AMAZING: VARIETY - The Children’s Charity

Staying in the AMAZING for our blogs is easy when we are surrounded by so many groups of wonderful, caring people. I have written about folks from the Greatest Generation who accomplished so much and there are more stories to come about those heroes. This week, though, there are people who visited us who deserve more than a casual nod.

Variety Adventure Camp—a program of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis —came to Brentwood Recreation Center. That sound simple, but for Variety Campers just “going” is no small feat. There were eighty-five young participants with wheelchairs, walkers, visual assistance, etc. and almost as many counselors and volunteers. Adventure camp takes the limits or boundaries experienced by children with disabilities and throws them out the window. With a motto of “I CAN!” for all children, they came, they played, they conquered. 

Adventures were big for everyone. Campers created art projects using a wide variety of mediums. They ate a camp-style lunch. They made music with all kinds of instruments and sang, ending that adventure with a talent show. They even experienced the ICE RINK!

Campers who would usually not be on an ice rink had volunteers to lace up their skates, lend a hand for support, put on cleats to walk out on the ice or roll wheelchairs up the specially made ramp to a whole new world of ice. There were more than enough helpers to make sure every camper had the most fun possible.

Teens, college students and hockey players from the St. Louis Edge Women’s Hockey Team shared miles of smiles with their young charges.

If you need an uplifting experience, if your soul is tried and tired, call Barb Kramer. As Variety’s Program Director, she’s sure to find a way for you to donate your time, money or knowledge to this amazing program. You are sure to be renewed by sharing with the beautiful people of Variety.