Twenty-six children participated in Carolina Village’s week-long summer day camp Aug. 5-9. The fourth annual camp was for children or grandchildren of Carolina Village employees and residents. Campers were ages 9 to 13.
Camp Activities
Campers participated in a variety of activities, including trips to local highlights. The kids had adventures at Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure Beach, Hendersonville Pinball Museum, Fit Club, Launch Trampoline Park, The Cradle of Forestry, and Elijah Mountain Gem Mining. They hiked, swam, jumped, and played through the entire week of hands-on fun and learning.
Camp goers also interacted with Carolina Village residents. Resident volunteers taught the campers how to play bridge. Residents in the Care and Medical Centers painted rocks with the campers. These rocks were then placed around the campus to bring a smile to the face of those who find them – and who hopefully then re-hide them. A scavenger hunt encouraged positive and fun interaction between the generations. For example, campers politely approached residents who were wearing plaid to ask if they could take a photo for the scavenger hunt. The experience was well-received by both campers and residents. Other resident volunteers went on hikes with the group.
Kevin Parries, Carolina Village Executive Director, led the kids in hands-on activities. These activities also provided lessons in leadership. Parries also takes this same leadership training to students at North Henderson High School through the Leader in Me program.
Perspectives
“It’s always rewarding watching the kids engage with an activity and then to tie that activity back to a lesson in leadership,” said Parries. “They’re having fun but they’re learning at the same time.”
Laura Husak, Wellness Coordinator at Carolina Village, is in her fourth year of coordinating the camp. “I love seeing the kids push through their own barriers,” said Husak. “More than one kid didn’t think they could make the hike up to Chimney Rock, but with a little encouragement, they all did. And at the end of the week, the kids named the Chimney Rock hike as one of their favorite activities. That’s special.”
One camper had another favorite part of the camp. “My favorite part was getting to hang out with kids who have the same interests as me,” she said.
An anonymous donor funds the camp – a Carolina Village resident whose only stipulation is, “Make sure the kids have fun.”
We call that summer camp success.
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About Carolina Village, Inc.
Carolina Village is Hendersonville’s only Type-A Life Care Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), also known as a Life Plan Community. Since opening in 1974, Carolina Village has offered the full continuum of care for seniors – from independent living to assisted living and skilled nursing – on a beautiful, energetic 96-acre campus. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, Carolina Village’s mission is to provide housing, continuing life care, up-to-date service, and a pleasant, congenial social environment to encourage personal growth and community participation without regard to race or religious persuasion. Carolina Village and its volunteer Board of Directors seek to serve the senior population, to provide peace of mind for their long-term care, and to nurture a sense of true community.