A much needed break was provided for grandparents who raise their grandchildren, as well as the youngsters, themselves, all who received a complimentary week at summer camp made possible by the Family Caregiver program with Sampson’s Department of Aging, the Shaggin’ for Santa fund-raising, Liberty Home Care and Hospice Services and Holly Grove Church.

Grandchildren raised by their senior grandparents went to Ambassador Camp, located at Lake Waccamaw, according to Lesia Henderson with the Department of Aging.

The goal of sending the youngsters to camp was two-fold, Henderson explained. First, it was meant to provide “a time of respite for these grandparents as the children spent the week of July 12 at camp.” Simultaneously, the grandkids benefited as well, as they were able to have some time away and get to do something “they may otherwise not get to do.”

This year’s third annual camp trip served 12 children. Henderson sees such importance in this project that she always asks for budget funds within the department to send the youngsters to camp. “They’re senior citizens plus grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. We provide them with certain services (within the Family Caregiver Support program) because their budget is fragile, limited, it’s a shoestring,” Henderson said of the program’s mission.

Henderson stated that of the two programs she manages, the Family Caregiver Support program is the “biggest part of my heart.” And, allowing the opportunity for the youngsters to go to camp is “important,” she feels, because due to the fixed income of these grandparents, the grandchildren “would have never had the opportunity to do this otherwise.”

In addition to budget funds from the Department of Aging, the camp trip was also made possible through Shaggin’ for Santa funds. Transportation was provided by Holly Grove Church and Liberty Home Care and Hospice Services, whose staff also provided gas money for the trip. Also, chaplain Roy Hilburn and Marie Vann of Liberty’s staff tagged along to serve as volunteer chaperones for the week of camp.

Some of the grandmothers whose grandchildren went on the camp trip attested that the week was good for them and for the youngsters.

Linda McNeil’s 9-year-old grandson Tony McNeil accepted Christ as his Savior on the trip, learned to swim and went boating for the first time, the grandmother reported. “It was an adventure for him. He’s already asking to go back next year.” As for the grandmother, the week was “the best respite of rest I’ve had since I’ve had him (for the last eight years). It’s the best program they’ve ever come up with ... It was just a very good thing. A good thing.”

Grandmother Carol Vann agreed. Although she was nervous about sending her 12-year-old granddaughter, Tiana, off to camp for the first time, they were both glad she did. Vann said her granddaughter adjusted and “made friends really quick.” At camp, she accepted Christ and was able to relate with some encouraging counselors, Vann noted. She concluded, “(Summer camp) is an opportunity I think any child who can should take. I didn’t have that opportunity. Tiana is already looking forward to going back next year.”

Essee Rich was also “afraid” to send her 12-year-old granddaughter Courtney to camp, but “she wanted to go so bad ... and she enjoyed it and said she had a good time.” When asked what she thought of the week of respite, Vann replied, “Oh, it was nice ... She’s not no trouble but I was glad for her to go, for her and for me.”

Sonja McNeil called the week “helpful” and a “relief.” She pointed out that although she expects no rewards or recognition for what she does, it is a nice gesture that the Departmentof Aging and community supporters can help by providing this trip. “The community shows appreciation for what we do and I appreciate that because we are overlooked and it’s not like the government pays us.” Of her three grandchildren, one, 10-year-old Zion Smith, attended the camp. “It not only gives us a break,” the grandmother commented, “but it gives them a break from us so they can learn some independence.” She, too, hopes the program will continue to be available.

For more information about the Family Caregiver Support program contact Lesia Henderson at 910-592-4653.

To contact Amy Kelly call (910) 592-8137 ext. 119 or send e-mail to sigov@myclintonnc.com.