Camp Dream Street provides a unique life experience

story and photos by Ruby Dean
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Thirty-four campers, 12 counselors, along with trained medical staff celebrated the 20th Camp Dream Street campout this week, July 3-9, 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. 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 organization is not affiliated with American Cancer Society or other various Relays for Life. They are completely self-funded through contributions from private, corporate and service club donations which help make the dream of being a "normal kid" a reality for these kids.

One benefit of the camp is that the older campers (must be 18) after being former campers were eligible to apply for the Dream Team. The board members decide on who makes up the team. This team is structured to help the campers with the next stage in their life – training for their future. It builds character within. Six campers make up the Dream Team.

One more 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 successful completion of their first year, the scholarship is renewable for three more years.

Jeremiah was diagnosed with testicular cancer as a freshman in high school. He is now in the leadership program on the Dream Team. The program provided him with a scholarship and he is now attending the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. His major is criminal justice. He wants to be a counselor at camp “helping kids like himself.”

Charles is in his first year in the leadership program. He has ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) diagnosed at the age of 15. He wants to attend UAFS and major in biology. He wants to help the kids also because “they deserve it.” He knows how they feel and hopes he can make life better for them.

The Dream Team members have hopes of coming back and being counselors and “help the other campers because they want to give back.”