Camp Rising Sun provides summer fun to cancer affected kids

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss.(WCBI) – It wouldn’t be summer without summer camps.

“We want the children that are sick that don’t have the opportunity to do other camps. We want them to come to our camp because it’s a great camp and we rock,” said Camp Rising Sun Counselor Tammy Prescott.

Camp Rising Sun is a camp for kids who have been or are being, treated for cancer.

Prescott says they won’t let anything stop them from enjoying all the out doors has to offer.

“These children, obviously, some of them are sick and we go to great lengths to make sure that the activities are safe. We have nurses and doctors on site here we keep up with them,” said Prescott.

The campers get the full experience of camp.

“We got swimming going on we’ve got water activities tomorrow we have the waterfront activities going on we have fishing that some of the children are at,” said Prescott.

Camp Counselor Katie Myers says she remembers just a few short years ago when she was in the campers shoes.

“I had an Astrocytoma of the spinal cord. It’s really nice to be able to see them as I saw myself. I know that some of them come in scared, well I’ve not been able to do that before but being able to reassure them and help them know it’s ok because we have people here. If you fall it’s going to be ok. It’s ok to take those risks and enjoy yourself even though you’ve been sick,” said Myers.

To be able to attend, campers must have approval from their physicians and parental consent. To help ease the switch into a new place campers could invite a friend or sibling.

“I came, I was 14 with a friend, she was a patient and she invited me to come with her and I loved it. I was very shy back then and it really opened me up after like my first or second year. I made so many new friends and even as a counselor I think I enjoyed as much as the kids do,” said Camp Counselor Chelsea Best.

“It’s just a wonderful time and everybody from the community the different agencies they pitch in and we make it happen,” said Prescott.

The camp is hosting a dance Thursday night for the kids and a talent show in Friday.