News Article

FSW State College Students Assist at Camp Boggy Creek for Children with Serious Illnesses

Apr 17, 2015

Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) students in the respiratory therapy program volunteered to serve as camp counselors for a week at Camp Boggy Creek.  Six students spent six days at the camp which offers children who suffer from a variety of illnesses the chance to experience all the joys of camp through assistance and specialized equipment.   

This was the first time that Leslie Alexander, Cerissa Audia, Katie Cation, Melissa Kimbough, Veronica Palacios and Grace Tschuor served as camp counselors, and they were all very excited. 

“Seeing the kids in a different setting other than the hospital or medical facility is nice,” said Audia.  “For some kids this is their first time away from home.”

At Camp Boggy Creek, families are invited to bring their children to experience the activities that other children have in regular camp settings.  Specialized equipment allows all children at Camp Boggy Creek to participate in the various activities, from swimming, archery, crafts, dancing, and more.  Some of the counselors come from all over the country and are either pursuing or have a background in medical care.  While at the camp, parents are able to also enjoy time on their own, while knowing that their children are in good hands and having fun.

“It was so amazing to be part of this experience and witness the kids enjoying themselves in a fun environment,” said Cation. “The girl that I worked with was paralyzed, and to see her participate in the various activities was just amazing.”

“Every day the families and camp counselors ate every meal together as family style,” said Kimbough. “And after each meal, we would all get up and sing and dance.”

Some families have made this an annual event, and in a few cases, the families in attendance have more than one child with special needs.  Camp Boggy Creek focuses on fun activities for the kids, including talent shows, swimming, campfires and more.  The focus for the camp is a fun experience, without a focus on workshops or classes. 

Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving more than 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW will debut its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall 2015.

Last Updated: April 17, 2015