Camp Guardian Continues to Touch Lives of Campers and Volunteers

For over 30 years, National Guardmembers, family and friends, have helped provide camping and learning experiences for special needs children and adults at Camp Guardian.

According to camp co-directors Wanda Hrenchir and Julie Brenton, 90 percent of the camp's volunteers serve with the National Guard or are family members of Guardsmen. They said that volunteers are always needed, whether it is for the entire week or just one day.

Hrenchir became involved several years ago when her son was a camper. Although her son has grown up and now volunteers himself, she has remained heavily involved with the program.

"The campers are treated like normal kids," said Hrenchir. "There are no peers to judge them."

Brenton and her husband, Master Sgt. Brian Brenton, along with their son and two daughters, have volunteered for several years. Brian got involved with the camp while serving in the Air National Guard at Whiteman Air Force Base.

"If volunteers come once, they come back," said Hrenchir. "I guarantee it."

"It's addictive," said Brenton. "I'm not sure who enjoys it more, us or the kids."

Every volunteer has his or her own reasons for getting involved. Lt. Col. Maggie Stephens, a registered nurse who serves with the 131st Medical Group in St. Louis, volunteered at the camp for the first time this year. She said her time serving as a camp nurse has already had a tremendous impact on her.

"It's a home environment," said Stephens. "Just like the Guard is my family, this camp is like another home. Just like in the Air Force, we are one team, one fight."

Retired Army Guardsman Mike Gunther has been volunteering with Camp Guardian for over 15 years. Gunther has an adult daughter with spina bifida which led him to help with the camp when she was younger.

"This is the best bunch of volunteers to work with," said Gunther. "Everybody is loving and caring. You can't beat ‘em."

Gunther said that Camp Guardian offers a different pace and focus for each camper.

"A camper's biggest wish is to be normal," said Gunther. "We try to provide a normal experience, especially for their needs."

Maj. Gen King Sidwell, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, offered Soldiers and Airmen, as well as technicians and state employees, time off to those who lent support to the camp.

Campers start at eight years old and there is no age limit. The oldest camper this year was 83. There is also no charge to attend the camp. Camp Guardian relies on generous contributions and donations. It is made possible by National Guard volunteer fundraising events and Combined Federal Campaign contributions.

 

Source: http://stjoechannel.com/search-fulltext?&nxd_id=34731