Temperatures were high, but folks were in the Christmas spirit at MDA Summer Camp as counselors, campers and other VIPs wore Santa hats and caroled about the week’s events.
Wednesday was VIP day at MDA camp for sponsors and media, and the camp was celebrating Christmas following this year’s theme “Every Day is a Holiday.” This week, they also celebrated the Fourth of July, Easter and New Year’s Eve.
Campers giggled as they brought their buckets up one by one and dumping water on camp counselor Derek Franks’ head.
Soaked from head to toe but completely content, Franks said that this was his 12th year as a counselor for MDA Summer Camp, which was once again held at New Ebenezer Retreat Center.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” he said. “The kids show me a lot about life. They’re suffering through this disease, and you would never know it.”
Other counselors echoed this sentiment, including Stephanie Stafford, who is in town for the summer from Arkansas State University. She helped with camps in Arkansas before and first got involved in high school.
“They say that we make the difference, but really it’s (that) they give so much to us and they change us so much,” Stafford said. “It’s so rewarding just to hear them say ‘I love you’ randomly and stuff like that. It’s hard at times but it definitely rewarding. It’s totally worth it.”
Corporate sponsor representatives, firefighters, other community sponsors and media were invited to visit this year’s camp Wednesday for VIP day.
“Make a muscle, make a difference,” the group roared in unison as the flexed their biceps.
Firefighters and other sponsors from all over the Lowcountry and the Coastal Empire, including Rincon and Springfield fire departments, participated in games and contests with the 15 campers. Many of the “Fill the Boot” campaigns and shamrock fundraisers in the area supported the Muscular Dystrophy Association and MDA Summer Camp.
In addition to regular fundraising, next year’s MDA Muscle Walk will be at the Charleston RiverDogs stadium in Charleston, S.C., at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park instead of the James Island County Park as before.
“This is an opportunity for all our families — and we’ve made some great relationships in the past couple of years — and a great way for us to grow this walk and awareness in the Lowcountry and the Coastal Empire,” said Jennifer Merz, executive director of MDA in Charleston, which covers the Lowcountry and the Coastal Empire.
Cost for sending one child to MDA Summer Camp is $800. To sponsor a child and for more information about MDA Summer Camp, MDA Muscle Walk or how to donate, call (843)556-3654 or (912) 354-9576 or visit mda.org.
