Gone Camping: Back on Monday

By Stephanie Hauck

A few short days after starting with CAN, I headed off on a five hour bus-ride to Camp. With a bus load of families anxiously waiting to start their fun-filled weekend, you could imagine that the trip could not have gone any faster. However, upon arrival the smiles that displayed across many of the families faces made the long trip feel like only a few short minutes.

I have to admit, there is certainly something quite unique and special about the CAN camp that you cannot get anywhere else. Perhaps, it is the wonderful staff (who occasionally rise to the call of duty) to express their hidden chef like talent. Or, the team of volunteers who despite the endless running around, still get up the next morning ready for anything. Whatever it is – the CAN camp experience is a whirlwind of success, creating a chance for families and their children to escape the city together to experience, for many something entirely new.

Being the newbie out on the job, I occasionally felt a little anxious and nervous. But, I quickly realized that I was completely capable of handling the sometimes emotional ups and downs of providing camp to children and their families with autism. Because of this positive experience I encourage those volunteers already participating to continue – as well as encourage new volunteers to join the CAN experience.  

I think the highlight of the weekend for me, besides seeing my boss sing campfire songs and eating far too many sticky smore’s – was the feedback from many of the different families and how greatly they appreciated everything we had done for them. Especially the parent social which gave parents the opportunity to leave their children for an hour to socialize – something many of them had not done in a very long time.

There are not many jobs that allow you to feel and understand the importance of the work you do each week. Nor, are their many jobs that provide you with such an incredible unique opportunity that is sure to follow my memories for years to come.

Stay Tuned….