This year Camp Quality Illinois celebrates their 20th year of supporting children with cancer. Tonight I had the privileged of attending the 20th Reunion at CD&ME in Frankfort, Illinois. For those unfamiliar with Camp Quality, below is the
description (in red font) given on the Camp Quality Illinois website.
My involvement with Camp Quality began as an opportunity to stay involved in the life of Jordan, my kindergarten student whom I home-schooled while she received her cancer treatment during the 2004-2005 school year. To learn more about Jordan and our friendship, you can read the following post, Celebrate Life and Celebration of Life Update.
Camp Quality is much more than a week of camp. It is a support network for children and families alike that can walk together during dark days and can celebrate moments and milestones together. I am so grateful for the six years I was able to volunteer as Jordan's companion and for the lifelong friendships I have created. While I am unable to volunteer a week of my time in this season of life, I will always be a strong advocate for their mission and goals and support them with my talents, money and what time I can give!
Continue to scroll down past the description of Camp Quality to see my photos from the evening of celebration!
What is Camp Quality?
My involvement with Camp Quality began as an opportunity to stay involved in the life of Jordan, my kindergarten student whom I home-schooled while she received her cancer treatment during the 2004-2005 school year. To learn more about Jordan and our friendship, you can read the following post, Celebrate Life and Celebration of Life Update.
Camp Quality is much more than a week of camp. It is a support network for children and families alike that can walk together during dark days and can celebrate moments and milestones together. I am so grateful for the six years I was able to volunteer as Jordan's companion and for the lifelong friendships I have created. While I am unable to volunteer a week of my time in this season of life, I will always be a strong advocate for their mission and goals and support them with my talents, money and what time I can give!
Continue to scroll down past the description of Camp Quality to see my photos from the evening of celebration!
What is Camp Quality?
With a Dose of Smile Therapy. . .
Camp Quality is a summer camping experience and year-round support
program for children with cancer. Many difficult physical and emotional
challenges face a child, and his or her family, when battling cancer. At
our summer camps we have developed an important type of “therapy” . . .
we like to call it Smile Therapy! With a laugh in their hearts and
smiles on their faces, Camp Q. Kids find themselves capable of more than
they may have dreamed possible.
We Laugh, Love, Lift-up...
Camp Quality has built its reputation on personalized care. Every camper is paired with a companion who is dedicated completely to his or her care. Companions are the life-blood of Camp Q; they are fun to be with, adventuresome, great listeners and are always sharing their love for life. Their primary responsibility is to make sure their camper has the most enjoyable, safe, relaxing and restoring experience possible. This relationship creates a beautiful bond that continues long after camp is over, and oftentimes for years to come.
Normal Kids with Extraordinary Lives . . .
Surrounded by new friends that can relate, loving volunteers who care, and loads of fun experiences, Camp Quality campers find joy, new courage and renewed hope for the future. They are free to be themselves . . . free to be kids again.
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| Ashley and Jordan Best friends since meeting in the hospital |
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| Ashley is a walking miracle who has overcome every challenge and statistic given to her. Jordan is now considered cured as she has been out of treatment for over five years. |
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| Two of my everyday heroes. Love their smiles, determination and desire to live life dancing in the rain! |
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| Faye and Jordan Friendship, mentor-ship, fun and feisty! |
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| Faye, Jordan & Emily |
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| I am so thankful for Emily who pinky promised if the time came and I could not be Jordan's companion that she would take on the role. She made good on her promise and has been involved with Camp Quality for four years now as Jordan's companion. |
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| Camp Quality Illinois Director, Mary Lockton, addressing the crowd. |
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| Lexi and Me Alexis was in my kindergarten class the same year that I home-schooled Jordan while receiving treatment. Their families know each other through their experience at Hope Hospital. |
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| Jordan, Faye, Lexi What beautiful young ladies Jordan and Lexi have grown into. So proud! |
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| To recognize, honor and celebrate the lives of Camp Quality members who have gone before us, there was a special lantern lighting. It was a beautiful tribute. |
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| Jordan and Matt Rusler |
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| Oh, Peggy! If you have ever attended a CQ event, you know Peggy! |
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| Dancing & Celebrating Bev and Monica are part of the COC "red shirts" |
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| Jordan dancing with a BOY! |
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| Erica Erica and I met as companions my second year of CQ I am thankful we were able to experience all the camp fun and craziness together! Erica just joined the CQ COC. Congratulations, Erica! |
A special shout-out to my in-laws who came to Michigan to watch our little love so I could attend the Camp Quality 20th Reunion. I am always thankful when I can support a case near and dear to my heart! Thank you also to the Pickering's for your hospitality.
Until next time...
Enjoy the moment. Cherish the memories. Give thanks. {Written by Faye 2014}
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