Summer program caters to critically ill campers, siblings
It is a warm July day at Camp Cartwheel. Some children are laughing and splashing at a lake, while others are rock climbing or learning how to scuba dive. These campers are all smiles as they talk excitedly about the activities that are planned for the day, but this is not your typical summer camp.
Now in its 18th year, Camp Cartwheel provides critically ill children and their siblings between the ages of 5 and 17 with a free, fun and carefree experience.
"I love it here," said camper Rubi Vega, 16. "It's a place where we can be ourselves and chill and relax and leave our problems at home. It's the first place I really felt free after being diagnosed with (hepatoblastoma). When I was first diagnosed, I didn't understand much because I was still a little kid. It made me mature faster because I learned that the world is not as fun as it looks."
The camp at Torino Ranch in Lovell Canyon — located about an hour west of Las Vegas — offers youths an oasis filled with green trees, a lake and gourmet food with vegan and gluten-free choices.
This year's theme had a "Jurassic Park" element to it with a "Land Before Time."
Cabins are filled with dinosaur balloons, prehistoric footprints and dinosaur egg decorations.
The camp is funded through the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit whose goal is to improve the quality of life for critically ill children and their families living in the community.
Camp director Geoffrey Lavell was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic, a form of leukemia, in 1997.
"We get four days with these kids. These are four days that the parents trust us with and they don't get back," Lavell said. "Our goal is to make this the best summer of their lives, so that they can forget about all of the hospital trips, the spinal taps and all of those other painful procedures. It’s a labor of love."
The camp gives youths an opportunity to go swimming or canoeing at the lake, play games, learn to scuba dive, make crafts and go rock climbing.
"During these four days, they get to act like a normal kid," said Stephanie Parker, vice president of marketing and development at the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. "Whether they have no hair, they're missing a limb or they're blind, no one looks at them any differently here."
Children 5 to 9 take a bus to the camp Wednesday through Saturday, and youths 10 to 17 stay overnight.
There are two weeklong sessions to accommodate 200 youths.
Jeff Gordon, president and CEO of the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, has taken it upon himself to pick up children who cannot be dropped off at the bus station each morning during the camp session.
"A lot of families plan their summers around the camp," said volunteer Sherry Drewes. "Some kids say camp is better than Disneyland. That's how much they love it."
To keep children safe, the camp is medically supervised by two University Medical Center trauma nurses 24 hours a day, and a doctor is present during the daytime.
Youths were also able to hang out with lemurs that were brought by the nonprofit Roos-n-More in Moapa.
Approximately 20 percent to 25 percent of the 180 volunteers are cancer survivors, and many others come from the National Guard and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Parker said
Gordon said, every year, the camp brings back many faithful volunteers.
"One time, a Metro officer was asked why he volunteers at camp and he said, 'I see the darker side of life. Volunteering here helps me wash the mud from my soul,' " Gordon said. "I think that's what camp does for a lot of people."
At the activities tent, children were busy making tutus, tie-dye shirts and dinosaur hats. There, youths had a chance to contribute to a few paintings that are set to be featured at the nonprofit's 22nd annual Profiles of Courage Gala, planned for Nov. 21.
Cynthia Compson, who is in charge of the paintings, is the mother of a teenage leukemia survivor.
"The camp lets children let go of their worries," Compson said. "Kids are free to be themselves."
Youths also had a chance to go shopping for free and take blankets, flip-flops and toys.
"Every activity was created so that any child can participate, no matter what (disability) they have," Parker said.
Tammy Richardson volunteers at the camp's store. The mom of seven lost her oldest child, a 17-year-old daughter, to a brain tumor in 2003.
"Once someone gets diagnosed with cancer in the family, there is no 'normal' again," Richardson said. "These kids don't get to go to YMCA camp. This is where we fit in. This is where I can tell kids that everything will be OK and pay it forward to my daughter."
Those who stay overnight have a chance to make s'mores, join a dance party and see the rings of Saturn through a telescope.
In addition, the nonprofit offers social, emotional, educational and psychological support services and programs to families of all children diagnosed with life-threatening or critical illnesses, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell, hemophilia, renal disorders and immunologic diseases.
"Over 50 percent of the families we serve are in a financial crisis prior to their children's diagnosis," Parker said. "We try to help in any way we can through gas and gift cards and food pantries. We want to take the additional stress off of the family so that they can focus on their child."
Other services include direct, bedside and classroom instruction for students and healing arts and wellness programs for adults with cancer.
At the end of July, campers are invited to a family picnic to say their goodbyes for the summer and to receive a 30-page camp yearbook.
As Gordon recalled one of his many favorite memories at camp, tears began falling from his eyes.
"This is what kids look forward to. This is what kids will themselves to live for," Gordon said. "It's more than just camp. This is where special memories are formed."
Call 702-735-8434 or visit nvccf.org.
— To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.
