Arrivals...Camp Simcha Special 2017

One may remember that back in March, my cousin's son, Wyatt, raised money as his mitzvah project for his Bar Mitzvah, for Camp Simcha Special Arrival Day. He worked with Tzvi Haber, Chai Lifeline MidAtlantic Program Director and a Camp Simcha Boys Assistant Head Counselor, to figure out what to do with the funds. Tzvi told Wyatt how much Ian loved arrivals, the bunkhouses, and all the things they did at camp. After Tzvi and Wyatt talked they decided to put the funds towards Arrival Day, making it grander than it already was. So Tzvi went to work and did his magic.

Tuesday, August 9, 2017, Brian, Jamie (Wyatt's mom), Wyatt and I left for our drive up to Glen Spey, NY.  Wednesday, August 10, 2017 was arrival day for Camp Simcha Special Boys. We arrived at camp around 11:15 and were greeted by Tzvi. We walked towards a group aof young men all dressed up in customes ready to greet all the Camp Simcha Special Boys. Before, we really began our day there, a trip into the infirmary was in order. It was great to see all the medical staff, most of them have been at camp for years...they all greeted us, asked how we were doing, how Becca was doing and showed Jamie and Wyatt around...after all, it's not your typical camp infirmary. It was back outside for Tzvi to give us a tour. A few of the bunkhouses were redone this year as well as the canteen and a new floor in the gym. We went down to the pool and saw some of the lifeguards and staff who helped Ian to swim a few years ago. It was great to be able to meet them and thank them for all they did for him. One can not got to the pool without someone getting thrown in...yup, Tzvi threw Wyatt in and then the life guards threw Tzvi in the pool. It was time to head back to the tunnel for Wyatt and Jamie to see arrivals, some boys had arrived.  The boys name was yelled and sung by all, he was escorted thru the tunnel and sandwiched by the counselors. The dancing continued with him for a few more minutes, after all, each boy gets welcomed this way, made to feel like a king. Nothing is impossible. The medical director reminds the counselors each year that while they are a "medical" camp, they like for the medical to be in the background and the camp part to be in the forefront. Tzvi called Brian and Wyatt up on the stage, shared who they were and what Wyatt had accomplished with his mitzvah project. Brian and Wyatt were treated like one of the boys and got the royal treatments. So you might be asking what was added to the arrival day. A flamethrower was purchased. A flamethrower is a mechanical device designed to project a long, controllable stream of fire. From what we could see the boys loved it. In addition, a 360 degree camera was purchased. This will give parents and family members a view like no other of their boys. We got to see a little bit of the end product on Facebook Wednesday night when we got home. Next, we had lunch with Rachel, Becca's big sister and physical therapist for camp, as well as Dr. Van, the medical director. After lunch, we found Tzvi, doing what he does best, welcoming boys into camp, to say goodbye. More hugs were given and we headed to the car. It was a wonderful, bittersweet day. I'm so glad Wyatt got to see why Ian loved camp and how Ian got to be just like one of the boys at camp. Wyatt got to see the amazing things camp does and the impact his mitzvah project will have on other kids over the years. 

It felt good to be at camp one more time, felt right...Ian was there with us, smiling down and loving it.

Wyatt getting treated like all the boys.

 The flamethrower.

Brian and Wyatt being sandwiched by the counselors.

Wyatt and Tzvi in the pool.

The new and improved canteen.

One of the walls in a new bunkhouse. 

A wall of another bunkhouse.