LOCALadk Magazine

48 Winter 2020 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk nizations and businesses who bring their people here to be inspired, to learn, and to do good works. And now, as build- ings sit empty because of COVID, Max hopes to give back by encouraging local companies to use the beautiful large facil- ities for safe, socially distanced meetings and events. In addition to all of the programs at the Ranch itself, Dou- ble H ser ved almost 800 campers in 2019 in its Hospital Out- reach program, Camp- On-The- Go, visiting 14 different hospi- tals throughout New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire. Working with their own coordinators, as well as local volun- teers, the program aims to bring the camp experience to chil- dren in medical facilities, and to make families and medical professionals there aware of the opportunities at the Ranch. When Double H first opened, most of its campers were suf- fering from HIV and AIDS, contracted at birth. "Back then, there was no cure and we lost so many babies," Max remem- bers. "Our nurses worked around the clock." These days, the diseases that are seen most often at Double H are sickle cell anemia, neuromuscular disorders, and collagen vascular dis- ease. The partnership with Albany Med, that brings in one physician in residence ever y week of summer camp along with one or two younger doctors and ten volunteer nurses, is a constant at the Ranch. Of the nursing volunteers, 75% come from Albany Med to work at Paul's Body Shop, and are part of the almost 200 medical professionals that are part of Double H ever y summer. Former camper Chris Woll is now an emergency room phy- sician in the Children's Emergency Center at Albany Med. He met his wife, a general pediatrician, while working as a coun- selor at Double H, and now their kids come up to the Ranch when he volunteers, as Ray Walsh's did. His closest friends are still those he made while at camp. Cher yl and Maureen talk about time spent sharing stories with other parents there. During regular summer camp weeks, Double H doesn't sep- arate kids by diagnoses. And Gabe mentions learning about other campers' challenges, and gaining understanding and empathy, while building resiliency and confidence. Through- out the fall and spring, Double H hosts family programs that focus on specific diseases and comfort camps for children with a parent or sibling dealing with a life-threatening dis- ease. These opportunities are extremely important for fam- ilies, as caregivers and siblings often struggle as well, while critical care is focused on their child with the life-threaten- ing disease. Future plans for Double H include more hospital outreach programming, a new dining hall so all campers can eat to- gether, a Camp-a-Theatre which will be the heart of camp, expansion of the Pavilion, and demolition and construction of a new space for residential and support staff, Circle H. Fis- cal responsibility is a hallmark of the Ranch —there's been only one capital campaign over their 28-year operating histo- r y—so projects will happen when the time is right. As stated in its Core Values, ever ything that Double H does is about kids and camp and creating unforgettable experiences. Max smiles when he tells the stor y of how up- set Charley Wood became when he first saw how high the ropes course was. Worried about kids' safety, he gave Max a piece of his mind, and insisted that they be lowered. Things changed quickly when Paul Newman, upon seeing the course, declared that ever y camp in the SeriousFun Network would be getting one. And it's easy to understand why when you hear of the parent, talking about his wheelchair-bound son, telling Max, "On the ground, he can't walk. But here, he can fly." Double H allows each child to soar in their own way, building confidence and creating resiliency, making Charley Wood's wishes for health and happiness a reality for children, families, and the whole community ever y day, and letting the miracles continue.

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