Friday, June 17, 2011

Busy Weekend for Camp Good Days!

I had the opportunity to spend Thursday at the Camp Good Days’ Recreational Facility and speak to all our Summer Staff members, who are in the midst of their two-week, intensive, Summer Staff Training session. Our Summer Staff members help to ensure that all of the programs are provided in a safe and supportive environment and that our campers have the most wonderful experience possible, helping to coordinate the Dining Hall and all of the meals; activity areas such as Arts & Crafts, Nature, Woodworking, Sports & Games, Adventure Ropes Course & Indoor Climbing Wall, and the Computer Shed; working as trained and certified Lifeguards, and helping to supervise and chaperone the campers in their cabins.



It’s going to be another busy weekend for all of us at Camp Good Days…this afternoon, through our Partners Against Violence (PAVE) Initiative, we will be participating in Project T.I.P.S. in the Conkey & Clifford Avenue neighborhood in Rochester. Project T.I.P.S. stands for Trust, Information, Programs & Services, and includes community agencies and law enforcement personnel working in selected neighborhoods to rebuild trust amongst residents and share information. From 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, groups, including one Police Officer, one Fire Fighter, and two volunteers, will visit residents within the neighborhood to create conversations about quality of life issues, as well as to obtain information about the crime and violence that has plagued the neighborhood, in an anonymous format for residents. Project T.I.P.S. will continue from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, with a community cookout and get together where residents can come and obtain more information from service providers and law enforcement agencies, as well as have some food and beverages, and have the opportunity to visit with their neighbors that they know and meet some neighbors they may not know.



I am so excited that Joe Szafranski, a Buffalo Police Department Officer and New York State National Guard Staff Sergeant will be stopping by Project T.I.P.S. around 4:00 PM, as part of his Ride 4 Cancer 2020. Joe lost his nephew to cancer this past January and over the last week he has biked from Buffalo to Albany and will return to Buffalo on Saturday. Through his ride, Joe is hoping to generate awareness and funds to help support Camp Good Days and CANCER MISSION 2020. Joe is a very special young man and I am thrilled that we can support and encourage him in this endeavor.



Also on Friday evening, a very special group of young men and women who are all dealing with cancer will arrive at the Recreational Facility as participants in the Young Adult Program. This program, open to young men and women ages 18-39, goes from Friday to Sunday and includes a Wine Class & Tasting with our good friend and Teddi Award recipient, Lorraine Hems; Tai Chi; Adventure Ropes Course; Arts & Crafts; Woodworking; Boat Rides; Camp Fire; Movie and more. Camp Good Days started the Young Adult Program in 2007 and it has continued to grow over the past few years, providing an opportunity for these young adults to be in a beautiful and safe environment, with the only people in the world who truly understand what they are going through…other young adults with cancer.



On Saturday, I will head to Geneva in the afternoon to attend my Grandson’s High School Graduation and then travel to Buffalo, along with my wife, Wendy, and a few of our Staff Members to attend the Buffalo Creative Black Tie Gala…There’s No Place Like Camp! Based on a Wizard of Oz theme this year, the Buffalo Gala is always a fantastic event and I am sure this year will not disappoint!



As a father, I am hoping to be able to catch up on some rest and relaxation on Sunday for Father’s Day…maybe catch a Red Wings game, before we return to the office on Monday for another busy week.



I hope you all have a safe and fun weekend – don’t forget to check out our website for more information about the many programs and services and special events and activities going on – please keep all those dealing with cancer in your thoughts and prayers - and I wish all of the dads out there a very HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

1 comment:

Mary Dadey said...

Happy Father's Day, Gary

There is no place like Camp on the entire planet!

Mary Dadey