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26 posts for 26 miles
26 posts for 26 miles
Summer is here and that means one thing… it is camp season! Next week Freeman is heading off to his 3rd Camp Brainstorm. Camp Brainstorm offers an amazing week away from home for kids with Epilepsy. Freeman can’t wait! I used to go to running camps when I was younger. In High School, I traveled with my teammates to the University of Oregon to attend Bill Dellinger’s Track Camp. In college, I joined my teammates for a week of Coach Poehlein’s boot camp at the Indiana Dunes State Park. I was always ready to go! Camps provide a perfect environment for learning valuable lessons and getting motivated Camps provide time away from the normal stresses of our day-to-day lives. That increases our ability to learn new things from a friend, counselor or coach. Freeman loves learning new things at Camp Brainstorm. After the mandatory “Safety Outdoors” discussions, Freeman is free to roam the camp grounds getting reacquainted with his summer friends. He and his friends spend a lot of time getting better at ping-pong, fishing, relay competitions and water fights. However, a hidden lesson is that he realizes he is not alone in his struggles with Epilepsy. Freeman can relax, knowing that the other kids understand seizures and are there for support if anyone has one. Camp Brainstorm is also an opportunity for Freeman to learn to be responsible for making good healthy choices on his own. The camp provides an endless supply of Egg Rolls and Fruit Punch… a tough combination if a kid chooses to over-indulge! Camp is a safe environment for Freeman to learn to restrict the amount of sugar he consumes to reduce his chances of having seizures. Running camp provided a similar escape for me to learn to be a better runner. The camp included the expected track and trail workouts. However, I learned new ways to improve from the best: Pat Tyson (Mead High School & Gonzaga University), Coach Mike Poehlein (Purdue University). My sophomore year I was shocked after Pat Tyson took us on a blistering morning run, only to remind us to be ready for the real workout in the afternoon. A lesson that Double Days can quickly increase your mileage and endurance, but the runner needs to know his current limits. Coach Poehlein spent a full day at camp teaching us the importance of leg turnover. To this day I still envision stepping over imaginary broomsticks from my ankles to improve my stride frequency. These camps help individuals focus on making themselves better. Freeman is growing to be an independent young man, just as I learned to become a more complete runner.
Getting motivated at a camp is easy. It all begins with a fun atmosphere set up by the organizers of the camp. Camp Brainstorm works to remove barriers normally faced by their campers so that they can have fun. The simple ability for a child with epilepsy to attend a sleep over is NOT taken for granted. Freeman has had a few sleepovers, but is usually not comfortable because he has nocturnal seizures. Freeman loves having a week away from home, spending late evenings in the bunk house telling stories and playing games with new friends. Freeman’s favorite activity is the Painted Marshmallow Throw. All the kids run around the field with marshmallows of various colors, leaving their mark on their new friends’ white clothes. This activity gets the kids smiling and working as a group, ready for the week ahead of them. Freeman noted that one of the reasons that Camp Brainstorm is so amazing is that you get to “Be yourself”. He leaves the camp with a strong sense of self-worth. Nobody at the camp would be surprised, sympathetic or concerned that you have epilepsy. Rather, relationships are built on who you are and what you enjoy. Freeman spends time at Archery, Fishing, Zip-lining, Swimming, talent shows, kayaking and dancing with kids who want to know what defines him beyond having Epilepsy. Running camps were always the spring board towards a successful season. The counselors and coaches were great sources of motivation and encouragement. Oregon provided special guests to talk about achieving goals. Joaquim Cruz amazed the group as he spoke to us about his 1984 Summer Olympics Gold medal performance in the 800. Likewise, everyone enjoyed the run to Bill Dellinger’s house to watch his 10K Olympic race and set eyes on his Bronze medal. The most surprising source for motivation was from the other campers. I had the opportunity to camp with all-time high-school greats Coley Candaele (Carpenteria) and Greg Kuntz (Mead). Running tempo runs behind Greg or being “Steamrolled” by Coley taught me that kids, just like me, were achieving these unfathomable accomplishments. Everyone should attend camps like these. Camp Brainstorm provides the best opportunity for our son Freeman. The Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas covers the cost of the camp for all the kids. They coordinate year-round fundraisers and accept donations to insure as many children as possible can attend this wonderful week of learning and motivation. I know that Freeman will grow up a stronger young man having spent his summers at Camp Brainstorm learning lessons and staying motivated. Next up: Mile 7. Sleep Deprivation and Early Mornings
1 Comment
Lisa
6/12/2017 09:27:33 pm
So happy Free gets to go away to such a wonderful camp. I know how wonderful a camp full of your peers can be, it's truly a special experience and so glad he gets his camp week ;-)
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