Each summer, a special group of kids come together to have fun and celebrate life. For many of them, it is a week where they get to feel normal if only for a few days. They laugh, play, and do the things their peers do all the while cared and watched over by the doctors and nurses that have become their friends, some consider like family. This special place is called Camp Rainbow and for many it is a chance to be a normal kid and do the things many of the peers get to experience each summer and at the same time connect with others who have experienced the same circumstances. Camp Rainbow is a week-long summer camp for pediatric cancer patients and survivors between the ages of 6-17 in Mississippi. Each year, between 80-100 campers attend the camp that is currently held at Twin Lakes Campground near Florence, MS.
The impact that camp has upon the kids is everlasting. Children who will never be able to walk can fly among the trees on a zip line or swing through the sky on the ropes course. Children who will never be able to play sports due to removal of organs or aggressive treatment are able to kick a soccer ball or play basketball with other kids. Past campers often come back to volunteer as counselors and to strengthen the friendships they’ve made in the past. Camp may only be a few days, but the memories made and the confidence the kids will experience lasts forever.
Paige Scruggs, the Director of Camp Rainbow, is a childhood cancer survivor. She knows firsthand the importance of this camp and what it means to each child that attends year in and year out. She shares more about the camp and what it’s all about with us today.
{Tell me about yourself and how you got involved with Camp Rainbow.}
My name is Paige Scruggs. I was diagnosed with ALL (Leukemia) at the age of 2. I first attended Camp Rainbow as a camper at age 8 and 19 years later, I’m still going. I became a counselor right after graduating from High School and then in February of 2017 became the Director. I am married to Justin Scruggs - a former camper and current counselor. We were diagnosed with ALL at the same time (I was 2 - he was 6). He’s been attending Camp Rainbow for 24 years. He relapsed at age of 18 and has been in remission for about 10 years now.
{What do the kids do at Camp Rainbow?}
We have a lot of different activities available for the campers - archery (provided by Bowhunters of Mississippi), Ropes/Rock wall, swimming, lake activities, arts and crafts, disc hockey, hammock land. We host a dance, have movie/game night, s’mores night, talent show, awards ceremony. It’s your typical summer camp activities, however we tailor it to our campers!
{How is Camp Rainbow funded?}
We provide the funding for the campers by fundraisers. We also have donors who donate money and supplies for camp, and we are thankful for their help in providing this camp opportunity. We do not have the campers/family pay anything. It’s approximately $500.00 per camper so each year we have to raise around $30,000 to be able to host camp.
{Camp Rainbow is such a special and unique place. What makes it so special to you?}
I love being a part of Camp Rainbow because it’s like I’m able to give back to these children what my counselors gave to me when I was a camper. It’s crazy to think that some of my best friends now are some of my former counselors. If you ask around, a lot of the counselors have been coming for years and they keep coming back because Camp Rainbow is special. We have the best kids and the best time at camp.
{Is there a moment/memory that sticks out to you that reminds you why you are a part of it?}
It’s so hard to pick out one moment or memory that reminds me as to why I’m still a part of it. Camp has been in my life for 19 years now, I can’t imagine a year when it’s no longer in my life. I hope that one day when we have kids, our children are able to be counselors - that’s how much love we all have for this camp. It’s a family. I can’t pick and choose a particular memory/moment. It was, however, pretty special for me to get engaged to Justin at camp - so that’s pretty high on my list of favorite moments at camp.
“We don’t want to hoard all these wonderful memories to ourselves! We encourage others to get involved! Funding is important, and we are grateful for everyone who joins alongside us in the pursuit of not just a few days of camp, but the opportunity to help change lives,” smiles Paige.
For more information on this amazing camp and how you can help, please visit Camp Rainbow’s website at www.camprainbowms.com
The impact that camp has upon the kids is everlasting. Children who will never be able to walk can fly among the trees on a zip line or swing through the sky on the ropes course. Children who will never be able to play sports due to removal of organs or aggressive treatment are able to kick a soccer ball or play basketball with other kids. Past campers often come back to volunteer as counselors and to strengthen the friendships they’ve made in the past. Camp may only be a few days, but the memories made and the confidence the kids will experience lasts forever.
Paige Scruggs, the Director of Camp Rainbow, is a childhood cancer survivor. She knows firsthand the importance of this camp and what it means to each child that attends year in and year out. She shares more about the camp and what it’s all about with us today.
{Tell me about yourself and how you got involved with Camp Rainbow.}
My name is Paige Scruggs. I was diagnosed with ALL (Leukemia) at the age of 2. I first attended Camp Rainbow as a camper at age 8 and 19 years later, I’m still going. I became a counselor right after graduating from High School and then in February of 2017 became the Director. I am married to Justin Scruggs - a former camper and current counselor. We were diagnosed with ALL at the same time (I was 2 - he was 6). He’s been attending Camp Rainbow for 24 years. He relapsed at age of 18 and has been in remission for about 10 years now.
{What do the kids do at Camp Rainbow?}
We have a lot of different activities available for the campers - archery (provided by Bowhunters of Mississippi), Ropes/Rock wall, swimming, lake activities, arts and crafts, disc hockey, hammock land. We host a dance, have movie/game night, s’mores night, talent show, awards ceremony. It’s your typical summer camp activities, however we tailor it to our campers!
{How is Camp Rainbow funded?}
We provide the funding for the campers by fundraisers. We also have donors who donate money and supplies for camp, and we are thankful for their help in providing this camp opportunity. We do not have the campers/family pay anything. It’s approximately $500.00 per camper so each year we have to raise around $30,000 to be able to host camp.
{Camp Rainbow is such a special and unique place. What makes it so special to you?}
I love being a part of Camp Rainbow because it’s like I’m able to give back to these children what my counselors gave to me when I was a camper. It’s crazy to think that some of my best friends now are some of my former counselors. If you ask around, a lot of the counselors have been coming for years and they keep coming back because Camp Rainbow is special. We have the best kids and the best time at camp.
{Is there a moment/memory that sticks out to you that reminds you why you are a part of it?}
It’s so hard to pick out one moment or memory that reminds me as to why I’m still a part of it. Camp has been in my life for 19 years now, I can’t imagine a year when it’s no longer in my life. I hope that one day when we have kids, our children are able to be counselors - that’s how much love we all have for this camp. It’s a family. I can’t pick and choose a particular memory/moment. It was, however, pretty special for me to get engaged to Justin at camp - so that’s pretty high on my list of favorite moments at camp.
“We don’t want to hoard all these wonderful memories to ourselves! We encourage others to get involved! Funding is important, and we are grateful for everyone who joins alongside us in the pursuit of not just a few days of camp, but the opportunity to help change lives,” smiles Paige.
For more information on this amazing camp and how you can help, please visit Camp Rainbow’s website at www.camprainbowms.com
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{Blog post by Jill Dale. A special thank you to Camp Rainbow for the pictures.}
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