Camp 2011

Welcome back!  For those who are new to this blog, welcome! Please feel free to read though past posts... we are a family blessed with two natural children (Caleb - 8 & Joshua - 4) who happen to have Down syndrome.  This is my attempt to encourage other families facing the challenges of DS and educate those who are "on the outside looking in"!

Back in January I started looking into summer fun... call it tiered of cold, call it "planning", call it crazy... all apply....

Years before Caleb was even born a St. Louis pro-football player (Kurt Warner) was invited to be a "celebrity" on a game show (I am so bad at trivia I don't even remember what game show it was... oops).  Well, he won! The charity that Warner was playing for was a Christian camp for children with "special" issues - Camp Barnabas!  I thought, "Wow, that is so neat that he's helping THOSE kids..."  Not knowing we would be blessed with some of THOSE kids! (all I can do is smile and laugh now!)

So in January I started looking into this Camp Barnabas... only to find that there was just one session with any availability left!  A bit shocked, I emailed the contact person... her response... "if you at all think you want to send Caleb to camp you need to register today!  If you wait any longer there won't be a slot..."  Despite some questions I went ahead and filled out the application... the VERY detailed application.... "Ok... they have thought of everything.... that is comforting..."  Still a little unsure I called the office a few days later... that is when I learned that every camper (with issues) has a one-on-one volunteer who will be within an arm's length from their camper at all times... "Ok... ok... that sounds good too... I can let Caleb stay 5 nights at camp... Can't I?... I think I can..."

August 1st finally rolled around and we (my Mom, Joshua & I) were taking Caleb to camp!  All of Caleb's belongings (shoes to underwear, toothbrush to swimming trunks, camera to sleeping bag) were labeled and packed... paper work filled out... medications in a large zip lock bag... gas in the van... cell phone charged... "official" directions in hand... we where on our way to Camp Barnabas!  Five hours later we were pulling off the interstate...

Waiting for gates to open!

We arrived almost 45 minuets early.  So, we decided to just see where the gate was and then "drive around a bit" to kill some time... Well... the line was already 15-20 cars long!  So, we joined the line... excitement was in the air... a few girls reunited and were hugging, laughing, and singing.  They quickly got Caleb and Joshua to join the fun... parents were smiling and talking... the line of cars was never ending...  The time had come... the gates opened!

New Medical Building

The organization of the first day was beyond amazing!  Not to mention the facilities were top notch!  We were greeted by Mr. Teas (co-founder).  He put a name tag on Caleb's back and a star in our window (witch indicated Caleb was a first-year camper)... as we drove in a lady saw the star and hopped in the van with us... she told us how the process would work and that she would help walk us though it... At the drop-off spot a swarm of young people unloaded the van and helped Caleb get out... soon we were walking down the hill into the "welcome zone"... some where in there Caleb's "buddy" found us... This massive crowd yelled and cheered as each camper was announced!  Caleb does NOT like loud noises, so he covered his ears... someone in the crowd yelled, "Happy hands!" Just like that the crowd went dead quiet but their enthusiasm did not miss a beat... It was like someone hit the mute button on this massive group of people! 

Caleb & Jonny

Caleb was ushered to his cabin while I checked in his medication... the organization of this process was astounding.  For every three cabins there were at least 3 medical personnel. They went though all of Caleb's meds and made notes of how and when each should be given... then I was off to say good-by to Caleb... He was waiting in cabin B2 with his "buddy" Jonny.  I was greeted with a, "Hi, Mrs. Caines. I am Jonny."  (Wow!... a young person using Mrs. ... come on that is impressive in it's self!)  We talked for some time... Jonny even pulled out a paper with a list of questions!  I soon learned that Jonny is a runner (SCORE!), because Caleb is a "runner" too (just normally not in the right directions)!  I finally said, "Caleb, I love you!"  And I left...

Caleb & Jonny swimming!

Yes, of course I cried... no, no, no... not sad tears. In fact, it was quite the opposite! I cried tears of "praise"... tears that only come when you are SO blessed there's simply nothing else to do... All of these people (hundreds of people) were volunteering their time to make camp possible for my child... for my Caleb!  I left knowing Caleb would be just fine... I left knowing that there are many, many years of memories to be made here by my boys... I left knowing that God had placed this dream in the hearts of so many people... I left knowing that His hand was upon this place... I left knowing the only fear I had was that Caleb would not want to leave! (a very true prediction!)

Caleb on a trail ride!

As we drove away, I turned to my Mom and said, "I feel like I just dropped Caleb off at the rich kid camp!"  We laughed and drove off in total & complete amazement of the this place called Camp Barnabas!

Now, over a month later... Caleb is registered for Camp Barnabas 2012!  Every time we mention camp Caleb says "YES!" or "That's right!" or "Swimming!" (his favorite activity at camp) 
Please check this camp out (for your kid... to help send a kid... to volunteer... or just to be snoop...) http://www.campbarnabas.org/

Lord, thank you for Paul and Cyndi Teas who followed Your calling... the calling to have a camp where "being different is normal.." Thank you for people like Jonny who gave up a week of their summer to make Camp Barnabas possible!  Lord, I am so blessed to see Caleb excited about Camp Barnabas.  I am simply amazed at Your camp and Your people there!