Camp Onkoi Benek: Year One

Colored by: Jesse Richardson

Colored image of our camp '88 t-shirt. Click for original copy.

Wednesday, July 23rd 2014

   

     If I had to describe my first year at Camp Onkoi Benek with one word, it would be special. For those reading this and don't know, Camp Onkoi Benek (Indian for To Conquer Tomorrow) was a summer camp for kids, teens, & adults living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) that took place in July outside of Battle Creek, MI (cereal capital of the world) in Dowling, MI. I went to CF camp for 8 years until it was discontinued in 1996. The camp is actually called Camp Clear Lake and is operated by the Battle Creek Public Schools, but for that week it was called 'home' to us CFers and staff members. The counselors (staff), cooks, and others were a reason why camp was so special. A lot of adults took their vacation time during camp, which meant they were away from their families to be with us. That's something special.

     During my senior year in high school I was on the yearbook staff ('97 as well) and our yearbook theme for that year was 'Unlocking The Magic' and I remember day dreaming about camp when we chose that theme. It described camp perfectly. Each one of us held a key to a treasure chest. By unlocking that treasure chest, we unlocked magical moments at camp, moments that we'd never forget. The most magical gem I unlocked that year was meeting Elizabeth Michalski a.k.a. Liz, who adopted our patrol for that week. She took me under her wing and made my week very special. If I had to craft that week into an image, it would be the one below.

Liz & Jesse: Camp '88 Dance

     I first got wind of camp in 1987 by meeting Brian Weber (left) and his Mom at Karate class (Taekwondo). I don't recall seeing Brian at Taekwondo class, but if so, he didn't go for that long, or maybe they were just checking it out, I'm not sure. Anyway, his Mom talked to my Mom about a camp for those with CF. We got more information from my CF doctor at Children's Hospital in Detroit. The rest is history.

     I believe I received my packet from camp in May 1988. I recall being excited to see the activities for that week, and the fact that there was going to be a dance. I remember packing for my first week at camp. Hawaiian style shirts (insert Miami Vice & Magnum P.I.) were very popular around this time. I think I had quite a few shirts from 1986-1990. The style that I had was different and a bit thicker. As I read the papers in my packet, I learned that a Beaver was our mascot and the theme for that year was WBVR, which was a fictional TV station. The weeks activities surrounded that theme. 

     My first year of camp was the first time that I was around other's with CF, besides the time that I met Brian and his Mom. This was the case for a lot of CFers who attended camp for the first time. Prior to camp, I didn't know what to expect. I just knew as a 9 year old it was going to be my first time away from home, and not just that, but for a solid week. Let the fun begin!

Camp Onkoi Benek (1972-1996)

     My first year of camp should've been in 1987, but my parents felt it was best I wait a year. I think they were hesitant about me going since it was going to be my first time away from home (besides with relatives) for that length of time. I would've been 8 back in 1987. In order to attend camp you had to be at least 7 years of age.

     That trip from Highland to Dowling was 2 hours long, but it felt so much longer. Some people travel even further.

     As my parents slowly drove up to the drop off area, I remember getting out of the car and all of a sudden I heard a man's thunderous voice say.

     "JESSSSEEEE!!!."

     My first thought was. "Who in the heck is this guy, and how does he know my name?"

     That guy was Jim Meyer a.k.a. Jimeyer, and little did I know then, we'd become friends right off the bat. He was my camp counselor for that year, along with Rob. Jim was the counselor for the kids, and to my knowledge always was until 1996. Jim came up to me and gave me a big hug, and still to this day we're friends.  He was the first person that I met at camp, and I can't say enough about Jimeyer, I really can't.

     Since its been 26 years, it's a bit hard to remember things, but on that day I started a lot of friendships that lasted for years, until sadly my friends passed away. This was back when Burkholderia Cepacia (B. Cepacia) positive CFers could be around Cepacia negative CFers (I was Cepacia negative), we just couldn't do our postural drainage (PD) together. We had to be in separate rooms. PD is basically when someone pounds on our chest (back and front) to break up the mucus so it can be coughed up. We could do our breathing treatments, share things, hang out, and eat together etc. Things were different in the CF community back in the 70's and 80's. For those wondering, B. Cepacia positive CFers carry bugs (bacteria) that other CFers who are Cepacia negative are more apt to catch, especially with a somewhat weakened immune system. When Cepacia positive CFers become sick (due to their CF) it's hard to treat their lung infections with antibiotics, because their bacteria is resistant to a lot of them.

     In today's world (2014) it's a huge no no for either (Cepacia positive & negative) to be around each other, and this includes non Cepacia CFers being around other non Cepacia CFers (6 ft rule, it us to be 3), and the CF Foundation is currently tightening things up at the CF centers across the U.S.  

     Chapel Hill and Pittsburgh are the only two centers that do lung transplants for those with Cepacia, at least to my knowledge. Lung transplants are very difficult for those with Cepacia, even though they have new lungs.  It's not so much the 10+ hour surgery that's complicated (any double lung transplant has its worries), but more so the aftermath. B. Cepacia can be tricky post transplant, especially when you still have CF in the sinus cavity.

                  (left to right, back to front): Rob, Jimmie LaFrance, Debbie, 

              Jesse Richardson, Brian Weber, Jason LaFrance, Mike Wilson, Jim Meyer

     I still remember when our patrol picture was took. I actually think Liz took this picture, but I could be wrong. It was when we were playing bocce ball. 

Being a rookie camper meant a few things, but one thing was certain. You were getting a swirly, and yours truly was no exception to the rule. I'm not sure who gave me my first swirly, but it might've been Willie Halpin, who the next year would become my camp counselor along with Ken "The Mail Man" Osterman. I didn't fight the swirly. I wasn't stupid. I knew that anyone could grab me at anytime and flush my head down the toilet. Maybe I over exaggerated on that one, but it's the truth. My rookie initiation was complete. My only thought was. . .  how come the girls didn't get swirlies?  :)

To see the photos above in their original size and form, please click below.

"Sailing" by Christopher Cross (1980)