Creating a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education, advocacy, and support.

Camp Bruce McCoy 2008

Two campers sitting next to each other BIAV recently completed the 25th season of Camp Bruce McCoy at the Triple-R Ranch in Chesapeake, VA. It was great camp weather, allowing for plenty of days in the pool.

Camp would not be possible without some great people and excellent staff and once again BIAV was fortunate enough to get just that! Martha Cosgrove served as the program director until Wednesday of the second week; she did an excellent job and continued to be prepared for just about anything, even her wedding which occurred the Saturday that camp ended. Heather Reed served as head female counselor the first week and then jumped right in as program director the second week. Hugh LaBree and paramedic Daniel Sapp were able to assist us with nursing coverage. Raj Patel and Laura Kiser served as our head counselors and were always ready to go the extra mile. Anne McDonnell was always there with support, wisdom, and, most of all, friendship. I am grateful beyond words to all of them for the many hours they put in before and during camp to ensure that everyone was happy, healthy, and safe. Special thanks to everyone who worked as counselors and attendants. The number of staff applicants grew even more this year with the help of Raj Patel, Dr. Paul Aravich from Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), and the Virginia Commonwealth University Biology Department. As always, we were able to hire some excellent staff including students from James Madison University, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, and Roanoke College. We also had a number of physical and occupational therapists that took time off from their jobs to work at camp again this year.

Camper and counselor showing off fish caught in lake

We would be remiss if we did not thank the hospitals and community businesses that provided support and supplies. Pulaski Community Hospital contributed much needed supplies; Dr. Paul Aravich provided another great education experience for the campers; Pro DJs provided us with karaoke each week; Atlantic Golf Cart supplied golf carts for us again this year; and Cobb Technologies provided our much needed copier. Dr. Nathan Zasler once again served as our medical consultant and was a huge help as always. Gary Steinberg and his wife, Brenda, returned to DJ our dance both weeks; this marks the couple's 14th year of volunteering for this program and dance night is always the highlight of the week. THANK YOU!

Words cannot describe what Camp Bruce McCoy means to so many people. That is why so many of us return year after year, just to touch the lives of these amazing campers and see the smiles on their faces. This year we had a lot of new campers and saw amazing improvements in everyone. One of our new campers said to me, "This is the first time since my accident that I haven't had to be self conscious and I am now around people that are normal and accept me." We are honored each and every year to be able to provide this experience to everyone.

Next year's camp season is tentatively scheduled for May 16-30, 2009. Applications will go out sometime around mid-February. If you know of anyone who might be interested in donating to, attending, or working at camp, please call the BIAV office and let us know!