Camp Goodtimes commenced and we ferried over to Vashon.
This year had a little bit of a different feel for us. It would be Karman's last year at her cancer camp.
She has gone, every single year, since she was 9.
It was kind of a strange feeling knowing that we wouldn't be heading back the next year.
But we did. We trekked along the path just like the nine years before.
Loving the ferry ride...and enjoying the crisp but beautiful air.
The little kids have never NOT gone on this trip. Every year that they have been alive we have headed to the island. In fact, Tyler's first trip he was only 3 days old...
The camp atmosphere is something I could never truly convey to people.
It is happy and loud and obnoxious in a way that leaves you feeling so completely lost in the magic that you almost forget you are leaving your kids there. Those who are, forget they are sick. They are able to put chemo and hospitals behind them...and for one week...live like they should be able to. Parents walk away feeling OK about those kids. Knowing that for this week, they can act like little kids, and laugh and sing and dance without a care in the the world. They are taken care of, and and completely accepted, no matter what!
It is a place that is surrounded by cancer...and/or the idea of cancer and yet it is a place for kids and parents alike, to just forget all about it.
This years theme was MYSTERY.....
So her cabin's name was the Whoodunits.
Cute.
Setting up her Bunk...
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One of the really fun things for both Karman and us is that halfway through their week at camp they get to go on an Argosy Cruise.
While on their trip, every single year, they pull into the Red Robin on the water in Seattle. They park the boat and SING VERY LOUDLY...and make a bunch of noise...and try to temp the diners to throw french fries at them.
Again, I truly can not explain the situation. You would need to hear the noise level.
Over the years, people have learned of this tradition and they come to the docks of Red Robin to meet the boat.
Us included.
Every year we are out there...waiting to hear the impending sound of 300 kids singing YMCA. I don't know why that is always the song of choice...but it is.
All of the kids are on the front of the boat just waiting for the audience to get involved...and every year they do.
I take a good hundred pictures...and with my fancy zoom lens I can actually get up close and personal with Karman...even though she is quite far away.
Here she just after catching a french fry that was thrown at them.
It is a fun memory to have every year.
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Inevitably...camp comes to a close.
On the last day there is always a show. Each cabin puts on a little skit for the parent program.
This was something that was kind of cool...and new this year. It is a sail that has all of the kids pictures on it. Karman is down on the bottom left.
So Karman's last year was a good year. I think there was a little teenage drama involved...but bottom line is...that the week ends, and you come back to the "real world"...so you may as well have a good time while you are there.
In all of the years that we have attended Camp Goodtimes...the thing I've gathered that is so amazing about it, is that for 5 days...these kids are enveloped in a love, and a camaraderie that is so unique that they are able to float on a level of magic that the real world could never provide.
Considering some of their stories...they deserve a week like that!
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