“You’re not a lost puzzle piece. You’re more like a marble with different colors.”
A sense of belonging is important for children growing up, especially Ella. When she arrived at Roundup River Ranch four years ago, she discovered a place where she felt that she could belong. Here, her cancer diagnosis allowed her to relate to kids her age instead of feeling different.
“It’s a camp welcoming to people that aren’t ‘normal’ or have gone through big changes in their life to make them feel more normal, like they can just be at home,” Ella reflected about what makes camp special to her.
Ella first heard about Roundup River Ranch from Children’s Hospital Colorado, where both she and her sister were treated for cancer. Ella had a tumor on her adrenal gland that started to reach her heart, and she now lives with one adrenal gland. She waited until she was done with chemotherapy to come to camp, and once she arrived, she bonded immediately with her now close friend, Charlotte.
“We were able to click really easily because we both had cancer. It’s really nice being friends with her,” Ella shared.
Camp has been transformative for Ella, helping her open up to her fellow campers and embracing them, not just metaphorically. Despite not identifying as a “big hugger” previously, Ella has grown to enjoy hugging her camp friends! She likes to take the lessons and growth she acquires at camp home with her every summer.
“Things I learned here or at other camps, I always bring them home.”
One of the things Ella has learned is being the first to hug others, something she has never done before. Now, when she sees her camp friends on arrival day, she runs in for hugs.
While this is Ella’s fourth year, she still remembers being nervous to come to camp for the first time. Her sister, who went to Roundup River Ranch for five years, shared some advice that Ella wants to pass on to incoming campers.
“It doesn’t matter if you make friends or not, the counselors will welcome you in. You will feel welcomed no matter what,” Ella said.
