Back to reality

Camp Quality Kentuckiana 2016 was another year for the books. With over 70 campers, companions, staff members, and volunteers it really isan amazing thing to watch everyone's efforts come together for such a good cause.

Camp Quality is a home to all of us. Whether its your first year or your 25th everyone just seems to mesh together and come together for a week and all for a common goal- to let kids with cancer be kids again.

To the nurses- these kids and a lot of the companions know you all on such a personal level and love you unconditionaly, thank you. You make this camp so great and give all of us a sense of safety and friendship.

To the staff- programs, cordinators, fundraising, floaters, kitchen staff, directors. This camp couldnt happen each year without you and I think I can speak for all of us when I say thank you for all the selfless work you do and the time and sometimes tears you put into this volunteer position. You are so loved!

To the companions who give up a week of work and vacation time and a week out of their Summer, camp couldnt happen without you. The bonds and the friendships you make between campers and companions is one to envy and something to remember forever.

To the campers, whose ages range from 5-17. I KNOW I can speak for everyone at camp when I say you make us all a better person. To see the smiles and the amazing spirirts you each have to offer- please know how truly incredible you are.

Thank you for keeping up with us through Camp this year! We will be posting throughout the year with news, event information and just information in general for all of you Camp Quality lovers!

Friday Morning- Atlanta!

We got to sleep in a little on our last morning. We finished packing and got breakfast and just took our time this morning. Everyone is in a good mood and is soaking in the last few hours we have of camp quality 2016.

After camp we headed to the arena to watch the graduating seniors take the next step and swing into the next phase after being a camper.

We then watched all the older kids race their hand made boats across the lake and.... The girls won!!! 

We had some free time and most people spent it at the lake and pool. It was nice to have some free time and some time at the waterfront before getting ready for lunch and to head out.

It's so sweet to see the relationships that have formed over the years. Some kids are lucky enough and are able to have the same companion for upwards of 11 years! This camp is a home and it's a home with love, friends and people who have made impacts on everyone- campers, companions and staff.

We want to say a big thank you to Hope from Harper for sponsoring our zip line this year- Harper's lunch and dinner table wanted to take a picture together and send love to Harper. - We love you! 

It's hard to believe we are already at lunch and our last meal at camp 2016. We made sure to sing our meal song extra loud and will soon head to closing ceremonies!

Thursday Night

We had Hubers for dinner and it was the best food I think we have all ever tasted. Southern cooking on our last night was the perfect ending dinner.

Once dinner ended we had a short break for everyone to prep for the talent show. 

The talent show was a full house and we had participation from almost all campers! We had some instruments, some singing, scientific experiments, comedy skits, and even a dance off. It was a great night and everyone had an absolute blast.

The nurses started the night off with a synchronized swimming routine- it was awesome.

Once the talent show ended we headed to our final campfire of the week and we had a big surprise waiting for us.... CINDY! Cindy is usually with us at camp and leads and directs all things music but recently had a baby, so couldn't commit to the whole week but surprised us with a camp fire to remember.

We sang, danced and I'm sure a few happy tears were shed. Campfire is a good place to be and it was the perfect ending to the last night of camp. 

We headed back to our dorms Olympic Games style, and all the campers carried lanterns to light the way.

We are packing now but still have a full morning ahead of us.

Thursday afternoon- Carnival!

After horizontal time we headed to spirit day carnival hosted by our friends from the Child Spirit Inc. They have been coming to us for years and are a constant support for all of us. We see the same faces every year and get a new t-shirt to take home too! 

The rock wall was back again! It gets so hot outside that they try to do a lot of indoor activities but still give us some options to play outside.

There was a DJ and some inflatables, face painting, free goodies, cotton candy, popcorn and more! 

Dinner is up next and it's been kept a surprise all day, but a little birdie just told me that Hubers is coming for dinner!!!!!!!

Adorable

This picture deserves its own post- I am absolutely in love with this picture and the girls in it!

Some new campers making friendships that I'm sure will last for years to come. This pictures and kids truly are worth it all. This camp is here to make kids with cancer feel like kids again and I just want to thank everyone for sending their kids this week- it is truly an honor to know them and get to see their personalities come out throughout the week and to see them enjoying no the little things so much. 

Thursday Morning- Beijing

We started off Thursday with breakfast as normal. It's hard to believe it's already Thursday and our last full day at camp this year. None the less we will party like its the 2008 Olympic Games in China.

Morning activities were packed with activities. Crafts of course was open- the lake and the pool were also open this morning. Some of these kids are just fishes in human bodies, they love the water! It's been really nice this year, the activities have allowed for a lot of lake and pool time and the kids love it.

