Camp Rainbow Gold, a program of the American Cancer Society, has expanded to offer two camps for kids with cancer, instead of one. The group says it will now be able to accommodate more kids at its backcountry camp in Blaine County.
"Our one camp is now split into two weeks," said Elizabeth Lizberg, director of children services. "This is exciting news, especially because of the continuous support from the Wood River Valley."
Camp Rainbow Gold will host a teen week from Sunday, July 25, through Friday, July 30, with 50 campers at Cathedral Pines, north of Ketchum off state Highway 75. The camp will kick off with an antique car escort meeting in the Wood River Valley on Sunday. The youth camp, also at Cathedral Pines, will take place Sunday, Aug. 1, through Friday, Aug. 6, and will have its traditional motorcycle escort, this year leaving from Bellevue City Park due to reconstruction of the Timmerman Hill rest stop.
"The camps this year have a total of 90 campers, which is a 20 camper increase," Lizberg said. "We can reach more children because of the support we are getting. We have not increased the camps because kids are having more cancer. We increased the camps to reach more kids in Idaho."
Lizberg also said the American Cancer Society was able to award 23 college scholarships to Idaho young adults.
Country and Western recording artist Ashley Monroe, a Camp Rainbow Gold supporter, will return this summer to teach a song-writing class at the youth camp. In addition, youth camp will include riding by Sagebrush Equine Training Center for the Handicapped, which sets up a portable-riding arena at Cathedral Pines.
"The theme for the youth camp is fairytales, and the camp will be decorated with fairytale décor," Lizberg said. "Camp will also have claywork with a Wood River Valley artist, a visit to the YMCA in Ketchum, dances at Easley Hot Springs, art shack and campfires."
The teen camp will include ATV riding, horseback trail riding, mountain bike riding and a visiting magician. Both camps will have stargazing and therapy dogs.
"I think it will be the best summer yet," Lizberg said.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Camp Rainbow Gold has expanded this summer to include two camps for youths and teens. Photo by Willy Cook
