POWERFUL PART
by Dana Rieck
All youth deserve to experience the power of self-discovery and “To see the kids flourish outside of the hospital and outside of the personal growth American Youth Foundation outdoor education clinic is really rewarding,” said Leigh Hardiman, Camp Meridian programs provide. The strong relationships formed between the AYF Executive Director. “We encourage the whole idea behind why Dr. and its Community and School Program partners expands this access Gauthier founded this organization, which was that these campers to hundreds of young participants each year. are so much more than a heart condition and capable of doing more than they think they can.” Merrowvista and Miniwanca work with other mission-driven organizations and area schools to create collaborative programs that Merrowvista Client Relations Manager Jamie O’Hagin said fulfill the partner organizations’ needs and incorporate the values of Merrowvista staff advise on programmatic elements, such as the AYF. Community and School Programs take full advantage of the scheduling and activities (think climbing walls and ropes courses), sites’ many assets, including talented staff, youth-focused facilities, and provide staff who bring energy, joy, and playfulness to the and programmatic elements. weekend. One such successful partnership between Merrowvista and Camp “We call ourselves Camp Meridian staff that weekend because we try Meridian has flourished for nearly 20 years. Founded by pediatric to keep it immersive — and so the kids themselves might not even cardiologist Dr. Naomi Gauthier, Camp Meridian is a three-day know that there's a difference in staff,” she said. weekend program for children with heart conditions that prohibit Meanwhile, Camp Meridian puts together the program, builds them from participating in more traditional camps. The program is relationships with campers, and brings the mystery. free for youth to attend and staffed with doctors, nurses, and medical staff to ensure the campers’ safety while they participate in activities “In previous years, there was this mystery storyline the campers got designed with them in mind. to follow, and every activity they did provided clues,” O’Hagin said. “The campers and staff got really into it, and it created this awesome sense of wonder and joy.”
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