The Rainbow children will head back to the Smoky Mountains for a free week of adventure and a bit of normalcy.
The American Cancer Society's Camp Rainbow Gold, for children ages 6 to 17 who are diagnosed with cancer, will kick off its 23rd year on Sunday, Aug. 5.
Founded by Dr. Dave McClusky of Twin Falls, the camp provides a medically supervised environment for campers to enjoy fun and briefly forget about the daily rigors that a cancer diagnosis can bring.
This year the camp will include the largest group ever. There will be 81 children and 85 adult volunteers at the Cathedral Pines Camp north of Ketchum. Several events this weekend lead into the start of camp.
The Celebration of Life Fundraiser will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, in the Hailey Mini Mart parking lot on Main Street in Hailey.
Lisa Watson, owner of Hailey Barber Shop and founder of Celebration of Life, along with several other stylists, will volunteer services in the "Hair Cut-a-Thon." Haircuts will be offered for $10 donations.
This fun family event will also feature the sale of baked goods from the Golden Elk Café, ice cream from Baskin-Robbins, a full barbecue lunch and beverages from the Mini Mart, along with a raffle featuring great prizes.
There will also be a Dunk Tank where, for a small donation, people can soak their best friends. All proceeds will go to Camp Rainbow Gold.
Rev up a Harley on Sunday, Aug. 5, for the sixth annual Motorcycle Escort to Camp Rainbow Gold. Hosted by the Kiwanis Club, a raffle and $5 barbecue lunch will begin at 11.30 a.m. at the Timmerman Hill Rest Stop, at the junction of state Highway 75 and U.S. 20, about 10 miles south of Bellevue.
A bus filled with campers will arrive from Boise between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. and will lead the pack of motorcycles up to Cathedral Pines campground.
For those who don't own motorcycles (themed car clubs are welcome, too) standing along the streets of Bellevue, Hailey and Ketchum is also encouraged to cheer the campers and motorcyclists on toward camp.
After safely delivering the kids to camp, all participants and bikers are invited to a post-party at Dirty Little Roddy's in Ketchum. A DJ will mix tunes. There will be drink specials and raffle drawing.
Camp Rainbow Gold is run solely by donation.
"Due to the success of recent fundraising efforts, two inaugural programs were implemented this year," said Kris Cronin, Rainbow Gold board member and volunteer.
The Camp Rainbow Gold College Scholarship Program offers $5,000 scholarships to former campers who attend college full time and meet application requirements. The Camp Rainbow Gold Family Camp will enable campers to bring their immediate families for a mini-Camp Rainbow Gold in June.
For more information, call Cronin at 720-3391.
At Camp Rainbow Gold north of Ketchum, after the motorcycle escort, the Castle brothers show one of the young campers just what a ?hog? feels like. Photo by Willy Cook
