Camp Discovery

Back in the day, I was interested in attending some sort of summer camp, and was envious whenever friends or family would go. I remember my brother Aaron coming home from scout camps and recounting all his experiences while being away from home, being outdoors, making new friends and getting involved in all sorts of activities like swimming in the lake, hiking, archery and so forth—seeing things that you can’t find in our little town. I soon realized that they were also things that I physically could not participate in, nor could I leave the medical attention I received daily at home from my parents. Here was another desire that I would have to surrender to the drop box of “things EB kids can’t do.”

In the summer of 2001, I recalled that submission when I first volunteered as a counselor for Camp Discovery at Camp Knutson in Crosslake Minnesota. This beautiful woodland retreat in the mid-west lacked no appeal from my childhood vision of a summer camp, but in fact, was in a more beautiful setting than I could have imagined. The facilities were quite impressive, with the most pleasing aspect being the accommodations extended to all sorts of special needs. Campers do not leave camp feeling gypped because they didn’t get to do what their friends do at camp. The two sessions I attended were filled with excitement, with boat rides, water tubing, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, archery, fishing, crafts, and more.

In the midst of this tranquil setting on the Camp K peninsula, the most attractive feature that made camp an experience of a lifetime was the people. Camp Discovery is a camp designed for children with chronic skin disorders. This is truly a unique event, as campers come from all over America, and even internationally, to unite with those who hold so much in common. With such rare occurrences of chronic skin disorders, many of these campers had never seen or met anyone else who could understand. To appreciate what it is like to meet this way, I can only describe as maybe growing up on a planet that the stork found on his way to…the north-star, a planet that is overrun with aliens. Then, one day you hear of a meeting with people just like you. It’s like finding your family.
—jamie

Camp Discovery is sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology who, in the past, has been able to send campers on full scholarships that include air fare and transportation to Camp K. In the year 2000, a second session of camp was created, designed for teens with skin disorders; but this camp could not be sponsored by the AAD. It is run solely by donations from people who understand the need for kids—especially at this age—who want to feel accepted and be with people they can relate to. By 2002, Teen Camp was in such demand that they simply could not accommodate all who applied to attend.

When I go to camp, I relax and I feel like I can be myself completely. All of my best friends are from camp, namely Jamie Gibson and Katie Smith. Everyone's so different yet so the same. It's heaven on earth.
—Margaret Frost

I think camp is a great place to go. There is so many fun activities indoors and outdoors to do. Meeting new friends is one of the coolest! I love to be there to have fun and especially see my friends! Fun is the most important thing ; you always fit in.
—Lindsay Johnson

In my life there has always been a reason why I couldn't do this or that, I have never been able to make friends easily for the simple fact that I look different. At camp I don't have to worry about those things at camp everyone has something physically wrong with them so you don't have to hide at camp you can just be you.
—Kara Blust

My life changed when I went to camp discovery as a staff member for the first time in the summer of 1997. I saw a community form during that week based on love, acceptance and fun! It wasn't a community that was limited to that week however, as friendships formed that continued to grow throughout the year in between. I was hooked! Coming back every year since I have had the joy of watching some of those campers from my first year grow and eventually become junior staff themselves so they may spread the joy of camp to new waves of campers every year. Not only are the people that come to camp discovery so fortunate, but the larger world is also made into a better place as the lessons and joy of camp spread outward through the lives of those touched by camp discovery.
—Thom

Camp is my favorite place on earth to go because no one judges each other and great friendships are made like the one between me and Novelette, a fellow poet and wonderful friend. We keep in touch all year through e-mail and help each other through our hard times. I can't wait to see her again this summer. We always have the best time!
—Cristina Perez

"Since I'm in pain constantly, I've learned to try my best to ignore feeling uncomfortable, but there are times I just can't do that. This is my 2nd year at Camp Discovery. Here, it's hard to single out things that we do because from my opinion, the activities are so much fun, along with all the boats; everyday is different."
—Justin

"This is my 1st time at camp. Here we eat good, have fun, and meet people like us."
—Carlos

"I think Camp is a good experience because it has allowed me to meet others with alopecia and people with more severe skin conditions. Everyone always has an upbeat attitude and a smile on their face."
—Kallan



Camp Discovery Slide Show