Beat Retreat “3” – the champ of camps
Campfires, canoeing, climbing wall and craziness – participants of the Third Annual Beat Retreat had it all. A record number of adult CHD patients – aged 19 to 61 – turned out for this year’s three-day camp retreat.
“Once again, the retreat was a great experience for all involved,” says Camp Co-ordinator Toby Cox. “It just keeps on getting bigger and better each year.”
The retreat, a Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance program, was held at Camp Quin-mo-lac – a traditional summer camp setting located on the shored of Moira Lake, north of Belleville.
Over the course of the three-day weekend, campers had the opportunity to try – at their own pace – a full range of camp activities. “Archery, canoeing, crafts, scavenger hunt, climbing wall, initiatives course, campfires, kangaroo court – you name it, we offered it,” says Cox. “We even had a handful of campers who braved early morning temperatures of 4 degrees C to do a polar bear dip.”
Through it all, there was no shortage of smiles as campers made new friends, took on new challenges, and got caught up in the camp spirit.
“Too often, a lack of public understanding, opportunity or confidence prevents CHD patients from enjoying many of the life experiences enjoyed by their peers,” says CCHA Board Member and veteran retreater Ted Thaler. “The Beat Retreat works to change that by giving these individuals an opportunity to try new things and challenge themselves in a controlled setting.”
“I’ve seen campers with tears welling up in their eyes because they’ve never even met another CHD patient before let alone had the chance to share experiences with someone who has faced similar challenges,” he says. “It can be a cathartic experience.”
Although it takes a whole team of volunteers months to organize and prepare for the annual retreat, Thaler has no doubt it’s all worth it. “Especially when you see a smile cut across the face of a camper who has tried something they never in their wildest dreams thought they’d ever get to try because of their medical history. All of a sudden they have a new-found sense of accomplishment and confidence.”
This year, two nurse practitioners who specialize in congenital heart disease joined the roster of attendees. They provided campers with tips and suggestions for living with CHD; in return, they had an opportunity to hear first-hand about the many challenges adult CHD patients face.
Organizers are already bandying around ideas for an even bigger and better Beat Retreat 2012. Says Cox. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be great.”
