— By Alexia Rowley, Previous CRG Camper and Scholarship Recipient –

My family and I have been a part of Camp Rainbow Gold since I was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006. Something that makes Camp Rainbow Gold so special is how inclusive it is. Of course, the cancer kids are greatly affected by their diagnosis, but the often overlooked siblings and family are affected just as much. Both of my siblings have attended sibling camp for years and they have loved getting to connect to other kids like them. My family and I have gone to family camp which has been a great way to disconnect from our busy schedules and bond together as a family. Camp Rainbow Gold supports not only one person but the whole family.

I attended youth camp for the first time when I was 6 years old and continued to come back every summer till I aged out of teen camp. Even though I’ve aged out of being a camper, CRG continues to bring me many great opportunities. Earlier this year I got to attend the Share Your Heart Ball and share my experiences as a camper and a volunteer. I had the opportunity to apply and receive a scholarship to help me pay for college this year. I was also able to attend family camp this last spring as a junior volunteer. I loved being able to give back to the volunteers and counselors who make camp special for me by doing the same for the next generation of campers.

At the end of camp every summer, it’s so hard to say goodbye to all of the friends I made over the week. The connections I have made with my friends at camp are something special and I can’t wait to see them next year. CRG’s Survivors Supporting Survivors group is a great way for me and other campers to see our camp friends once a month while doing fun activities around the Boise area. Especially in the middle of the school year, a little piece of camp is just what I need to relieve some of the stress of my busy life. Some of my best memories with my camp friends have been during Survivors Supporting Survivors.

Camp Rainbow Gold is a place of love and support. Campfire is one of my favorite parts of camp because everyone is so supportive. Everyone is so encouraging and cheers each other on. It’s so fun to watch myself and others get out of our comfort zones and share our talents. At the end of our last campfire, we have our pinecone ceremony. This is often a very emotional moment for me and many other campers and volunteers. Even in this sad moment, I feel so much comfort looking up across the campfire to see my friends. The love I feel at camp is a love and support I can’t get anywhere else.