Big Cypress/Immokalee Youth Camp a Success

Submitted by the Seminole Health Department

HIGH SPRINGS, FL — After four years of waiting for an open week, the Big Cypress/Immokalee Youth Camp made its debut at Camp Kulaqua, in High Springs, Fla., Aug. 7-11. It was worth the wait.

This “Cadillac® of camps” afforded camp goers the opportunity to participate in canoeing, rafting, tubing, horseback riding, swimming, go-carting and adventures of all kinds. The Camp Kulaqua staff, alongside the Seminole staff, participated in each event and insured the safety of the campers.

With many years of collaboration between Helene Buster, Family Services department director and Connie Whidden, Health department director behind them, Helene donned her camp director hat and made the dream of a diabetes prevention Youth Camp come to life.

Youth were engrossed in fun-filled, athletic, and energetic activities from dawn until dusk, with several hours of motivating classroom sessions taking place in the afternoon. Each morning began with early call alongside Neil Prager of the Fitness department, for morning stretch and one mile walk. Jeanette Cypress of Ahfachkee School delighted the students with her engrossing culture and language sessions.

Amy Waldron, of the Treasurer’s Office, drove twice from Hollywood to High Springs during the week to teach the youth the fine art of finance and money management. Stan Frischman, Big Cypress Recreation department, and his “Camp Canteen” was a big hit. He had kids balancing their camp checkbooks and counting their camp dollars to make sure they could still afford to buy the much sought after canteen items each night and at the end of the trip.

The trip would not have been possible without the help from Fire Rescue and Seminole Police Department. Brian Brown brought in personnel from both Big Cypress and Brighton to fill the obligations of keeping both youth and staff safe during the rigorous and physically demanding camp activities. The spark of the camp itself came from the bonds formed between the counselors and the kids.

The counselors and chaperones, often leaving their own families behind, were the true Camp Kulaqua champions in the eyes of the campers. Only as good as their leader, Helene brought out the best in everyone and insured that each child had good summer camp memories to bring back home to Big Cypress and Immokalee.