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Held
at YMCA Camp Coniston on 1200 acres
surrounding a private lake, in Croydon, NH
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Some
of the best ideas are born at kitchen tables,
with people you have just met...such is the case
for Camp Winning Spirit.
In
the fall of 1995 a chance meeting between a Lifeline
board member and someone at the NH YMCA sparked
what has become the highlight of the year for
most families.
In
August of 1996 the first Camp Winning
Spirit was held at YMCA Camp Coniston,
and it has been a Labor Day tradition since. |
Climbing
Tower!
Archery!
Campfires!
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Each
family gets their own
cabin by the water. |
Camp
Winning Spirit is an extended weekend
for families of children with cancer. Participants
may be presently in treatment, recently off-treatment,
or have on-going concerns related to cancer.
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Camp
Winning Spirit is a time for the whole family
to run & play and have fun together. Children get
to try new things offered by the camp and its caring
staff. Parents have time together and find support from
new and familiar faces who have shared similar struggles
regarding pediatric cancer.
There is a volunteer medical professional on call all
weekend living in the camp infirmary. New London Hospital
is 15 minutes away.
This
annual Labor Day weekend event is a collaboration between
the Childhood Cancer Lifeline of NH and YMCA Camp Coniston
that began in 1996. Camp Winning Spirit
and all of its lodging, food and activities are free
of charge to registered families.
Camp Lodging - Cabins consist of bunk
beds with mattresses and some shelves. Each cabin holds
between 12-16 sleeping spaces. Toilets & showers
are located in one camp shared bathhouse.
Suggested
Packing List:
-
Sleeping bag per person or twin sheets/blankets
-
Pillow
per person
-
1
shower towel, 1 beach towel
-
Toiletries/shampoo,
hairbrush
-
Sneakers
& flip-flops
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Hiking/walking
shoes if you like hiking
-
Jeans
& Sweatshirts for cold nights
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Shorts
& T-shirts for warm days
-
Bathing
suit
-
Raincoat/books
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Alarm
Clock/small radio
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Camera
& film & batteries!
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Flashlight
*Avoid
bringing food into your cabin. Chipmunks, squirrels
and mice will visit you.
*Camp
has refrigerators in the dining hall for you if your
family has special dietary needs.
Weather
Preparation - Weather consists of cool nights
and hot days. Cabins have screens & no glass windows,
so bring warm sleeping attire. Remember to expect the
unexpected! (i.e. Rain)
Camp Meals - All families mingle and
eat together at tables sized for 10+ people. Meals are
served at scheduled times, family style.
Activities
- Program activities change/rotate each morning
and afternoon. Options throughout the weekend include:
archery, tennis, basketball, sailing, swimming, snorkeling,
kayaking, canoeing, Frisbee golf, arts & crafts,
four-square, & wiffleball to name a few!
Friday
Schedule
5:00 families check in
6:00 dinner
7:00 orientation skits in the lodge
Saturday
& Sunday Schedule
8:00 breakfast
9:00 1st program/activity time
10:30 family camp vs. staff games
Noon lunch
1:00 siesta (quiet time in cabins)
1:50 2nd program/activity time
5:00 family time
5:30 dinner
7:00 evening program
9:00 quiet cabin time
Monday
Schedule
8:00 breakfast
9:00 program time
Noon lunch
1:00 checkout
Registration
Registration
is on a first come – first serve basis
with priority going to New Hampshire and Vermont
families until August 15th. Registrations from
other states will be accepted after that time.
For
a Registration Form, please reach us via:
Phone:(603) 645-1489 or email: info@childhoodcancerlifeline.org
We thank YMCA Camp Coniston for their dedicated service to our mission of supporting the families of children with cancer.
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