— By Chris Edwards CRG Volunteer-

Camp Rainbow Gold merged itself into my life about eight years ago when Carlie, my good friend, previous camper, and then assistant director at teen oncology camp, asked if I could help fill the need for male camp counselors. Although, I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the idea of supervising a group of teenagers for a week, I wanted to support my friend and recognized the importance of Camp Rainbow Gold’s mission to our community. So, I decided to apply.

The CRG Community

Little did I know that by the end of my first week at camp, my perspective on being a pediatric camp counselor would undergo a dramatic transformation. I was astounded by the campers’ maturity, the consistent display of empathy and compassion, and the incredible sense of love and community that arose from the challenging experiences associated with cancer diagnoses.

Changing My Career

Needless to say, I became hooked on CRG. In fact, my volunteer experiences at Camp directly influenced my decision to pursue a career in physical therapy. Volunteering showed me that I possessed the capacity and passion to provide direct care to others, propelling me to make a career change. I often feel that the CRG family has given me more than I could ever give them in terms of emotional empowerment.

A Magical Place

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have ongoing opportunities to volunteer with Camp Rainbow Gold. The relationships I have formed and the experiences I have had at camp have been nothing short of life changing. CRG is a truly magical place that brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds to create something beautiful out of the most terrible circumstances. It serves as a powerful reminder of why we are here and grants children with cancer diagnoses and their families the chance to truly live life and experience the love and support they need during and after their battle with cancer.