7/12/07
Kids fight cancer, have blast at summer camp
By Philip Gibbons

Philip Gibbons/Manning Times

Camp Happy Days Executive Director Laura Rayl takes a moment from the camp’s busy activities to pose with a trio of participants. Camp Happy Days is held annually at the Robert M. Cooper Leadership Center, also known as Camp Bob Cooper.

Everyone knows that the world is sometimes not an easy place to live in. Luckily, there are plenty of people out there who spend their time making the days of the less fortunate a lot brighter.

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Charleston, Happy Days and Special Times is a non-profit organization that supports children with cancer. It is a full-year operation that provides programs of all kinds, from holiday celebrations to trips to Disney World. Its flagship event, however, is Camp Happy Days, which is held annually at Clarendon County’s Camp Bob Cooper.

“Camp Happy Days is a camp that happens every year for cancer victims and their siblings,” said Bill Ellis, one of the main organizers, “There are nonstop activities and it’s a whole week of fun. It helps kids forget about their illness.”

In addition to the regular activities found at Camp Bob Cooper – such as volleyball and golf – Happy Days hosts over a dozen special programs. Each year a different theme headlines the event. This year it was “Up, Up and Away,” an imaginary coast-to-coast traveling adventure.

A drawing of a hot air balloon on the cover of the counselor’s handbook helps explain the concept. This figurative apparatus began on the east coast of the United States and “traveled” westward. From Sunday through Saturday, each day focused on a different part of the country, with setting-appropriate activities and gatherings. For example, Sunday was “New York, New York” (with “Rockin New Year’s Eve in Time’s Square”), Wednes-day was “Don’t Mess With Texas” (Mechanical bull-riding) and Thursday was “Viva Las Vegas” (featuring a Casino-Royale-themed formal dance).

Laura Rayl, the executive director of Camp Happy Days, generously provided a tour and went into more depth about what was being offered.

Out in the woods, a myriad of opportunities for physical activity could be found. Activities included a climbing wall towered above the trees, and “High Ropes,” an instructional obstacle course that took campers 35 feet in the air.

“All of these things are completely safe,” explained Rayl, “We take every precaution to make sure our campers are safe out here. There are trained professionals on duty, and safety harnesses are used.”

Out on the Lake Marion waterfront, there was parasailing, boating, and fishing. Waterslides, skiing and canoeing were also available. And of course, Camp Bob Cooper’s infamous water trampoline, “The Blob” was readily accessible.

Several arts-and-crafts programs gave campers plenty of chances to be creative. Art projects (drawings and paintings) could be worked on in the Painter’s Pit. Campers could sew anything from small crafts to costumes at Stitch-N-Time. Kickin’ Kitchen was a culinary workshop. In addition, there was scrap booking, ceramic item creation, and derby car construction.

Thursday night’s main event was the prom. Camp Bob Cooper’s Robert Fairey Center was decked out in a beautiful casino theme. It was a formal event that required elegant wear. Fortunately, all manner of dresses could be picked up at a place called Glitz-n-Glamour, located in the Walter Cox Building.

“We have literally hundreds of donated outfits to choose from,” said Rayl. “And professional cosmetologists and stylists from Charleston are on hand to get nails and hair done ... most girls who say they don’t want a dress immediately change their mind after they see the selection we have.”

Although Happy Days and Special Times stays ahead in its never-ending battle with cancer, none of it could be possible without help from the community. Fortunately, people have been very generous in their support.

“Community support has been good and people are really starting to take notice,” said Bill Ellis, “And I’d like to thank Clarendon County for the positive response we’ve received.”