On July 7, 2013 the Palermo Heart-to-Heart Foundation had the privilege of attending opening day for Camp Dost, a summer camp help at Camp Victory and run by Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital.
Board members of the foundation along with family and friends helped serve Rita’s Italian Ice to 125 children and their families for the start of day one of a weeklong camp while the outside temperature was hitting 90 degrees!
Children from kindergarten to 12th grade are able to bring along one family member for the 7-day camp. During the opening session, children and their families were able to have their faces painted, have balloons made, enjoy some freshly popped popcorn or have their choice of three delicious flavors of Italian ice.
It was a thrill to be on a campus that features a large sized outdoor pool, nicely arranged cabins where children sleep in a country setting that allows anyone to forget life’s challenges and just to enjoy one’s self.
The children were the main focus, but it was also amazing to see hundreds of volunteers who give their time to make this camp work. We were told that doctors, nurses, child life specialists, and everyday people use their personal vacation time to be there as support staff for the children. Having them on the grounds makes it easy for the mothers and fathers to leave their children behind and know they are being taken care of.
We want to thank Janet Weis for allowing us to play a small part in bringing a smile on the children’s faces at Camp Dost !!!!!!!!!!!!
