Camp K Crafts Confidence for Campers

NF Camp has become a part of Katie Oslica’s summer traditions. “Camp means so much to me,” said Katie Oslica, of Bigelow, Ark. “It has shown me that I’m not alone in this journey and has helped me make many new friends who are going through the same thing as me.”

Camp Kostopoulos, located in Emigration Canyon, Utah, just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City Airport, will host the NF Summer Camp for the 14^th year.  In 2010 there will be two sessions to choose from: Saturday, July 17 – Friday, July 23 and Saturday, July 24 – Friday, July 30. Each session generally has about 35 campers said Patrice Pancza, the Foundation’s Camp coordinator.

Camp activities include swimming, horseback riding, campfires, a rope course, climbing wall, canoeing and fishing.   The offsite activities, including a day at the water park, movie night, and other fun outings, are some of Katie’s favorite things to do.

Katie’s mom Lesley wasn’t completely comfortable the first time Katie flew by herself, especially since Katie had a connecting flight. However, after Katie returned home the first time from camp, the smile on Katie’s  face and the excitement in her voice allayed any concerns. The first thing Katie said when she saw mom and dad? “We have to plan this for next year! This was the best week of my life.”

Since that first week of camp, Katie has become more self confident and less concerned about NF. “She talked about how great it was to be with other kids ‘like her,’” said Lesley. “She said it was like having a bunch of brothers and sisters around because they all know what it’s like to have NF; no one was bothered by bumps, café au laits, or any other side effects of having NF. So, they all just got to have fun for the whole week and not worry about NF.”

Some parents might be apprehensive to let their child get on a plane to attend camp for a week and that’s okay said Lesley. “We are their parents and that’s a natural response to our children being away for a week; however, I would also encourage parents to allow the child to that first time and let the child describe their experience.”

Counselors are carefully screened before being brought on as staff. “Once an applicant has been received, an interview is conducted and references checked to ensure the best possible staff for the Kostopulos Dream Foundation are being hired,” said Mircea Divricean, of the Kostopulos Dream Foundation. The counselors also attend a ten day training session where they receive first aid and CPR certification, SOAR training, food handler’s certification, OSHA certification, emergency procedures training, and behavioral issues training.

Through the generous support of our donors, scholarships are available to any child with NF needing financial aid in order to attend.  We offer full tuition scholarships, and in cases of particular hardship, we can provide travel assistance as well.  Attendance is limited, but if space is available, no child will be denied participation for financial reasons.

The camp experience helps participants become independent and furthers their ability to interact socially with others who have similar life experiences. “NF Camp has been one of the greatest blessings after the hardship of learning about NF for the first time,” said Lesley.  “A hidden treasure along the journey of life with NF!”