USD Magazine, Fall 2004

in 30 seconds. For others, an hour. " Some of the kids are nervous. Some are hesitant. Some can't wait. The counselor urges chem to cake their time, be careful, and to challenge themselves. That's what Praba has done at camp over the years. "For the past two years, I've given up all my vacation rime to come up here,"

On the last night of camp, skits keep the camp commu– nity entertained with songs, costumes and

he says. "I chink it's my duty to contribute to my community in some way. Like a lot of USD stu– dents, I come from a privi leged ackground. I have an obligation to give something back." Finally, the first camper is ready to start his climb.

a whole lot of laughter.

A class that teaches children the intricacies of playing musical spoons (above) is a highlight of the week for many campers.

Danny crosses himself, then scares up the tower, a seeming daredevil, pulling himself up single– handed. "He's only able to use one hand," Vu explains as he joins us, his neck filled with a fresh batch of gopher's eye neck– laces chat's he's apparently made during quiet time. In a twinkling, Danny has reached the top. He lees out a yell of tri– umph, and pumps chat one hand into a fist, punching the ai11 over his head, once, twice, three times. He made it. Praba and Vu s out their encourage– ment, and Danny's smile is wide enough to be seen all the way from the ground. When he comes down, he's caught in a crushing hu by his cabin counselor, who slaps his back enthusiastically. "I knew you could do it, man," says Vu. "Way to go." "Thanks, coach," says Danny. When Vu slips a gopher's eye necklace over Danny's head, the boy clutches the round marble in one fist. He radiates pride and accom– plishment. "I didn't know if I could do it," he says finally. "But I just kept going, one seep at a time." + To see an online slide show ofUSD alumni and kids enjoying camp or to leam more about Camp RonaldMcDonald for Good Times - go to the current issu of USD Magazine online at www.sandiego. edu/ publications usdmagazine.

Phong Vu admits that he always wears sun– glasses on the last day of camp, when there are always lots of hugs and tears.

Uo you have rm op nio11 ahout 1/,is ,tori,; l'lc11sc send e-mail to tas6. 1 s,mdi,go.crl11.

As the bus pulls away on its way down the hill to deliver campers back to their families, counselors wave goodbye for another year.

FALL 2004

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