Several Rappahannock County groups pulled out all the stops for “Bonkers Night,” a special dinner event on Aug. 5 for some 75 kids at the 42nd annual gathering of Camp Fantastic.
The weeklong sleepaway camp, held at the 4-H Center in Front Royal, hosts kids ages seven-17 who have been diagnosed with cancer. It is sponsored by Special Love which was founded in 1983 by Tom and Sheila Baker who lost their daughter to lymphoma. The Winchester organization partners with the National Institutes of Health and area hospitals to serve hundreds of children, teens, young adults and parents with programs that include camps, workshops, scholarships and financial assistance.
This year’s dinner theme was “Super Heroes and Super Villains” and the campers and counselors went the extra mile by dressing up in costumes and singing and dancing to lively music.
“That was the most laughing, squealing, dancing, joyous group of people that I can recall,” said Scott Wells, who has coordinated the Rappahannock Lions Club participation at the event for many years. “They truly lived up to the theme of the evening, ‘Bonkers Night,’” he said.
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- A camper smiles as her face is painted by a volunteer. (Photo/Ireland Hayes)
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- Campers, counselors and volunteers dance around the pavilion in a conga line after dinner. (Photo/Ireland Hayes)
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- A young camper blowing bubbles through a large bubble wand after dinner at Camp Fantastic’s “Bonkers Night.” (Photo/Ireland Hayes)
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- A storm trooper arm wrestles with a young camper. (Photo/Ireland Hayes)
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- A group of boys plays in the bubble machine at the start of “Bonkers Night.” (Photo/Ireland Hayes)
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- Two girls share bites of their ice cream treats from The Ice Cream Stand truck. (Photo/Ireland Hayes)
Lions served up a delicious meal of chicken, pizza, barbecue, mac and cheese, ice cream and watermelon for about 200 attendees that included counselors and medical staff. The Washington Baptist Church and Amissville Methodist Church provided beverages, desserts, fresh fruit and other treats. Rappahannock County Sheriff Connie Compton and members of her office were on hand doling out plenty of cotton candy and snow cones.
“I’ve been coming here for as long as I can remember,” said Sandy Jenkins of Flint Hill who was instrumental in getting Rappahannock groups to support the event back in the 1980s. “It brings joy to my heart to see these kids having so much fun year after year and I know all of us who volunteer share that joy,” she said.
Jan Makela, who again served as the overall coordinator of the event, offered deep thanks to the 40-plus volunteers who participated in the evening’s events. “This gathering was so special and it could never have happened without the help of many dedicated volunteers,” she said. Papa John’s Pizza in Front Royal, and Chick fil A in Warrenton, supplied the pizza and chicken, respectively and Jenkins Orchards in Woodville donated the watermelon.
Volunteer Jan Makela hands a camper a welcome bag. (Photo/Ireland Hayes)
