Mayme Marshall, MD: “Camp Is A Magical Place”

Mayme Marshall, MD, left, with the nursing staff at MHCC in 2019.

Camp is a magical place where kids are free from parents' expectations; they can be silly, brave, and adventurous. Becoming a camp doctor has always been a #careergoal for me! My dream came true Summer of 2019, when I was the camp doctor for Merry Heart Children's Camp!

As a physician, the best part of camp is watching our patients just be kids. I love hearing the incessant laughter, watching the triumph of pulling a fish out of the pond, and witnessing the camaraderie among campers and counselors. Witnessing as campers build relationships with peers who can relate to their own stories, or a camper who finds out their favorite counselor shares the same diagnosis as them, now that's powerful.

The community of Merry Heart Children's Camp (including campers, counselors, volunteers, medical and leadership teams) extends past the week of Summer camp; it creates an atmosphere of inclusivity, empowerment, and friendship.

I can't wait to attend in-person camp again in the future!

(Get your COVID vaccine when eligible, please! 🙂)

Rich Kelly: A Passion For Nature

Rich Kelly, center, leads a nature hike at camp in 2017.

I have had the pleasure of being involved with Merry Heart Children’s Camp since the beginning. I have assisted our camp director, Rob, and I lead sports and nature activities. I think it is a great organization – I see the kids having fun and enjoying the outdoors and that is a special feeling for me! 

Our counselors, nurses and staff do a great job. Camp Howard, where our camp takes place each year, has been a good fit for us. COVID has caused disruptions for us but I am looking forward to the days when we will be back together.

- What activity do you like the most?

Sports-O-Rama - We’ve done this activity a couple times. The campers are divided into groups and rotate through three sports. It is good exercise and helps campers experience sports which they might not know.

- Aside from your activities, what do you love about the camp?

Nurses - I love the medical support we have at camp. The kids are closely monitored and well cared for. The medications process is organized and runs smoothly. I know this is a huge peace-of-mind for parents and is a big reason for the camp success.

- Why do you feel the activities you lead are important for the campers?

Nature Hikes - This activity provides an opportunity to experience nature and discover the outdoors. Some campers will find they have a passion for nature. This process is an important part of all kid’s development.

A Camp Story from Ben: "A Happy Camper"

Ben, right, hangs out at our 2019 camp with good buddy Alijah.

This year will be my 5th year going to camp and I always look forward to going and seeing old friends. I enjoy meeting new people, the activities, and being a happy camper!

Camp means I have somewhere to go where other people are the same as I am, a kid with a heart condition. Camp lets me know there are other kids with heart conditions out there living close to me. I don't know of anyone in my school with a heart condition, so going to camp makes me realize I'm not as different as I thought I was.

Camp is important to me because I enjoy having the opportunity to go and hang out with other heart kids! I'm grateful to Mary and Rob for starting Merry Heart Children's Camp for kids like me. I may have a heart condition, but I'm still a kid that likes to have fun!

Camp Stories: "Good Memories and a Full Heart"

Kyleen, center, with campers at the 2019 camp

I have been a counselor at Merry Heart Children's Camp for 6 years. 

Before volunteering at Merry Heart I never talked about my heart condition and hid it from the world. In my time there I have not only grown to love and feel empowered by my congenital heart defect (CHD), but the members of camp and fellow volunteers have become like family.

The look on my campers' faces when they learn that I too, as their counselor, have CHD and have also had open heart surgery, is priceless. To be able to watch kids, who once, like me, did not know another soul with CHD, get to interact with others like them, truly warms my little CHD heart.

Every year is better than the last. Rob and Mary do an amazing job every year putting on such a spectacular camp. With a group of the most dedicated volunteers that I am so lucky to be apart of.

I truly look forward to camp every year. At this camp, not only are kids meeting other kids (and counselors) like them and learning about their heart, but they are becoming empowered in the process.

Every year I leave camp with good memories, a full heart, wide smile and watery eyes, counting down the days we all get to be together again.

Merry Heart will always be my second home, where I get to be apart of the most wonderful organization that lets kids just like me go to camp.
 

Kyleen "Hatter" Carter