When Cynthia Studer of McFall tries to name her son Zachary’s favorite part of Camp Quality NWMO, she brings to mind everything from traditional outdoor activities to inside games to his "companion."
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"Fishing and archery are some of his favorite things," she said. "He also enjoys the arcades and video games."
Zachary is a third grade student at Pattonsburg school.
This year is Zachary’s second visit to Camp Farwesta, a week-long activities camp near Stewartsville, dedicated to children battling cancer.
Funded through local donations, the event is for any child ranging in ages from four to 17 who has been diagnosed with cancer and is at any stage of treatment or remission. Zachary has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
This year’s event runs from June 13-18. About 105 volunteers and several staff members help with the camp. They range in age from teenagers to octogenarians and hail from all parts of the country.
Cynthia was surprised by how many of the volunteers were from her own community.
"Several women from my church help one day a week through a mission group," she said. "A lot of people I grew up with are volunteers. My brother-in-law is a volunteer. It’s pretty amazing how many people are willing to donate and volunteer their time."
Each camper is paired with a week-long companion. Their primary responsibility is to make sure their camper has the most enjoyable, safe, relaxing and restoring experience possible. Zachary’s companion is the same one he had last year. Their "bond" only adds to the fun and anticipation.
"Zachary was apprehensive the first time he went to camp," Cynthia said. "He hadn’t really been away from us. But he had such a great time and everyone did such a great job at the camp, that the minute he got into the vehicle to come home he was asking when he could go back."
Camp Quality NWMO averages 105 campers. This year marks the 25th anniversary and the theme is The Power of 1 – This one is for Kay, in memory of its founder Kay Jenson. The Northwest Missouri camp was the nation’s first Camp Quality camp. It began in 1986, and 15 camps now exist.
Patrick McBroom of Gallatin said "Everything!" was his favorite activity at Camp Quality.
Patrick, who will be an eighth grader, has a rare form of neuro blastoma cancer (only 550 cases reported nationwide per year). He has been in remission for two years.
This was Patrick’s fifth year attending Camp Quality.
The camp also offers other traditional outdoor activities, including canoeing, swimming and horseback riding. Special facilities, menus and activities are created so the kids can forget about treatments and surgeries and live like normal kids for awhile.
Patrick’s mother is Laura Hoyle, and his father is Kerry McBroom. He has two brothers, Morgan,9, Keegan, 4, and one sister, Channing, almost two in just a few weeks. His grandparents are Mildred and Clayton McBroom of Gallatin and Allen and May Hoyle of Bethany.