Victory Junction Making the Impossible Accessible

Making the Impossible Accessible

Nestled in the quiet rolling hills of central North Carolina, surrounded by tall pines and lush farmland, lies a wondrous place full of adventure, discovery, and acceptance. Passing through the doors of brightly colored buildings, the freedom of childhood and the magic of camp comes alive.

This special place was the dream of Adam Petty, a fourthgeneration race car driver from the legendary Petty family. Adam’s passion for racing was equaled only by his compassion for others, especially children. Between races, he frequently visited pediatric hospitals. After his tragic death in 2000, Adam’s family and friends came together to build his dream of a camp to serve children with serious illnesses; a camp intentionally made accessible with adaptive equipment so that every child could play and experience the delight and joys of camp.

In June 2004, Adam’s legacy of love was realized when the first campers passed through the gates of Victory Junction.

Year-round on-site and off-site programming includes summer camp, family retreats, day programs, pediatric patient outreach, and partner programs. By removing all barriers, camp welcomes children with complicated medical conditions.

On-site program areas include: a 55 ft. scaling tower, zip line, giant swing, theater, arts and crafts, boating and fishing, water park, bowling, archery, horseback riding, and mini-golf.

In 2010, Victory Junction expanded its programming to include off-site pediatric patient outreach. Partnering with hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the Carolinas, the REACH team brings Victory Junction to children who require hospital admission.

A part of the SeriousFun Children’s Network (SeriousFun), a network made up of 30 camps and programs around the world – including nine in the U.S., Victory Junction adheres to strict guidelines on camper care, financial competency, and program innovations. Additionally, the camp meets the rigorous safety standards of the American Camp Association.

A Tremendous Need

Meeting the needs of children with physical or cognitive disabilities is an area of great need in communities across the world. These children are often underserved or unserved and have limited access or opportunities for social inclusion and growth. Children with disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or serious illnesses may experience feelings of isolation, low self-confidence, and struggle with self-identity. They are more likely to develop posttraumatic stress symptoms while lacking adequate medical self-care and advocacy. Victory Junction not only provides opportunities for fun and play, but it is also transformational. A 2021 study of camper alumni from around SeriousFun Children’s Network found that SeriousFun camp experiences greatly influenced campers developing: • Willingness to try new things (90%) • Self-identity and self-confidence (86%, 85%) • Perseverance (84%)

Camper alumni also indicated the elements of camp that were most important to their experience were: • feeling accepted and not judged • feeling a sense of freedom • feeling a sense of possibility

These outcomes highlight how

Victory Junction experiences provide safe, inclusive, and meaningful opportunities for campers to continue growing and engaging with new experiences and people.

How Victory Junction Changes Lives

Victory Junction is so much more than a summer camp!

Twelve months out of the year, Victory Junction creates meaningful connections in communities of those with complex medical conditions.

Summer Camp:

Children are invited to attend one week of residential summer camp aligned with their specific diagnosis. Paired in cabins with their peers, campers are assigned to colorthemed units. A sea of red, blue, green, and yellow t-shirts and face paint wash over the grounds while spirited unitspecific cheers are heard throughout the day. Campers celebrate new friendships and a sense of belonging. Friendships form not only with their peers but with the counselors who help guide, teach, and care for them throughout the week. Some of these friendships flourish for the rest of their lives.

At the end of the week, campers head to Lake Hugh to sing songs in front of the closing night campfire. They are encouraged to write their hopes, dreams, and wishes onto wooden sticks that are tossed into the fire. The embers float up to the skies and turn into dazzling bright stars. Legend has it, when you see a shooting star, that is one of their wishes coming true.

Family Retreats:

Before and after the heat of summer, camp opens its doors for not only campers but also their families. Moms and dads, caregivers, and siblings have a chance to take part in traditional camp activities while enjoying important time together. For some, this is the only opportunity to meet other families who are navigating life with similar situations and diagnoses.

