Sooo... we might have gotten a BIT carried away with pictures on this assignment. Just a warning. It was just... awesome.
Today was a picture perfect day to take an hour road trip to Perryville, Kentucky, where we tried our best to visually capture the beauty of this site amongst the rolling hills of the Bluegrass.
Today was a picture perfect day to take an hour road trip to Perryville, Kentucky, where we tried our best to visually capture the beauty of this site amongst the rolling hills of the Bluegrass.
Camp Horsin' Around has been in operation for 4 years and is rapidly expanding every year. It is a summer camp for kids with compromised health, ranging from those with Autism to Cancer. This is the first full year since the dining hall will be finished this time around. We came to help get things set up and unfortunately due to the timing of the project, we were not able to work with the kids since they will start to arrive in June.
Steve (yeah, him again! I think he is following me..) tagged along to meet Bev Lee, Camp Director, who was anxiously awaiting our arrival and ready to put us to work. Originally from Chicago, she has opened these camps all over the country and even, perhaps most memorably, in Ireland. She glows as she tells us stories about the children she has met over the years.
The pond, Bev tells us, is completely stocked with fish. The kids are told about the food chain and how the bigger fish eat the smaller fish. This has turned now into a tall tale, and there is now a "400 pound fish" living in the pond. The kids go fishing with a goal to catch this whale of a creature, which is obviously fictitious (never mind the fact I said "wow, really?" when she first told us this. Oops.) Bev tells the story of one child who said he had the fish on the line once, and he pulled and pulled but he just couldn't bring it in because it was so strong! He was so sad to say that it was let go. We laugh and enjoy more stories as the day goes on, each one equally adorable.
Some of the stories are more heartwarming and simply a joy to hear. One child, she tells us, was nonverbal other than shouting "AHH!" every so often due to his condition. When he was taken out on the pond in a little boat one day, he was silenced by the serenity of the experience. When he was back on shore later, he started singing "Row, Row, Row your Boat." He had never once sung before.
With all of the talking, I promise that we did do some work! Our assignment today was to start to wrap up the dining hall, which was recently completed. The floors needed vacuumed, swept, and mopped as well as a bit of trash gathering and organization. With this giant space, it took us nearly 4 hours to clean this space up between all of us and it still needs work. Steve took to mopping the entire dining hall while I tackled the shop vac.
We also weren't sure about this room... Steve ponders here how not to electrocute both of us.
We finally got the floor mopped and as much of the kitchen swept and vacuumed.... then, the fun began!
From this point, we got a tour on "the Gator" of the entire camp. Bev took us around and showed us where they plan to expand with a petting zoo, more hiking, the possibility of a stable, as well as many other things. Steve and I were just beaming to be out in this beautiful Kentucky sunshine!
The campus holds several bunks with absolutely beautiful furniture designed by Rocky Top. There is a basketball court, rock climbing wall, an outdoor pavilion, a fully stocked pond, hiking trails, and so much more.
The Band Aid Room was beautifully decorated and provides everything from a band-aid to chemotherapy.
Bev drove us down to the creek and showed us the handicapped-accessible swinging bridge that was unfortunately taken out by a recent storm. If we had more time or came back another day, a project would be to get this cleaned up so it can be reattached.
So... we may have been a little fascinated by the creek. Bev told us about the presence of geodes, which I have actually never found before. I was suddenly on a mission to find one, so the expedition began!
We spent the next 45 minutes playing in the creek, looking for these special rocks, and launching them at bigger rocks to crack them open. (With my normal bad luck, I wasn't surprised that my bad aim resulted in breaking my toe open... but any who...)
I'm not sure what kind of important work we were inevitably keeping Bev from back in her office, but if she needed to be busy, she didn't tell us! She happily played photographer while we acted like kids in the creek throwing rocks around.
I'm not sure what kind of important work we were inevitably keeping Bev from back in her office, but if she needed to be busy, she didn't tell us! She happily played photographer while we acted like kids in the creek throwing rocks around.
We finally found some!
Mission accomplished, we headed back to camp.
I had told Bev along the ride that I hadn't ridden a horse since I have been in Kentucky, and that it was a part of my Lexington Bucket List before I leave for San Francisco. When we went to leave, she told me she could help me with that, and said "wanna ride a horse?" We laughed when we realized she meant Champ, the painted horse that greets campers as they come up the hill for camp. We said, "well YES!" Anything for another silly picture.
I had told Bev along the ride that I hadn't ridden a horse since I have been in Kentucky, and that it was a part of my Lexington Bucket List before I leave for San Francisco. When we went to leave, she told me she could help me with that, and said "wanna ride a horse?" We laughed when we realized she meant Champ, the painted horse that greets campers as they come up the hill for camp. We said, "well YES!" Anything for another silly picture.
We had such a wonderful time today that we agreed we would come back either before camp started or once the kids start to arrive. With the amount of fun we had today in an empty camp, we know that it will be such a memorable experience being able to work and play with the children in June. Until then, thank you to Bev and Hank (who was not there today) for sharing this amazing place with us. I can't wait to come back and see it in full operation!
Well... I must not have had my animal fill after riding the plastic horse. I stopped on the side of the road on the way home to pet some cows, but my incessant moo-ing did not impress these guys nor lure them close enough for me to touch.
Tell Me More about Camp!
In mid 2002, a small group of central Kentuckians founded a non-profit (501 (c) (3)), recruited a board of directors, began seeking donations and started looking for land. The result is now a 191-acre property located in Kentucky's Boyle and Mercer Counties that will provide permanent camping facilities necessary for children whose health is compromised. The site includes cabins, a fully-equiped medical clinic, open air pavillion for activities, a dining hall, and additional activity areas including a pool.
Mission
Camp Horsin’ Around supports organized groups to provide an outdoor camp adventure for children whose health is compromised or who have special needs.
Values
Horsin’ Around
Organized and Excellent
Responsible and Efficient
Safety and Structure
Integrity and Accountability
Nurturing and Camaraderie
Camp Horsin’ Around supports organized groups to provide an outdoor camp adventure for children whose health is compromised or who have special needs.
Values
Horsin’ Around
Organized and Excellent
Responsible and Efficient
Safety and Structure
Integrity and Accountability
Nurturing and Camaraderie
How Can I Help?
Volunteer
Most of the groups that come through have their own staff and volunteers, but there are still opportunities. Can you swim? Fish? Email Bev if you think you may be able to contribute to camp this summer.
Donate
Can you donate or provide a service? Camp Horsin' Around is solely funded through grants and donations.
Contact:
Camp Horsin' Around
1159 Claunch Rd.
Perryville, KY 40468
Phone: 859-332-0001
Most of the groups that come through have their own staff and volunteers, but there are still opportunities. Can you swim? Fish? Email Bev if you think you may be able to contribute to camp this summer.
Donate
Can you donate or provide a service? Camp Horsin' Around is solely funded through grants and donations.
Contact:
Camp Horsin' Around
1159 Claunch Rd.
Perryville, KY 40468
Phone: 859-332-0001