The ELPIDA Youth Summer Camp was successfully organised for the 3rd year running by the ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with Cancer, with the support of the ELPIDA Youth Committee, at the facilities of “The Ranch” in Sofiko, Corinth, from 21 to 31 August 2019.
A total of 115 children took part in this year’s camp, including cured children as volunteer team leaders. In fact, this was the first time that we also hosted 10 children with 2 escorts from the ELPIDA Foundation of Cyprus.
The experienced ELPIDA team, headed by Mrs Anna Panagopoulou, Director of the ELPIDA Guest House and Mr Dimitris Nanis, Director of the Psychosocial Service of the Guest House, as camp leader, had organised a programme full of surprises for the young campers.
Climbing, biking, horse-back riding, archery, forest treks, art workshops, music, dancing and singing were only some of the activities that entertained the children.
Throughout the 10 days of the camp, the children were able to experience unique moments, which helped in raising their self-esteem and self-confidence, while they also had the chance to forge new friendships.
We would like to warmly thank the Volunteer Firemen of Sofiko, for the unique night-tour of the forest which was highly exciting for the young campers , Mrs Virginia Kokkinou for her unique storytelling, Mr Thanos Daskalopoulos for the sessions of empowerment that he offered, and the RETURN TO MUSIC youth rock band from Nea Moudania, Halkidiki, for their fun concert.
A sincere thank you also to the Greek Red Cross, which for the third year made available two nurses and an ambulance throughout the duration of the camp, and to Dr Natalia Tourkantoni of the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis-ELPIDA Children’s Oncology Unit, for her support during these ten days.
We would also like to thank the employees and the Management of The Ranch, who hosted us for the third time, and cheerfully made sure that all the activities were impeccably organised.
Finally, a huge thank you to the sponsors who supported our effort this year:
Sklavenitis, THE BODY SHOP, Stefanakis group, NAKAS, Mrs Sofia Giannikopoulou and Mr Zafeiris Fotiadis.