Day Programs:

Victory Junction offers day programs that provide an opportunity for children with autism spectrum disorder and other diagnoses a chance to experience camp in a unique way designed around their specific needs.

REACH:

When kids can’t leave the hospital, the magic of camp comes to them. REACH partners with hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the Carolinas. For children in partner hospitals, REACH provides a break from hospital stays through activities like play archery, bowling with inflatable pins, and constructing paper campfires! These activities relieve stress, nurture play and imagination, and offer distraction from medical procedures. Each activity is carefully designed to meet the specific needs and abilities of each child, and all activities are provided in compliance with hospital policies.

Partner Programs:

Victory Junction partners with diagnosis community groups and healthcare organizations to host a variety of on-site events, utilizing intentional programming to provide support and camp experiences for all participants.

From Communities Next Door or 4,000 Miles Away

Since 2004, Victory Junction has provided over 105,000 experiences to kids and their families. Children have visited from every state, DC, Puerto Rico, Canada, Denmark, England, and Switzerland. Serving over 500 different medical diagnoses, Victory Junction is unique in the medical camp community in its ability to accommodate the broadest range of disabilities and diagnoses.

Get Involved

Victory Junction built a community for children with complex medical conditions where they are accepted as themselves and appreciated for who they are, so that they can see themselves in a world that is inclusive and welcoming. To learn more about all the different ways you can get involved, please visit victoryjunction.org.

Three Furry Friends Steal Holiday Hearts in the Triad Photography by Ariel Perry

During the holidays, homes all around the Triad are filled with traditions both old and new, like the sweet smells of baking cookies, trimming of the tree, and nestling in front of the fire to enjoy a movie or time together. In the Sharpe house, there are three little elves that often find their way into the hearts of visitors, and their names are Finley, Hutch, and Birkin.

For the past few years, Ashley McKenzie Sharpe has featured her beloved English Bulldogs in a holiday calendar that is treasured by business owners throughout Winston-Salem. But getting them to pose for the pictures is no easy task, says Sharpe. “This year, we wanted to put them in matching outfits themed to each month of the coming year. But trying to wrestle three bulldogs into sweaters is its own trip to the gym!”

After collecting the outfits all year, including Panthers jerseys, Halloween costumes, tutus, and raincoats, it took a team of willing friends to make the photoshoot successful. Sharpe laughs when she recalls the scene, admitting, “They were such great sports about the whole thing. We had a bag of treats for them, but they enjoyed the attention. It really wasn’t until the hats came out for the final few pictures that it was obvious that they had had enough of our shenanigans.”

Sharpe, a Branch Manager for NEO Home Loans, sends the calendars to some of her favorite Triad Realtors and business partners, on what began as a way to thank people at the end of each year for their partnership, and soon became a beloved tradition that people looked forward to every year. Sharpe says, “I just love how excited people start being in the fall about receiving their new calendar. It has grown from about 100 calendars in the beginning to a much larger effort!”

When she isn’t spending time with her “piggies,” as she lovingly calls the three dogs, her focus is helping people throughout North and South Carolina purchase homes in which to create their own memories. While the past few years have been hectic in the real estate market, Sharpe believes that 2023 is going to be a fantastic year to buy a home.

“Rates being higher than they have been in years past is creating a challenge in the minds of some homebuyers right now, but there are so many programs and strategies available that will allow people to move into the home that they truly want while refinancing, when rates are lower.” Sharpe continues, “If you find yourself this holiday season without enough space to accommodate guests, or if your New Year’s Resolution is to buy a home, there are some excellent opportunities we can show you.”

Sharpe’s husband happens to own a local business that comes in quite handy for Ashley’s calendars each year, as well. Zach Sharpe of Sharpe Printing knows that he has a very big order on his hands every year from his favorite customer featuring their fur babies. Ashley disclosed, “I can’t wait to see this year’s calendar. I think it’s going to be my favorite yet.”

