Camp Inspiration 2104; Day 1

All in all, we had a wonderful time at camp.  Yes, the weather was rainy but it didn't get anyone's spirits down and we had breaks of clear weather so that we were able to do most of the planned outside activities. 

We pulled into camp only about 15 minutes passed our expected time!  Not bad at all.  We were greeted by a group of people including our SIX counselors, RTs, Nurses and other staff.  Always fun to pull into camp!  We were all excited to see Matty D was back and Team O'Neill as a counselor.  Matty was one of our fun/cool/awesome counselors that we had for about 4 or 5 years before he went out into the real world to nursing school.  He is now an ER nurse but had the summer free before starting a new position in the fall.  Anyway, Colin really liked him and they had a special bond that they were able to re-establish very quickly :)

We also had some brand new counselors to Camp Inspiration and brand new to Double H!  They all were awesome and each brought something special to our team.   I wonder if we were a little intimidating to the newbies but if so, they didn't let on, ha ha.  I KNOW we are the loudest family at Camp Inspiration, and medically complicated but all the campers use either bipap or are trached/vented so we may not have been the most medically complicated/fragile.  Anyway, they all were super helpful and interested in the boys and gave a 110% effort to make the boys' time at camp special.

We were in Chipmunk again, same rooms.  We took out one of four beds so that we had more room in the boys' room.  The best thing was that there's now central air in Chipmunk!  It used to be kind of hot and musty but now it was much nicer.  A business came in and volunteered and painted some and replaced some of the flooring and added the AC.

We unpacked a tiny bit and then headed out to the Winter Carnival.  Each day had a theme and today was winter.  Up by Arts & Crafts they had a dozen or so games set up.  There was music and prizes and an all around festive atmosphere.  Both boys warmed up quickly and played most, if not all, of the games.  Casey even got his face painted.

After the carnival, the boys kind of went their separate ways.  Below is a picture of Casey with his fish, but I heard that Colin caught the first TWO fish of the camp season.  

Nurse Lauren arrived, sometime during the carnival which is a good thing because the boys like to go in different directions a lot and Gene and I can have more support and not have to be so anxious about where the boys are and who are they with and are they okay.

After some more roaming around, it was time for dinner.  I can't remember what it was, but in general, the food was really good this year.  I think the boys read some books while we all chatted and ate.  Nurse Julie arrived just in time for some dinner and to join us for our Team O'Neill photo.  I only got the silly photo on my camera, but there is an alternative one, ha ha.

It's hard to see but behind Nurse Lauren is the Double H tree that actually looks like an H and there's a plaque which I assume tells the story behind the name Double H.  I don't think I've ever actually read it!  

 

Then it was camp fire time!  This is a time when everyone gathers around a camp fire and many, many, many camp songs are sung.  Each team brings a special song that they lead the group in singing.  I think we did one about a moose.  I never remember the songs until someone starts singing and then all the words (well, many of the words) and gestures come back to me.  The boys laughed and chuckled and had a good time.  At the end of the singing, a special lantern is lit from the camp fire and will burn all week long, symbolizing all the fun and comradery of camp.  Then there are S'mores!

Team O'Neill in action

 Finally it was time for bed, but not before a book is read.

Pep and Casey having their read.

Matty D and Colin-Colin is pretending he's asleep already.

Nurse Lauren and Nurse Julie shared a room--not that they are ever in the room at the same time since Lauren did days and Julie did nights.  Very thankful for Lauren and how much she does for us during the day and very thankful for Julie who did Tues, Wed and Thurs nights.  Gene and I have so much more fun and are more rested and relaxed when we have help with the boys.  Of course the counselors help with what they can and aren't afraid to jump in and help.

Anyway, after Julie came Gene and I retired to our room and hit the hay.  Ahhh!