mentioned how much they enjoyed this. I personally love working out on the ball and I picked up a few new tips to try at home.
Before every meal we are led by Camp Staff (and occasionally a few bonus people) in a prayer. The prayers are always set to a theme song… this one is said to the Superman tune. 😀
The education classes are wonderful, a speaker came in and talked to us about stigma, an emotional talk where people could share their stories. We also had a repeat speaker, Bill, who does a wonderful job of sharing the latest information on medication, up and coming information, and the importance of being consistent on the meds. Another speaker spoke on the companies that can assist you with getting the medication you need, and yet another doctor was there to answer any questions. There may….. have been a few camp pranks played….. I am not at liberty to say. 😉
It is always a roller coaster of emotions during the week. Some moments are sad, and other time we are laughing and on a pontoon on our way to get ice cream at the Dairy Queen. It is definitely a week I will reflect on throughout the year. Some of the people have been there before, and some are new… and for the new ones, it is amazing to watch them blossom throughout the week as they feel the acceptance of the camp and make connections to keep themselves healthy and to new friends as well. In the past two years that I have went to this camp I have left with old friendships being stronger, and new ones being developed.
Mid week we have a tailgate party where people who live around the lake and the camp come and grill for us. Our weather this week was perfect!
Of course… the final day is bitter-sweet. It is always hard to say good-bye hoping you will see people next year. The people who go to camp are amazing people. If you want to know more about this amazing camp, please check out the website here: Camp Benedict.org and my original connection to the camp is posted here: My connection to Camp Benedict.
Today hubby and I are heading to the Minnesota State Fair. We have not been there in years so this should be an experience. 😀
Book Journey 
This is just one more awesome thing you do. That ball and meditation looks very inviting to me right now.
Kathy I love working out on the ball – the stretches are so good! I wish I had time today to do it. The man who taught us the moves also teaches a class in town here, I plan to start attending that one as soon as summer slows down. 😀
What a wonderful camp and a lovely place in which to share these moments. I am sure you will feel the connections you made there…for a long time.
I do Laurel…I have made some life long friends. 🙂
great experience and this looks like an amazing camp for the attendees, rewarding.
Enjoy the state fair! It’s always fun, the people watching, the food, the booths… it’s the best state fair. I used to show horses there as a young girl so I have spent many hours/days in those stables! 🙂
I hope its fun Mari, I am not really a big fan but Al wants to go so I plaster a smile on my face and off I go! LOL…. what an attitude I have! 😛
Sheila – thank you so much for all that you do. I lost a DIL to AIDS (she had an emergency blood transfusion in the 80s) 17 years ago. I know she is smiling down on you and all those involved with the camp. HUGS.
Enjoy the fair and have some cheesecurds and a beer for me. 🙂
Karen I enjoy the camp so much and all it is about.
Mmmmm….. cheesecurds 😛
What an awesome thing that you do. It is an experience that stays with you forever. Have a great weekend.
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
Its something I really enjoy and yes, it is an impact on my life in a positive way. 🙂
Sounds like a great camp for a great cause! Thanks for sharing it!
I love to share about the great camp!
I clicked over and read your story…Did you finish Connie’s story? I would love to read it!
We are getting close Kim, I took part of it to New York with me this last June.
Well, Please make sure and let us all know so that we can all read it:) I am sure that it will be worth the effort!
Thanks Kim, it is an exciting and scary time. 🙂
Lovely tour of your week at camp. sounds like fun.
Thanks Barbara!
Sounds like an excellent cap… What a generous and lovely thing to do 🙂
Thanks 🙂
What a fun week! Enjoy the State Fair 🙂
We did Trish… we only go about once every ten years..:D
This camp sounds wonderful! It’s amazing how just a few people can make a difference.
Ashley @ Dr. Pepper Diva
They are amazing people Ashley.
It’s great to see that you had another wonderful experience there this year!
I did… I think even more so this year. I knew more people and I knew more what I was doing 😀
Sounds like you had a fun time, in the most beautiful surroundings. My Saturday Snapshot is very brief this week but it’s sad – a site where lepers once lived http://goo.gl/TkmQ7
Wow Christine, that does sound sad.
You are doing a great work. “It is definitely a week I will reflect on throughout the year. ”
Any contribution you do makes a lot of difference in their lives.
And in my life Edgar…. I have built a lot of friendships 😀
Not only is the camp a wonderful idea, but it’s held in such a beautiful place. So glad your weather was perfect and everyone had a great week.
The weather cooperated nicely 😀
Glad you had a great time! A lovely spot for a camp.
Here’s my Snapshot.
It is a beautiful spot Bev – another of those areas of Minnesota that take my breath away.
Free? That is an awesome thing to do! I’m glad that it sounds like such a time of healing and connecting for everyone.
I have loathed the exercise ball in my time, but I am slowly making my peace with it in the new Pilates class I am taking. My abs cringed when I saw the first picture!
Jen there is so much more you can do with the ball now than what was originally shown in those old classes. 😀
Amazing! What a great week for everyone involved!!
That it was Staci – I wish it wasn’t only once a year.
Sounds like a wonderful camp and I’m sure you always feel good about participating and giving your time to such a worthy cause.