The calendars will be distributed along with holiday cheer during the week of Christmas. If you would like to be entered to win one of the calendars featuring the Sharpe bulldogs, scan the QR code.

Child Safety Series

HOLIDAY “STRANGER DANGER”

BY TARYN JEREZ

Each month this series will provide important facts and tips surrounding child safety in an effort to support parents and caregivers as they navigate reducing risks and creating the safest environment possible for the children in their lives.

Understanding Elevated Risks During the Holidays

Winter holidays are best known for the memories we make with the ones we love, especially the little ones in our lives. Often these memories involve fun seasonal events and excursions with family and friends frequenting new places with new people all around. That in addition to the hustle and bustle of frequent shopping trips to get presents, added childcare for adult holiday functions and simple distractions this time of year can have increased opportunity for child endangerment.

In an effort to keep this holiday season magical for you and your kids, we’ve rounded up some important and helpful tips to avoid safety issues when it comes to “stranger danger.”

1. Be clear and repetitive with your kids about family outings and the expectation of needing to be able to see one another at all times.

Depending on age, if they are more than a few feet away, they’ve gone too far.

2. Dress your children in bright or coordinating colors with their siblings to be able to keep them in direct sight. Consider taking a photo of them before outings to ensure you remember what they were wearing in case of separation.

3. When in larger public spaces like an airport or theme park, depending on the age and maturity of your children, consider using a cute harness to keep them close. It does not matter what others think, safety comes first. 5. Always bring children into a public restroom with you rather than leave them outside to wait alone, especially at parades, festivals, shopping malls and more.

6. Thoroughly look into any new childcare options you decide to try out during the holidays and get references or complete background checks if possible.

7. Tempting as it may be, avoid putting children’s names on their clothing or accessories such as hats, backpacks, jackets, shirts and more. This makes it easy for an adult to pretend to know your child to gain trust, even though they do not.

8. Don’t utilize public spaces as “safe childcare” options, such as movie theaters, skating rinks, bowling alleys and more, since predators are more likely to feel comfortable approaching unsupervised children at public locations.

4. Make practicing important contact information a weekly occurrence to help create confidence in children and preteens to know their full name, address and their parents or guardian’s full names and cell phone numbers. 9. Remind kids that they always need to check in first and get your permission before going anywhere with another adult or child, even when it’s someone that they know.

with all valuables or holiday shopping bags out of sight-- especially at shopping malls--to keep thieves from being tempted to break in.

Establishing and Practicing a Separation Plan

It’s always better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario, especially where safety is concerned. Sit your children down and have a conversation about what to do (and not to do) should they ever get separated from you or their caregiver. Make sure it’s done in an age- appropriate way and with effort not to scare, but prepare them.

Here are a few things to consider as part of your “Separation Plan” with your child:

• If you cannot find me, look for a

“safe stranger” like a cashier, police officer, mom with her kids or stroller and let them know you need help finding me.

• I will never leave where we are, until

I find you, so you should never leave the location to go looking for me, regardless of what someone else may say. • Agree on a meeting place with older children, should they become separated at an event or large venue, and you need to find each other.

Taking Action If a Child Goes Missing or Is Endangered

• Immediately call your local law enforcement agency as well as notify Security at the location (if applicable), should a child go missing or you fear possible endangerment. Provide them with your child’s name, date of birth, height, weight, hair color, any descriptions of unique identifiers and what clothing they were wearing. Once you’ve reported the child missing, call the National

Center for Missing & Exploited

Children at 1-800-THE-LOST® (1800-843-5678).

