Feeling the power of family and camp

     It is clear that camp has had a profound effect on the life of Kathy Sofield Gigantiello.

     A camper for five years during the late 1970’s, Gigantiello returned to camp in 2004, and returned to a place that she feels is both a home and a salvation; for herself and for everyone else.  

   Serving as the nurse at the boys camp, “Nurse Kathy” imparts lessons and wisdom to the campers while in turn receives joy and warmth from them. Her humorous mealtime announcements such as “wash your parts!” and “drink plenty of fluids” are, at the same time,  hits with the kids and important lessons.

     The Pok-O-Mac Times spoke with a sometimes emotional Gigantiello from her office at the Health Center, where she proudly shows off a framed display of photos and awards from her camper days.

The Camper: “It meant a lot to me. This was the only place where I was allowed to be a kid, and be myself because my home life was rough.  There was a sense of freedom. No matter who you were, you fit in.  That’s what’s so magical about this place.”

The Return to Camp: “I always thought about it but life just didn’t lead me in that direction. My brother (Intermediate Section Head Mattie Leto) called me in 2003 and said that his greatest wish is to spend a summer at camp with his sisters. And I wanted to make that wish come true.  It was kind of tough to work out, but I managed and here I am!”

The Nurse: “It’s probably one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever had.  Kids come to you because they’re sick... and they’re not happy.  But here, I have the ability to build relationships.  You can’t do that in a hospital.  Some of these kids, I’d take home with me.”

The Teacher: “I have the opportunity to leave an impression and I hope that 25 years from now, kids will remember some of what I taught them.”

The Parent: “I’ve seen my kids mature and meet challenges. All parents, whether they are here or not, should realize that kids overcome barriers and support each other.  Camp has given us all a wonderful gift.”

Little Shop of Horrors

     Under the watchful eyes of directors Abbe Wright (foreground) and Bessie Edwards, rehearsals are winding down on the 2005 camper production.  The musical is set to premiere on Friday evening at the H.T. Swan Barnboard Theatre. Curtain time:  8:00pm.

Indian Days are Finally Here!

     Monday night’s council fire signified the start of the summer’s biggest event:  Indian Days.  The five tribes have already taken part in a number of preliminary competitions (see results), but action will be fast and furious over the next two days, beginning with Tuesday’s Great Indian Pathfinding, Scalping, Scavenging, Skulking, Foraging and Storytelling Game.  Also on tap Tuesday: The Great Journey, Iroquois Nations Rolas and the all-camp Tug-O’-War.

     Look for photos and updates in tomorrow’s edition of the Pok-O-Mac Times.

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