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Tristen Wilson, 19, of Gallatin did not have one single special moment at Camp Quality — the entire week was special!
Camp Quality is a week-long summer camping experience and year-round support program for children with cancer. This year, 106 campers attended Camp Farwesta, near Stewartsville.
This was Tristen’s second year at camp. Last year he was a lifeguard. This year he was a companion. Camp companions are paired with one of the young campers and are dedicated completely to his or her care.
Tristen served as friend and guide to Joe F., 14.
“Joe and I got along perfectly,” Tristen said. “In fact, several people made comments about how much we were alike, including one who said we even walked the same way.”
The primary responsibility of a companion is to make sure their camper has the most enjoyable, safe, relaxing and restoring experience possible. That was an easy task for Tristen.
“Joe and I both enjoy fishing quite a bit so that was a daily activity, and we also participated in the pool tournament in which we took second place,” Tristen said. “Joe is playing football for his high school in the fall, so we also played a ton of catch.”
Many difficult physical and emotional challenges face a child battling cancer. Surrounded by other children who can relate, volunteers who care, and lots and lots of fun stuff to do, Camp Quality allows these kids to forget about treatments and medications for a while.
“Just seeing these kids — who have every reason to be upset, angry, depressed, and hateful — seeing them so happy and full of energy, is amazing,” Tristen said.
Tristen is aware of being part of the reason for their happiness, and astounded by it: “It just shows how little a person has to do to impact someone’s life for the better.”
Camp Quality left a lasting experience on Tristen, an experience he hopes to have again and again.
“I for sure, without a doubt, will be going back next year, the year after that, and for as many years as I can before I physically am not able to,” he said.
Tristen is a 2016 graduate of Gallatin High School. He will be attending Northwest Missouri State University in the fall to study marine biology. His parents are Jamie and Darrell Wilson Jr. of Gallatin.