New Core Memory: Dashel’s Adventure at Kidney Camp

This summer, Dashel had an incredible experience that we will never forget: he spent two weeks at a “kidney-friendly” camp. For that time, he got to enjoy all the classic joys of summer camp—archery, bonfires, arts and crafts, silly bunk traditions—while still having the care and support his health requires. A nurse checked in on him every day, but what made the biggest difference was that he wasn’t set apart or treated differently. He was fully mainstreamed with his bunkmates, sharing the same activities, the same laughter, the same cabin life.

Every year, this remarkable program — located at the Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville, N.Y. — integrates about 40 children with kidney disease, kidney impairment, or kidney transplants into daily camp life. These kids are seamlessly woven into the broader camp community, rather than separated out. For Dashel, as you can imagine, this was an incredibly meaningful opportunity.

We learned about this program through Judy Eichiner, a member of our congregation, Temple Emeth. Judy’s grandmother helped spearhead the program half a century ago. “My sister always dreamed of going to sleepaway camp but couldn’t because of her illness,” Judy shared recently. “She was very jealous when her friends and I went away to camp.” Thanks to her family’s vision, generations of kidney kids like Dashel now have the chance to experience camp life to the fullest.

For Dashel, one of the highlights came on the final night of camp, when all 800 campers gathered around a giant bonfire. Before the event, counselors asked if anyone wanted to perform. Dashel’s bunkmates, who had noticed he’d brought his flute to camp but hadn’t yet played it, encouraged him: “Dashel, why don’t you play something?” He thought about it, and then said, “I could play the national anthem.”

So that’s what he did. Dashel kicked off the camp’s closing celebration by playing the Star-Spangled Banner on his flute. Hundreds of campers put their hands on their hearts and sang along as the fire crackled. For him, it became a core memory moment.

As parents, we are profoundly grateful that such a place exists. Dashel came home with new friends, great stories, and the gift of simply being a kid.

If you’d like to read more about how special this camp is, check out this beautiful article: Being Normal at Sleepaway Camp, or learn more about the Ruth Gottscho Kidney Foundation, which helps make the program possible.