Camp serves special mission to support youths with cancer

Summer camp is a staple for many youths after school lets out for the summer, and there's one that works to provide the classic camp experience for those who face additional struggles.Horizon Day Camp in Baltimore, Maryland, has all the classics, from sports to arts and crafts to water activities and more."We've played sports, and we did art, and we painted and did stickers and everything else," said Dalia, a camper."I'm having fun because the waterslide looks steep, and everyone gets to go on," said Delilah, a camper.But this isn't your typical camp. There's much going on behind the children's smiles.Mark McElrath, the camp's executive director, told sister station WBAL-TV that the mission is simple."We serve children throughout the state of Maryland who are dealing with childhood cancer, either as a primary child who is experiencing cancer (or) we also serve siblings as well," McElrath said. "(The campers) develop friendships, develop their confidence, develop their independence as much as anything, and perhaps most important, (they) just have fun."There's also a team in place to take care of any medical needs that arise."We have a minimum of two nurses, many times, three to four nurses, who are charged with understanding the cases of our children," McElrath said.WBAL Weather meteorologist Alena Lee recently visited the camp to teach the youths about weather. A team of volunteers from Hearst, the parent company of WBAL-TV, WBAL NewsRadio 1090 AM and 101.5 FM and 98 Rock, spent time at the camp helping bring smiles and build memories.It seems every camper has a favorite activity — and the pool is pretty popular."My favorite thing about camp is swimming," said Kinglsey, a camper."I like going to the pool," said Bryan, a camper."My favorite thing is the pool," said Levi, a camper."I like to go on the water slides," said Charlotte, a camper.