A smile says a thousand words

A typical cabin for camper families at Campfire Circle, near Waterford.

Brenda Moser

Advocate Contributor

It seems in this day and age that so many of us have been touched by cancer or knows someone who has been.

It’s not a fact to be proud of or happy with, it’s just a fact. On a personal level we, as a family, have been affected by this horrible disease and do not wish it on anyone. I’m happy to say that we have a survivor in our family - Makinley - and she is our ‘spitfire.’

Mak, as we call her, was born in 2018 with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma and the doctors and staff at McMaster Hospital did what they do best and were able to remove the tumor and put her on the road to recovery.

In 2019, she and her family - mom Brooke, dad Eric, siblings Charlotte and Lily - had the opportunity to attend Camp Trillium for the first time and they had a blast. It gave the older siblings a chance to have fun, laugh and smile like kids do… and Mom and Dad too of course. They have attended several camps since then and always come away with great memories.

Now called Campfire Circle, the facility continues to serve those in the cancer community. It has put smiles on the faces of literally thousands of children over the years. On June 13, the Waterford-area camp held an Open House and the turnout was amazing. So many campers, family members, supporters, volunteers and staff were on hand to greet visitors, conduct tours and run events for the kids. There were smiles galore that day!

As I toured the Camp, I watched as children joined the activities, went fishing, hugged old friends and smiled… a lot! The mission for the day was accomplished. There was nothing but sunshine that day as everybody walked the grounds, chatted, and enjoyed the million-dollar views of Rainbow Lake. Truly, they are million-dollar views!

After a great ‘camp’ lunch, a short program was presented and some of the families shared their stories with us. Each had their own memories and experiences but the consensus was always the same - Campfire Circle has been there for them and lifted their spirits when needed, when times were toughest. Fun was the order of the day and the laughter and smiles on the faces of the kids were just what the doctor ordered.

I met and spoke with several visitors that day and the comments were nothing but positive. It gives the families somewhere to go at a time when they can’t go anywhere and they are able to form lifelong friendships.

Some gathered on the porch outside the Main Hall, sharing their memories and thoughts, while other visitors checked out the cabins, the actual ‘campfire circle,’ and the fishing dock. It was a great day for fishing as we watched several children reel in their catches – all thrown back in after bragging pics were taken. Way to go Lily! What a catch.

Campfire Circle offers several year-round medically supported camps and families can leave their cares and worries behind them. It’s a time for the children to form new friendships and build lasting memories. There’s no better prescription than that.

Several guests and speakers mingled on the deck and I was able to speak with a group of what some might call ‘unlikely’ visitors. Members of the Cerebus Riding Club (Kitchener) were on hand once again to show their support.

Campfire Circle, a merger of Camp Trillium Rainbow Lake and Camp Oochigeas, has been there since 1983-84 for kids with cancer and their families. They truly believe that ‘camp restores a sense of normalcy, new found strength and hope’. What I saw that day were dozens of happy, smiling, carefree children just having fun like all kids should.

Community support is always welcome and appreciated. Donations, however big or small, can make a difference. Thank you to organizers and volunteers that made that day so special. Kids could be kids and forget their illness for a few hours. It was smiles everywhere! If you can give… give what you can!