A huge shout out to WNAS radios in New  Albany- they have been with us every morning this week broadcasting during Morning activities and spreading the word of camp. Campers and companions have gotten to be on the air and talk about their favorite part of camp and just be a radio DJ for a minute.

Archery was also open this morning and the most popular spot of the morning. Some of the kids did really well and hit the target spot on!

The highlight (literally) of the morning was our very own color run! The kids got to go around a small course and get drenched in bright colors and get a little exercise at the same time! Some went one round, others went 5 to get more color! Very cool idea!

Lunch is up next and then our last horizontal time of the week! This afternoon we have our spirit day carnival! 

Wednesday afternoon and evening

After lunch and horizontal time we headed to the pool and to get ready for the dance! 

We had a decent amount of time to hang around and be at the pool and it gave the girls (mainly) enough time to swim and then get ready for the dance.

Every year we have hairdressers come in to help all the girls get ready and do their hair, nails and even give make up advice!

Once everyone had primped and gotten a head start on getting ready, we headed to dinner. And we all know what Wednesday dinner at camp means.....WICKS PIZZA!

Oh it's so good-

They bring us pizza every year at camp and help and donate meals to us through out the year as well. They are very good to us and we are so appreciative of them! 

After dinner and once we all put the finishing touches on our togas, we headed to the Kona Ice truck for a little dessert.

Now onto the dance (Toga Party)

Everyone got into the Athens spirit and dressed up. We had some clever togas- some made from pillow cases, shower curtains, sheets and more.

Once we wrap up the dance we will head to camp fire! I can believe we are already into Wednesday evening of camp week. If goes by so fast but at the same time we settle into this environment like its a second home. I will be back in the morning with campfire pictures and stories! 

Wednesday - Athens

Everyone got plenty of sleep last night and is up and ready for our third full day. Today is Athens themed and that will come into place during the dance tonight which is toga themed!

We started off with breakfast and a little bit of rain outside. I don't think it's supposed to stay around all day, but for now we are sticking to indoor activities. Our first stop of the day was filled with Legos. 

Aiden's Legacy has been coming and contributing to camp for years now and when they stop by we play games, build Legos and they even give every camper and companion a brand new Lego set to take home.

Aiden is a camper here at CQKY and would build Legos while in the hospital and now wants to make sure everyone can build them.

That's not even 1/3 of all the Legos! 

The Johnsons and everyone who helps with Aiden's Legacy are so incredibly sweet and know how important things like Legos can be to a child. They had the campers race to build a smaller Lego set them once they complete it they get to take home a huge box filled with Legos!

Crafts was also open- a good activity for a rainy day. And funny enough we have umbrellas to decorate so the kids can stay dry until the rain goes away.

After lunch today we will have a little bit of pool and lake time and everyone will get ready for the big dance tonight. The girls have been talking about the dance since we got here, so I know it will be a favorite! 

More of Tuesday

We had dinner and then went in separate groups for a movie night. The young kids watched Hercules and the older watched the hunger games. 

the little ones made a box car for a drive in movie type environment- so cute.

The oldest kids had a little outdoor time and stayed busy with the bubble game

It was a low key night and a little bit of relaxation was much needed! 

Tuesday afternoon

Lunch was full of good surprises. We have so many donors, sponsors and people who contribute to camp that it is so good to see them in person during the week of camp. Some of the girls from TriDelta  sorority at Translyvania University stopped by and brought us dessert- thank you! 

We also had a very happy visit from some old friends of ours- these ladies in
the picture below are a huge part of camp and our family and over the years have done so much to help this organization and it is such a joy to see them all. They know all the kiddos and the older companions and it was such a happy reunion! 

After lunch we had one of biggest and most favored events of the week- the pie fight.

We got to meet and see some of the people who helped make the pie fight possible, including the group from the university of Louisville honors society. They hosted a HUGE book and music sale for us this year and we were so happy they could come by and participate in the pie fight!

I absolutely love watching the pie fight. Watching everyone go for each other and the big kids letting the little ones pie them in the face is just so cute.

And of course we have the water truck near by to hose us down-

It's such a fun tradition and the kids, companions and staff look forward to it every year! 

Tuesday Morning- London

We started off Tuesday with a Little bit of a British splash. The nurses and some of the campers and companions pulled out the red and blue and the beetles gear to show spirit for the day. 

After breakfast we started into morning activities which included crafts of course-

The cutest part of camp thus far- we had therapy dogs come by and cuddle and hang out with everyone.

Fishing

We played some games with our friends from the ymca and a few other silly games our activities team came up with. We threw cheese balls into shower caps full of shaving cream, shoved our faces into whip cream looking for life savers and more.

Overall it is a very productive and fun filled morning. It's a little hot but we are staying hydrated and finding shade when we are outside. Today, like every day is a jammed pack full day. We have the pie fight after lunch and a drive in movie after dinner!