This past weekend (Sept. 19-21) We got to go to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times. Camp Ronald McDonald is cost free camp for children with cancer and their families. I don't even know where to start when describing the experience we all had. We arrived via bus (a nice charter bus) Friday evening and were welcomed with cheerful greetings from counselors and parents that had already been there. We got checked in and received our cabin number and roommates. According to another mother we were going to be staying in the new cabins which she said were very nice, so we were looking forward to that. We ate some delicious food and then everybody sat towards the front of the room and sang a camp song, which the kids really loved and thought it was funny. Then the director of the camp had all the counselors introduce themselves to us and then each family was assigned a counselor. Our counselor was really nice and walked with us to get our luggage and he took it to our cabins for us. The cabin was very nice and cozy. We were very fortunate to have stayed there. He made sure we had everything we needed (the camp provides everything you would need for camp in case you forgot something or couldn't afford to bring the things you need) and we did forget Sophia's tooth brush and toothpaste so he went and brought her some which was really cute, she really loved it. They also provided us sheets for the beds and Sophia got a Princess Belle one that she was excited about sleeping on. Our counselor even brought us coffee and hot chocolate in the morning. We thought that was so nice of him to do, it put a smile on our face! So Saturday came, and this is where we really saw Sophia break out of her shy shell, and it's also where we saw just how awesome all the counselors were. If anyone really knows Sophia they know that she is extremely shy. Once a counselor spoke to her she responded right away and Sophia opened up to them in an instant. She giggled and was happy to be with them all day. They treated her like she was their own. They held her hand, they got down to her level, they told her how cute she was, they asked silly questions, and they made silly faces. Not once did a counselor ever look tired or worn out from spending the whole day with kids. Some of the counselors had nicknames and Sophia really got a kick out of that. One of them said "Hi, my name is fancy pants" and Sophia just busted out laughing. It was as if it was the silliest thing she had ever heard. They make each kid feel so special and not one counselor treated another kid any different. The camp also invited these sweet ladies who (I forget how long they've been going to the camp) donate their time and talent to families by providing each new family with a quilt. Sophia loved hers so much she hasn't stopped sleeping with it.
She was upset because she didn't want to leave
The beautiful quilt that was made for Sophia. It's all wrinkly since she's been using it everyday.
The camp had various activities for the kids to do. They had archery, crafts, they taught magic, they had a dress up photo time for the families, they had hiking time, fishing, basketball, water games and a little carnival. Sophia chose to go hiking, fishing, learn magic, and took a picture. She also played games, made a bracelet, and got her face painted at the carnival. 
We got to meet a lot of other parents who knew exactly what we were going through with Sophia. They knew the lingo that came out of our mouths, they knew the feelings we had, and they were all very kind. One mother put it like this, she said "we arrived as strangers but we're all leaving as a family" which was so true. When we left it felt like we were saying goodbye to friends we have had for years when it was only a weekend spent together. The thing I loved most about it was how much everyone cared for Sophia and all the other kids. It gave us hope to see several counselors who were previous campers themselves, meaning they once had cancer too, and now they are doing fine and giving their time to be with families like us. We have 5 more years to attend with Sophia (and Sammy) and then after that they go on their own until they're 18 if they want to. My wish I had for us going was that she would have a great time, which she really did, and that we would bond with other parents, which we did, and that she would be able to go every year and bond with other kids and understand what she went through, which I know she will.
We are very grateful for being able to attend and be a part of such a wonderful camp. If I could thank each person who has ever donated to that camp I would. Because of them that camp is able to thrive and provide such a positive impact on each child and parent. We left with happy hearts and are already looking forward to next year!
