camp twitch and shout.

how do i even start to describe camp twitch and shout?  a camp full of 117 campers with tourettes plus 69ish volunteers [about 30 with tourettes] has got to be exciting, right?  people would think that tourette's camp would be amazing, stressful, and chaotic.  what most people don't know [unless they've experienced it for themselves] is that camp is an inspirational place where most people come to realize that fortunate they are.  

a lot of people ask me "so what do you do at tourette's camp?  do you sit around and talk about what it's like to have tourette's?"  AND HERE IS THE ANSWER : no, we don't talk about our feelings -- it's NOT a therapy session.  camp twitch and shout is a normal camp with normal camp activities where children with tourette syndrome can go and feel normal for 6 days of the year.  most of you don't know what it's like to have to explain your tics every time you meet someone new, and most of you probably don't know what it's like to be made fun of for something you can't control.  this is what kids at camp experience -- a whole 6 days of not having to explain their twitches or being made fun of!  at camp people actually accept you for who you are, because the one thing campers are picked on for in the real world is the common denominator that makes everyone similar!  IT'S A FREAKING MARVELOUS THING! 

i had the pleasure of being 1 of 4 counselors for the 10-11 year old boys.  [YEA GREEN 2!]  my co-counselors were 2 teaching fellows from north carolina and 1 latvian guy who biked to atlanta, georgia from bronx, new york.  talk about intense...  so the 4 of us had 8 boys who i wish i had pictures of but i don't because my disposable camera hasn't been developed yet.  these boys touched our hearts, made us cry, and reiterated the fact that yes, i do want to be an accountant and work in an office with my own cubicle and air condition.  not because i didn't love my boys, because I DO with all of my heart, but because after camp is over, you realize why camp is only 6 days.  i just don't have the passion and energy it takes to be a teacher.  that's all.  my boys [lazarus, nick, andrew, josh, ty, t.d., james, and cole] all made camp the adventure it was.  the amazing, AMAZING experience that will continue to be my favorite week of the year.  i think most volunteers will agree that camp is something that has to be experienced in order to fully understand.

and since i didn't go to camp when i was younger, i think i sometimes have more fun than the kids.  so here are some of my "firsts" at camp.  

MY FIRST TIME

-- fishing

-- catching a fish!!!

-- canoeing

-- paddle boating

-- shooting a bow and arrow at archery [and failing]

-- climbing half-way up a rock wall [which is an accomplishment in itself]

-- dancing and making a fool out of myself [maybe i've done this before...]

-- star gazing

-- hanging out in a teepee

-- getting bitten to death my mosquitoes on my ankles [solely on my ankles]

-- tie-dying

-- running around the petting zoo trying to catch a chicken

and i owe camp twitch and shout the biggest THANK YOU for allowing me to be a counselor.  and for helping me [indirectly] getting my life back.  

here's a video that might semi-help you grasp how amazing camp is.  just maybe   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvXHsdI3CGw