Camper Stories

This is the story of the time I had the best summer ever. Double H is the top best camp I’ve ever been to. All the camps that I have been to they let us do work, only went places that they picked out, and we never had any fun time. Until me and my mom went to the Valerie Fund Center, and we found out out Double H. The first time I went there, I got a little homesick. But, when we showed up at Double H I felt welcomed. People were cheering us on, I didn’t have a clue why, and they gave us hugs. I can definitely say that for the past 4 years that I have been at Double H, they have treated me like family, and I really love that about this camp. So I want to say thank you to the Valerie Fund Center, thanks to Double H, and thanks to my mom cause without her I don’t know where I would be. And This is the story of the time I had the best summer ever.

When I was a child, I started going to Double H. I spent 9 years as a camper there. The freedom that I experienced, and the feeling of “fitting in” as a little boy with Spina Bifida was profound on me. When I was a camper at Double H, I looked up greatly to my counselors, and the positive impact that they had, not only on me, but everyone else there. It has inspired me to this day. Now, I volunteer with another organization with their camping program as the camp director, and I still look back to my counselors that I had when I was younger for inspiration on fun ways of interacting with my campers who have their own special circumstances.

Double H Ranch not only gave me the freedom as a little boy to be confident in myself, but it carries with me to this day in leading camping trips with youth who have disabilities. The spirit of camp is something I can never let go.

Nicholas S., who turned six year’s old in December, just made the age cut, and 2008 was his first year of skiing. His dad, Leo did not think that he would be able to do it – “he won’t ride a bike, so why would I think he would ski?” But he loves it. He’s had five opportunities to ski. Nick’s parents make only ‘tentative’ plans on the weekends because, as they tell family and friends, they are on the cancellation list which means if someone cancels at the last minute, they may receive a call that morning that there is a spot for Nick, and they pack their bag and head for the slopes. Lisa and Leo call it the Disney World of skiing.

I just wanted to drop you all a quick note to say thanks for all that you did to make our recent camp (Cindy’s Comfort Camp) such a great success. This was the biggest and best group of Double H staff and volunteers that we had at any of our camps. All the Double H staff, Double H big Buddies, and Double H volunteers not only worked tirelessly to get to know the kids and deliver the program, they also made sure that our campers benefited from the uniquely special spirit of the Summer program. It made such a positive impact on the weekend and the kids. I hope that we are as fortunate in future camps to be able to benefit in this way. Our partnership is so meaningful to me, and it makes me happy and proud to see how it is blossoming. I hope too that we are able to give more volunteers to your other programs. I have some ideas about how to get more people involved.

Again, thanks so much. I look forward to seeing you all over the Winter, in the Spring, and in the Summer. I guess I’m like a bad penny now, I keep turning up!

Gerard Florio, Ph.D
Clinical Health Psychologist
The C.R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital
(Cindy’s Comfort Camp serves children who have a parent or loved one diagnosed with Cancer)

We are confident that you have heard (and read) this before – what a truly wonderful experience you provide at Double H Ranch! We just wanted to take a moment and express our heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone of you for the great time our daughter Melanie had at camp during Session 2. From the very first second upon entering the camp grounds and being greeted with applause and cheering to the tearful singing and hugs good-bye we knew she was in good hands. In fact although you tell people that Double H stands for Health & Happiness – we know the secret (shh – we won’t tell). Double H really stands for Heavenly Hands!

Thank you for making a difference – making a difference in the lives of the campers who attend, like Melanie and also making a difference in the lives of the families too (like ours!). We are telling everyone of Mel’s adventures – whitewater rafting, overnight tent camping, and zip-lining. We have tried to always include Melanie in everything we do – to not let her physical condition prevent her spirit from experiencing all that life has to offer.

She is a blessing to us. She has transformed our lives and so often the lives of those she meets. We have been blessed by all of you – from the nurses, to the maintenance worker, to front office staff, to the board of directors, the corporate partners, to the 2nd grader reading books to raise funds, and especially the wonderful counselors in the Bear Cabin.

Thank you from all of us!
Tim, Valerie, Lisa, Melanie, Andrew & Nicole