Camp Cartwheel Post-Reflection
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Camp Cartwheel Post- Reflection Casey Walker
Discuss how your pre-reflection thoughts were different or the same as your actual experience.
Many of my pre-reflection thoughts were congruent with my experience at Camp Cartwheel, to my pleasant surprise. The ideation of having such a wonderful event put together for these medically fragile children to escape their diseases, disabilities, and troubles of their harsh lives was eloquently performed. The camp seemed to be a full world away and had its own culture and vibe to it that is much different from the in the city, much less the hospital. It was amazing that the kids were not identified as being ill and had no distinguishing factors that would make them stand out; they were free from their disease and the labels for the week. Furthermore, the kids were so open and welcoming to our activity, enjoyed it, and really got into it, which was better than my original expectations! I thought that this would be an experience that meant a lot to me and the only thing that differs from my original thoughts is the impact it had versus the impact I thought it would have. The experience was so much greater than I could’ve imagined and I am a lifetime fan, advocate, and volunteer for this organization.
Camp Cartwheel Post-Reflection
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Discuss a part of your camp experience that was an "aha" moment, an eye opener or a changing moment for you.
Although there were many of these “aha” moments throughout the day as new campers passed in and out of our activity “booth” there was one in particular that I hope I never forget. There was a little girl that was about 5 years old and slightly underweight. She was one of the most cheerful girls I came in contact with throughout the day. She was so excited to decorate her t-shirt and eagerly asked for the assistance of her camp counselors to help her pick the best stencils and markers for her special shirt. The counselors were talking to us about her disease, a life-threatening one that I hadn’t heard of and is extremely rare. They talked about how she has changed her camp name 3 times from the beginning of camp so they are having a hard time tracking down all of her things since they are different names on all of her crafts. It was so endearing how throughout her time with us that she switched her camp name again from ‘Sunshine’ to ‘Happy Rainbow’ and back again and without skipping a beat the counselors adapted. They instantly called her by whatever name she wrote on her shirt or what she introduced herself as to us, even though they were different names. It made her smile the biggest smile to have this simple wish be granted so effortlessly and instantaneously. Her smile was my “aha” moment and symbolizes the greatness of this organization and event; it is about making these kids truly, genuinely happy. It was so
Camp Cartwheel Post-Reflection
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heartwarming to see that an organization’s idealistic goals were met. It was beautiful.
What are your final thoughts about this experience?
This experience is something that I have already, and will continue, to tell my friends and family about! In addition, it is something that I have plans to continue my participation in and hopefully get more involved with. I still believe in this event and will encourage all of my family and friends to apply to be volunteers for it next year. It was a great experience that I want to share with others and be a part of enhancing in the years to come. In addition, I think it is such a neat assignment to get to work as a group to come up with a fun activity for the children to engage in! Overall, it was fabulous and fun!