Ben’s Trip to Camp

Each year NF Midwest provides the opportunity for families to apply for scholarships for their son or daughter to attend a summer camp experience specifically for youth affected by NF.  We want to highlight one youth’s experience this year at Camp Brainy Ridge Camp NF located in St. George, Virginia.

We asked Ben and his family to answer some questions about his time at camp. Here are a few of his answers!

• What was your favorite part of camp? The pool and making friends.
• What was your favorite activity or camp event? Playing gaga ball.
• What was the most challenging thing you faced at camp? Falling asleep at night.
• What was the biggest takeaway from your camp experience? Dirty clothes. I learned more about NF.

Ben’s mom also shared that he came back with more confidence and willingness to talk about his NF diagnosis. Ben’s mom told him that he found a whole new community and he replied, “No, it’s a family.”

The summer camp experience for any youth can be a powerful, positive change opportunity.  It’s more so with youth with NF.  They connect with other youth; as Ben shared, it’s a family.

We want to thank those who have donated to support NF Midwest. Through that support, youth like Ben can attend camp and have these experiences which make them more confident and connect with others.

Remember, as Ben says, it’s not just a community. “No, it’s a family.”

For more information about Camp Brainy Ridge, visit their site https://www.brainyridge.com/camps.