The CHAT Celebration

Our campers and their families spent CHAT Camp week participating in and experiencing activities they never expected. Hanging out with S.U. Football Players. Having a musical instrument jam session. Giving a news cast at YNN Studios. Being celebrities at a Red Carpet Gala Event. Each opportunity gave the campers a venue to use their voices, interact with others, practice new skills and make friends. The camp also brought together families that might have never met. These families now share a bond created from joy, learning, and support. CHAT Camp happened because of two people. Beth Tollar and Barb Tresness. With the help of a specialized team, these two ladies worked their magic. The result was what we celebrated today. As a person observing to capture stories I was able to sit back, be still and watch. These moments caught my heart: Matt saying, “I’m sad because it is the last day of camp.” Addi smiling as she watched the preview of their movie we all would eventually see. Makenna clapping with joy as she made her way across stage. Leo high fiving Jason during their reporting session. Graham holding court at his table knowing he was the star. Jason saying, “The key to all of this is exposure, understanding, and togetherness. You can’t fight every battle but if we all come together to fight together we can win!...and also explaining why the knuckle ball is so effective.” Beth fighting back tears as she recognized each camper’s growth through the week. Barb thanking BBI and the CHAT Team for making her vision a reality. And finally, the standing ovation the campers and their team received. The cheers were not just for what they had done during camp but for what their voices will do moving forward for all to see and hear. Thank you CHAT Camp!