On August 23, 2013, Backyard Sports Cares headed up to Brant Lake Camp in the Adirondack Mountains with 26 boys and girls from The Edward Williams School’s Amazing Afternoons Program and the NewFlex Youth Program in Mt. Vernon. The directors and ownership of Brant Lake graciously donated the use of their camp for the trip.
Our goal was to give these kids the full sleep away camp experience. As soon as the kids arrived at camp they went for a swim in the beautiful mountain lake, and then kept busy the rest of the weekend with a variety of sporting activities, including basketball, soccer, tennis, kickball, baseball and gaga.
The first night of camp the kids put on an incredible talent show in the Brant Lake clubhouse. Highlights of the show were Sofia and Cheyenne singing “Girl on Fire” and Gabriel’s rendition of “Sweet Dreams are Made of This”. For the grand finale, all the campers were on stage dancing to the Wobble with Coach Nesta Felix and Miss Jones (our wonderful MCs for the evening).
On the second day of camp, in addition to playing sports, all of the kids hiked the Three Brothers Mountain. Many of these kids had never been on a hike before, but they all had a tremendous sense of accomplishment when they made it to the top. Also determined to make it to the top were their teachers Miss Figueroa and Miss G, both of whom made it with the help and encouragement of the kids. Everyone loved the views of the lake from the top of the mountain.
On the final night of camp we enjoyed a cookout and a campfire down by the lake, complete with roasted marshmallows and a late night pizza surprise. As we sat around the campfire, the kids shared some of the things that they had learned at the camp and some of the things that they want to work on in the upcoming year. We were impressed with Haley and others who spoke of wanting to help their classmates and be leaders among their peers.
Nobody wanted to leave at the end of the weekend, but everyone hopes they can do it again next year!
Special thanks to all our adult and special student volunteers Cameron Moser and Josh Klein, sophomores at Scardale High School who helped coach and guide the kids throughout the weekend and to Brant Lake Camp for providing us with their outstanding facilities and helpful staff.