Finding Resilience and Joy at Camp Cranium
Under the sun-drenched skies of Camp Victory, a unique summer experience unfolds each June. Camp Cranium, a sanctuary for children recovering from traumatic brain injuries, offers a week of adventure, growth, and camaraderie amidst the lush surroundings of Columbia County.
Amidst the laughter and activities, Tony Sadowski, Camp Cranium’s executive director since 2024, reflects on his journey with his son Bryan, a camper since 2014. “We go from that scary, traumatic moment as parents, where you’re in the emergency room … not knowing what version of your son’s going to wake up, and we’re very lucky to be able to be here and enjoy this week with him,” Sadowski shared.
Bryan, now 18, is one of the 25 campers at Camp Cranium. He survived a brain bleed at age six, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke. As he prepares for college, Bryan plans to study occupational therapy, inspired by his own recovery journey. “After years of working with lots of therapists and them being a special part of his life, he said for years he might want to go into pediatric OT and help other kids in the same way that they helped him,” his father expressed with pride.
Empowering Activities and Personal Growth
Camp Cranium offers a variety of activities, from archery to rock climbing, aiming to empower campers to push past their limits. Sadowski recalls Bryan’s transformation: “The kid I came back and saw from Monday to Friday was a different kid, having that independence here, trying some new things, seeing photos pop up on Facebook of him determined to climb that rock wall, doing a zipline…”
Director of operations, Drew Meyer, observes the resilience and adaptability of the campers. “They will surprise you, like flat out. You’d be like, I don’t know if we can shoot archery, and they’ll come out here, and they’ll shoot for three hours and start hitting the target,” Meyer noted.
The camp is designed for children aged 10 to 21, with a fee of $500 per camper. Sadowski highlighted the financial aid available through “camperships” for families in need. Each camper is paired with counselors to ensure personalized support, fostering a safe and encouraging environment.
Building Community and Combatting Isolation
Traumatic brain injuries often lead to social isolation, as noted by the National Institutes of Health. Camp Cranium offers a supportive community that understands and shares similar experiences. Sadowski explained, “An incredible gift that Camp Cranium gives to parents and campers is a community that they can’t find at home.”
For individuals like Bryanna Engleman, who has been attending camp since 2018, this community has been transformative. After undergoing a hemispherectomy at age five, she found solace and acceptance at Camp Cranium. “It’s like a home to me. I found people that don’t judge me like the real world people do. I found a family,” Engleman expressed.
Supporting Families Through the Journey
Beyond the campers, Camp Cranium also offers a reprieve for parents, allowing them a moment of respite. Sadowski encourages parents to trust in the camp’s ability to care for their children, emphasizing the importance of self-care. “I always tell parents it’s really important for you to catch your breath, because otherwise you’re just in trauma mode, and you need that breather too,” he advises.
For many families, the camp has become an annual tradition, providing both children and parents with invaluable experiences and support. “What is important about camp is we see the gradual progress that all these kids are making… it means more independence, it means they have more control over their lives,” Sadowski noted.
