Retreat has therapeutic benefits
YOUNG PEOPLE with serious medical conditions enjoyed activities including climbing, archery, swimming, a circus and a bonfire during a weekend away in Kent organised by Camp Simcha.
The social aspect was especially important, given “the rare opportunity to make friends with other children who understand what they are going through”, explained Camp Simcha’s Daniel Gillis. The mother of a girl who had attended the weekend following cancer treatment said it had given her a major boost.
“Missing quite a bit of school during her treatment really knocked her confidence in her abilities. But she came back from the retreat telling us about
the things she did and how good she was at them.
“At school she just wants to be normal. But with others who have been through tough times, she felt she was in a safe place to talk.”