Engine Travels To Camp Curious in Somerset Lake
Date: August 3, 2008
By: Firefighter John Morris IV
On July 30, 2008 Engine 23-3 along with Ambulance 23-2 traveled to Somerset Lake to meet with members and staff of Camp Curious. Upon arrival the campers got to check out the apparatus and squirt the fire hose. The campers also got to give Mascot Swift in full P.P.E. and S.C.B.A. a "high five" so they could see that an interior firefighter is not scary. Mrs. Lustig, a co-founder for the camp was nice enough to write up an article about the camp and how you can help fight cancer.
By: Mrs. Nancy Lustig
Camp Curious began as a camp to play with children two to five years of age in the summer of 2006, after my mother, Ann Director, died of pancreatic cancer. My older daughter, Shoshanna Lustig, and her friend, Sarah Smith, hosted 6 kids in the Smith basement and back yard for a week. The counselors and very generous parents raised $357 which was donated to the American Cancer Society, specifically for pancreatic cancer research.
Last year, Kierstin Anderson and Nathan Smith joined the girls, and more children came. Our goal was to raise twice the amount of the previous year. However, camper parents along with our friends and family from all over the country donated beyond the Camp tuition, and we raised over $2700.
The local Kennett newspaper featured their Camp, and so did the American Cancer Society's South Eastern Pennsylvania chapter and a statewide chapter newsletters. The girls later received plaques from the American Cancer Society for their work.
In early November, the Smith family moved to Michigan, much to our chagrin. But, in January 2008, Shoshanna, Sarah and Kierstin began coordinating Camp for this summer. Calls, e-mails and texting began.
Camp Curious, now in its third year, has 22 campers. We added more counselors: Lauren Carroll,
Rebecca Lustig and Wyatt Anderson. Even the youngest Smith child, Anna, is helping. Due to our growth, we now host Camp Curious at the Somerset Lake Clubhouse. Each day activities are geared around different themes, which vary from year to year. The campers swim, do arts and crafts, listen to stories, and play in forts. Our first day saw an impromptu freeze dance contest. Tuesday is Magical Adventure Day. Wednesday, Career Day, features a local policeman with his car, firemen with their truck, and EMT's with their ambulance. Thursday is Animal Day and Friday, is always in Ocean Day.
We are so proud of these counselors and appreciate our community's generosity. A local artist, Amy Cziraky, embroidered the Camp curious staff T-shirts for free. Prima's pizza, now the official pizzeria of Camp Curious, will donate pizza for our lunch this Wednesday. The Avon Grove Sun, a local newspaper, featured the Camp on their front page last week.
My mother, and all of those we memorialized last year, who died at the hands of this vicious disease, are all smiling down at us. If you are interested in making a donation to support the Camp's goal of raising money for pancreatic cancer research, you can write a check to the American Cancer Society and mail it to me,
Nancy Lasson Lustig,
1029 St Georges Lane
Landenberg PA 19350
If there is someone you would like to remember, please write their name on the memo line of the check. I would love to say we have a new goal of doubling what we made last year, but I really just want to make a dent in this devastating disease.
Thanks again for reading this and we hope you will consider making a donation.
With love, great sincerity and so much appreciation,
Nancy
Units: Engine 23-3, Ambulance 23-2
*******************************************Thanks to Mrs. Lustig for the pictures!**
Campers look on as FF. Morris IV describes.............Engine 23-3 Chauffeur Howell looks on as
the steps Mascot Swift is taking to don his SCBA......Mascot Swift turns on his SCBA
FF. Morris IV helps a camper squirt the hose......Mascot Swift, FF. Morris IV and Social Member
............................................................................Teoli pose for a picture with the campers
Mascot Swift gets a BIG "High 5"!.........................Future Firefighter?!?