Helpful Resources to Learn More

• N.C. Center for Missing Persons: 1-800-522-5437

• Missing Kids.org- {ONLINE ARTICLE

HYPERLINK https:// www.missingkids.org/home}

The Pregnancy Network

ADVENT TRADITIONSCreating Meaningful Memories

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

Christmas is a transformational holiday that appears like magic overnight. It begins with a million volts of electricity that light up the city streets and extends to the “larger than life” inflatable symbols in parking lots and neighborhood yards. While the iconic symbols are present everywhere, the magic of Christmas comes from the spirit of its people, who know what happened one silent night in Bethlehem.

Young children’s viewpoints are still impressionable, and they have many more Christmases to experience before their traditions are defined. While commercialism is ever-present in our lives, families can instill a meaningful message by emphasizing practices of togetherness and giving, teaching about the season of Advent, and creating homemade gifts.

Cake and Christmas

Children as young as three understand the celebratory aspects of a birthday. It is a natural way to connect the relationship between Jesus’ birth and Christmas. Too often, parents are asked, “Why do we not have a cake?” The Wilson family proactively addressed the question when their son was three. Julie shares, “We started throwing a huge birthday party for Jesus, well before breakfast, on Christmas morning. We decorate with streamers, party hats, and most importantly, a birthday cake. We sing “happy birthday” and make it a big deal! Our daughter and son know the reason why we celebrate. Jesus is our greatest gift!”

The Advent Wreath

Advent is a time of spiritual preparation for Jesus’ birth. Children can actively participate, from lighting the candles on the Advent wreath to better understanding the Nativity, creating an Advent calendar, and listening to their favorite holidaythemed stories.

Consider engaging in one of the following activities:

• MAKING A WREATH: While many families celebrate lighting the designated candles in their home, take the time to make a wreath together by collecting and tying together evergreen limbs, representing God’s everlasting love. Three purple wax (or paper-made) candles and one pink one are placed along the outside foliage, while the fifth, a white candle representing Christ, remains in the center. Each candle reminds its witnesses to think about, for instance, hope, faith, the shepherds, joy, and to experience anticipation, all leading to Christ. The season begins on

Sunday, November 27th. • THE NATIVITY: Before setting up the

Nativity in your home, use a small basket to represent “hope.” Children can write notes to family members, friends, or others who may be sick or need prayers.

The figurines of the Nativity often become a place children can go for ideas. Curious questions, conversations, and the telling of stories can lead to teachable moments.

• ADVENT CALENDARS: Creativity is the key to designing a countdown calendar from December first to Christmas Day.

While some are made from felt, heavyduty fabrics or wood, paper folded into small envelopes also works well. Rather than using a marker for the passing of each day, consider writing thoughtful goals, such as “Hold the door open for someone” or “Call a relative and say, ‘Hello.’”

• Teach children about the gifts of generosity. • HOLIDAY-THEMED

BOOKS: Picture books with colorful illustrations offer a meaningful representation of the setting, historical figures, struggles, and events in the most famous story.

In addition to reading favorite stories, try including The Crippled

Lamb by Max Lucado,

Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco, and Why Christmas

Trees Aren’t Perfect by

Dick Schneider.

Homemade Gifts

Secrecy in creating or hand-delivering homemade gifts to neighbors, teachers, a family in need, or someone unknown is an empowering act. In this way, children offer their gifts of time, love, and artistic creativity! Cards or pictures, for instance, can be made of household materials, such as printer or construction paper, fabric, string, or buttons, along with colored pencils or markers. Grandparents, too, would be delighted to receive a homemade calendar, an original story with illustrations, or a hand-painted T-shirt or tote! Julie Wilson shares, “We adopt a family that we bless each Christmas. Sometimes a family has experienced sickness, unemployment, or the loss of a loved one. For over a decade, each of us has adopted a child. Our children take active roles in picking out presents for them. We wanted our children to recognize the season is about giving, and through giving, to feel the blessing in caring for others.” The magic of Christmas surrounds each of us. While the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced lives tends to force us into overdrive, uniting the family together in moments of celebration and story, lighting symbolic candles, and remembering others can direct the purpose of Christmas toward Jesus.