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Five dedicated students from The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s Department of Physical Therapy recently spent a transformative weekend volunteering at Camp John Marc’s Camp Strong. The camp, which caters to children with neurological diagnoses and their families, offered an enriching experience for both the campers and the volunteers.

Camp John Marc is a host site for various children’s camps, facilitated by year-round staff and volunteers from organizations like Cook Children’s.

“The particular one that we went to, which was Camp Strong, was for kids that had neurological diagnoses under the age of 14,” explained Grace Snyder, a second-year physical therapy student. “It was a family camp as well, so kids, their siblings and their parents were allowed to come.”

The students were assigned to families and acted as additional support throughout the weekend.

“At the beginning of camp, we met our family, and the week prior, we got their case details,” said Cheyenne Cavanaugh, a third-year physical therapy student. “We were like another set of hands the whole weekend, helping in whatever capacity we could.”

Activities at the camp included games, campfire songs, a ropes course and even a science session. The volunteers also helped organize a scavenger hunt for the children.

“Each kid got a stuffed animal, and we hid them around the camp,” Snyder said. “It was kind of a fun activity for them. We had breakfast, and then our families could sign up for particular games throughout the day.”

The students’ involvement extended beyond just assisting with activities; they also provided emotional support.

“We got close with the families, and I felt like they really adopted me into their family that weekend,” Snyder said. “It was cool and hard emotionally because the kids were all hugging me and not wanting to leave.”

The experience proved to be a significant reminder of why these students chose their career paths.

“It was a good big-picture moment for me,” Snyder noted. “It was a reminder of why I want to do this and how much joy helping people brings me.”

Cavanaugh echoed similar sentiments.

“It was very much a ‘this is my why’ moment,” she said. “Seeing the families and how one diagnosis can affect a whole family system was really big for me. It showed how we could help facilitate a better family structure and ease some of the stress.”

Dr. Michael Furtado, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, expressed his pride in the students’ commitment.

“When we were approached by Cook Children’s needing volunteers, we didn’t hesitate to send the opportunity to our students,” Furtado said. “I felt so much joy when five of our students chose to spend their weekend being a source of light for families and children alike.”

Anne Stankus, director of Camp Strong, praised the students’ efforts, saying, “They were so great with our patients and their families. The kids were already asking if they are coming back next year. We are hopeful to continue to grow this partnership.”

Camp John Marc, located in Bosque County, Texas, has been serving children with chronic medical and physical challenges for more than 30 years. The camp offers year-round programming and specialized facilities designed in partnership with Dallas-Fort Worth area pediatric hospitals. Each year, Camp John Marc hosts more than 3,000 children, teens and family members, providing a high-quality camping experience at a subsidized cost.

The volunteer experience at Camp Strong not only allowed the students to apply their skills but also reinforced their passion for helping those in need. As Cavanaugh prepares for her clinical rotations, including an internship with the Chicago White Sox, and Snyder begins her second year, the impact of their weekend at Camp John Marc will undoubtedly remain a significant part of their journey. To get involved in future camps, email CampsForKids@cookchildrens.org. 

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