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West Denver Trout Unlimited's mission statement: "Conserving, protecting, and enhancing Colorado's cold water fisheries through volunteerism, education and outreach". |
On Tuesday, June 5, 2007; six volunteers operationalized that mission statement by traveling to Camp Wapiyapi near Estes Park to work with kids. While our group went to teach fly tying/fishing to a group of campers; we came away having learned courage, commitment, and the importance of laughter.
Cancer has touched us all in very personal ways. The disease is a very scary thing. It is most particularly hardbreaking when a child becomes it's victim. Camp Wapiyapi is in it's sixteen year. The mission of this endeavor is to provide kids who are in remission from cancer 'the best week of the year'. The camp offers kids a chance to spend time with other kids who have fought for their lives against this killing disease. This allows them to feel at home with people who have been through the ordeals of chemo that pervades their young lives. Courage permeates the camp setting.
This opportunity is provided to these children at no cost to them. Each camper is paired with an indi
vidual 'counselor-buddy' for the week. Counselors are volunteer young adults from area colleges who often are cancer survivors themselves. They commit to spending a week each year to buddy up with a kid to share the fun and thrills of summer camp.
Counselor's provide role models for the kids through their personal commitment of time energy, and caring. The bonding that occurs between these young men and women and their 'charges' is remarkable.
Bob Untener, Fred Portillo, Jon Weimer, Joe Cunningham, Susan Hadlock, and Charlie Horn were privileged to share this wonderful experience for a day. The camp director, Aaron Smith, who is a member of our chapter; does a stellar job of organizing Camp Wapiyapi each year. He knows from personal experience the fear and anxiety of the cancer victim. His great organizational skills, warm friendly personality, and deep commitment to the mission makes the project successful. Hopefully, our chapter will continued to be included in the camp's program.
As we drove away from Camp Wapiyapi, the biggest water fight we had seen in years was in progress. The laughter of children filled the air. A great time was being had by all.
Each of us needs to re-connect to the wonder and fun of children.....particularly those who have faced the devil and who yet know how to play as if this was the last day. Sometimes we get lost in our own self importance and the day's social/political/environmental turmoil. If at the end of the day you truly want to save the world, teach the children....and learn courage, commitment, and laughter from them.
Charlie Horn
