This June, we were grateful to return to Camp Aranzazu in Rockport, TX for our 10th Annual Camp Brainstorm – and it was our best Camp yet! After nearly two years apart, our campers, counselors, and staff were overjoyed with this year’s homecoming. Campers quickly abandoned their backpacks and sleeping bags in cabins as they rushed to greet old friends and make new ones.

A warm and hilarious welcome from the Camp Aranzazu staff kicked off five days of summer fun! By day two, the campers and counselors were fully immersed in the camp experience. Our campers enjoyed fishing, meeting animals in the nature hut, ziplining, swimming, and the infamous Screamer – a huge swing that makes campers of all ages scream in fear and delight.

“This was his first time away from home, so this was a new experience for him all around. Little did we know he would come back knowing how to swim after another camper took the time to teach him! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts – he had an awesome time and can’t wait to go back!”

– Parents of a Camper

An important part of camp is Epilepsy Ed, an hour-long program lead by pediatric epileptologist Dr. Kate Labiner. Campers learned about seizure types, how medications work and their side effects, and other people with epilepsy like Teddy Roosevelt, Prince, Elton John, and Disney star Cameron Boyce (arguably the most popular amongst our group). Our campers benefitted greatly from Epilepsy Ed; many stated that after speaking with Dr. Kate, as she’s affectionately called, they felt less afraid of their seizures and more comfortable discussing their epilepsy with others.

“Camp Brainstorm was a life-changing experience for our daughter. It helped her learn how to live with her epilepsy diagnosis. As parents, we could not have asked for a better experience for our child and ourselves.”

– Parents of a Camper

Some of the sweetest moments for EFCST staff and Camp Brainstorm counselors to see are the ones where our campers came out of their shells. As their confidence grew throughout the week, they got more and more excited to show off their impressive skills at the Talent Show – and boy did they deliver!

The last night of Camp is always the most emotional. The Dance Party gives everyone a final chance to let loose and enjoy not having to worry about being judged or misunderstood because of their epilepsy diagnosis. They are all just kids having an amazing time with their friends. Heartfelt goodbyes on our last morning brought Camp Brainstorm to a close. We were so sad to see everyone climb into their cars and head back home, but so proud of all they had accomplished over the week. We can’t wait to see everyone again next year!

For more photos from Camp Brainstorm click here.

Learn More About Camp Brainstorm

America Guerrero, a past EFCST intern, explains to readers how Camp Brainstorm helped her overcome her fears and taught her to never let anything stop her from moving forward.

Interested in sponsoring a camper for 2022? Give back here.

Tags:
,,,,