Hurricanes are a universally anxiety-inducing experience. Unpredictable, unrelenting and unkind, they inflict damage on our homes, businesses and mental well-being. Hurricane Beryl however didn’t stand a chance at tarnishing the joy and laughter Camp For All 2U brought to The Woodlands campus as it barreled through Houston.
Camp For All is an organization committed to intentionally delivering unique, barrier-free camping experiences for children and adults managing challenging illnesses, disabilities or special needs. Camp For All 2U delivers that barrier-free camping experience straight to the doorstep of Texas Children’s, taking the inclusivity one step further and allowing our inpatient kids the opportunity to take part in the full camp program.
This year’s Camp For All 2U event was set to begin on July 8 as Hurricane Beryl was setting its sights on the Houston area. It was decided things would proceed as scheduled while keeping a close eye on the weather. The inpatient attendees reaped the benefits and had a blast doing arts and crafts and “canoeing on wheels,” even as the power flickered. “On that first day, a camper had tubes everywhere, doubled over his IV pole, didn’t want his mom to leave and by Friday he was running around like ‘Bye, mom!’,” said Kelsi Martinez, a child life specialist and committee member for Camp For All 2U. Another camper there to receive antivenom for a snakebite was having so much fun, he had completely forgotten why he was at the hospital in the first place!
As the week progressed, more campers were able to make it out to The Woodlands from surrounding areas, many without power, some with trees and limbs damaging their homes. The hospital itself had power but experienced widespread network outages impacting email, printers and Epic. But instead of worrying about those things or illnesses or treatments, the kids did archery and yoga, made music, went on scavenger hunts, played Bingo, fished off the balcony and pied Texas Children’s team members in the face. A young patient who has been on the receiving end of many blood draws was eager to pie his phlebotomist and she took it like a champ. Anything to make these kids feel just a bit better.
The happiness and fun were a balm for everyone, even the Texas Children’s team members. One nurse dealing with flood damage and a tree down on her home said walking through the camp hallway provided her relief, not even realizing how much she needed it. Parents echoed this sentiment, some crying tears of joy when receiving the call that camp was still on.
Not even a hurricane can stop Texas Children’s from providing the best care to our patients and families. In a time of crisis, the team at the Woodlands stepped up and created a safe and joyous environment for people experiencing untold stress. That is living the Texas Children’s way and we are thankful to each of those team members! Special shout out to the Camp 4 All 2U planning committee: Kelsi Martinez, Barbara Bledsoe, Cynda Conrad, En-en Peregrino and Clarissa Bustillos.
