It was a long time ago and over sixty years have passed but I still remember walking with other campers at Children’s Beach House (CBH), getting dressed and ready for the day, and then proceeding to the dining room for those wonderful breakfasts. I know it might seem like a small thing but those pancakes are still to this day the best I’ve ever had.
Now 70 years old, I still have wonderful memories of being one of the very fortunate campers at CBH in the 1950s. Of course, I wasn’t there just for the wonderful food, swimming in the bay, and campfires on the beach. I was there as a camper with a special need. Recently visiting CBH and meeting some of the wonderful staff, a lot appears to be the same but obviously much has changed. What has remained the same is a staff whose goal is simply: the kids come first.
Being only 7 years old at the time, I didn’t realize how fortunate I was to spend summers along with other kids, all with our own diverse range of special needs, and with a skilled staff to help each and every one of us. But CBH was more than just a great staff of professional caregivers who helped us all in our childhood, there was also a wonderful domestic staff that took care of the Campers every day. Like any 7-year-old, being away from his or her parents for a long period was difficult, and being homesick was natural. But wow, was I lucky to have Ms. Kate take me under her care. She watched over me, made sure that I knew I was part of her family, made sure I did the right thing (in other words “behave”) and helped me through periods when I sometimes felt alone.
In memory of Ms. Kate Maul and all the great staff in the 1950s and today, we are making a donation to Children’s Beach House to help with a future Camper.
Todd & Donna Collins