Camp Dream Street a welcome getaway for children

 

story and photos by Ruby Dean
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Rain or shine, the dreams of 27 youngsters came true during Camp Dream Street this week at Dwight Mission near Sallisaw, Okla.

The residential summer camping program is for children ages 6 to 16 with cancer, leukemia and other blood-related diseases, such as hemophilia, sickle cell anemia and AIDS. The children enjoyed daily activities of swimming, fishing, canoeing, archery, hiking and crafts.

Children may attend the camp at any stage of their disease process, and trained medical staff were on site throughout the week.

The weeklong camp, sponsored by the We Care Foundation, is free of charge to the campers, who are given the opportunity to enjoy activities from which they are normally restricted because of their illnesses. The goal of the program is to provide each child a wonderful camp experience and the dream of normal childhood activities becoming a reality.

One of those children in particular is 12-year-old Bailee Bise from Roland, Okla. Bise was diagnosed with ovarian cancer Sept. 11, 2007, at the age of nine. She underwent surgery to have her right ovary removed. Surgery was followed by three months of chemotherapy. She has been cancer free since Dec. 18, 2007. She goes for checkups every six months and as far as her parents know, Bailee will have to do this for the rest of her life.

Last year was Bise’s first year to attend the camp. Her father had learned of the camp from a nursing student. When Bailee was diagnosed with cancer, she had an identity crisis and did not want to talk about her diagnosis with anyone.

One thing Bailee said about the camp was “everyone at camp knows what you have and knows what you have been through so they don’t have to ask questions.” The thing Bailee likes most about the camp is the fishing, and the least thing she likes is bedtime.

Children who attended the camp loved it and didn’t want it to end. The children came from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. New friends were made, as well as once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

The camp is celebrating 20 years this year and thanks to contributions from private, corporate and service club donations the dream of being a "normal kid" is a reality for the children.

Another bonus is that scholarships are available to Camp Dream Street primary campers when they graduate high school. They are allowed to attend the university, college or trade school of their choice. Upon completion of their first year, the scholarship is renewable for three years.