Now, For Something Totally Different!
This week’s entry is going to be a little out of the ordinary for me. No home maintenance tips, safety lectures or inspection talk at all. I want to talk about an experience I had last week that I will never forget.
This past week I put everything on hold for six whole days. I skipped a meeting for my network group, logged off Facebook (that was tough), turned the email auto responder on, and didn’t perform any home inspections for the entire week. I packed my bags and left my family behind. What would make me do such a crazy thing? Sit back and enjoy while I tell you about it.
Horizon Camp 2010
I just completed one of the most gratifying weeks of my life. I volunteered as a camp counselor at Horizon Summer Camp. The Association of Horizon, Inc. offers a week long summer camp experience where adults with physical disabilities team up, usually one on one, with able-bodied volunteers for a week of recreation, learning and fun. The camp is held annually at Timber Point Outdoor Center on Lake Bloomington in Hudson, Illinois.
This was my first time volunteering at Horizon camp. I have volunteered at numerous Muscular Dystrophy camps over the past 13 years, but wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I arrived on Sunday. After a 2 ½ hour drive I finally arrived at camp. Woo Hoo! Here we go! No turning back now!
Why was I so nervous? I’ve done this so many times. But I still had all these questions going through my mind. What was my camper going to be like? Were we going to get along? Could I handle working with somebody who had a disability different than what I was used to dealing with?
Kevin & Dave - 2010
Then I met my camper. As I introduced myself to Kevin, I knew everything was going to be OK. He has a smile that will melt your heart. Kevin has Cerebral Palsy and even though he only speaks a few words, we are able to communicate by me asking yes or no questions which Kevin would answer with a Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down. I’m not going to say we didn’t have our challenges, but with a little patience (on both sides) we were able to make it through the week and have a great time! Kevin – You ROCK! I am already looking forward to and making plans for next year’s camp.
This year marked the 19th anniversary of summer camp sponsored by the Association of Horizon. This year’s camp was the largest group to date with nearly 100 campers and 120 volunteers & staff. It takes a lot of hard work, coordination and fund raising to make a camp like this happen year after year. If you are interested in learning more about the Association of Horizon, Inc., the summer camp program, or how you can get involved, click HERE, or call me. You won’t regret it!
To see my photo albums from camp on Facebook click the following links. Album 1 - Album 2
Thanks for reading!
David Novalinski Sr.
About Your Home Inspection, Inc.
847 669 9040
Jim
July 28th, 2010 at 8:00 am #
Great blog about camp Dave! I could not agree more on the experience. It was a great week! I think we all go in to a new experience with some concern and uncertainty, but over and over again it turns out to be unfounded. Horizon Camp was a great experience, and the organization is outstanding. Anyone interested in volunteering, or supporting the organization should visit their website for more details. They are certainly worthy of your consideration and support!
David
July 28th, 2010 at 8:49 am #
Thanks Jim! I agree with you 100%. Horizon Camp was a great experience and I am looking forward to attending next year!