CSN gardener helps give ill children a little bit of TLC

VIEW file photoCheryl Waites, director of the CSN Garden Center, works with some plants available for sale. Waites volunteers with Camp TLC, a program from terminally ill children, each summer. Advertisement

Cheryl Waites, College of Southern Nevada Desert Garden Center director, has a double identity. For at least one week out of the year, she and some of her cohorts at the center become camp counselors at Camp TLC in Northern Nevada.

Founded in 1996 by Waites' best friend Tina Megason, Camp TLC welcomes any child between the ages of 6 and 18 who is terminally ill. The camp is looking for children in Southern Nevada for this year's events and also is in need of camp counselors. Camp TLC will congregate on the shores of Zephyr Cove in Lake Tahoe from Aug. 20-25.

"It used to be that the majority of the kids came from the south (Nevada)," Waites said. "We want to include your child. We're completely nonprofit, and we're doing it for the kids."

Megason, a registered nurse, created the camp when she saw a need for one that welcomed any child, not just those with a specific illness. She felt too many children were falling through the cracks if they weren't diagnosed with this or that. Also, many of the other camps cost more money than parents could afford, and as a result, many kids couldn't attend because of financial reasons.

In 1996, Megason opened Camp TLC for the first time, and by doing so, catered to every child with a life-shortening or life-threatening illness, regardless of their financial status.

Now in its 11th year, the camp wants to recruit kids from the Southern Nevada area to attend the Lake Tahoe-based camp. Participants and volunteers receive a plane ride up to camp, and the entire experience is of no cost to participating families. Camp TLC is funded through grants, donations and fundraising activities.

Because of volunteers like Waites, the campers don't have to pay for counselors, which helps defray many of the costs associated with the group.

"Cheryl has been with us since the very beginning," Megason said. "She's been my biggest cheerleader. I couldn't have done it without her, she's my right-hand girl."

"A lot of people don't know about the camp itself and the hard work Tina puts into it," said Jimmy Davey, a camp volunteer.

Aside from donating a week of their time, getting up at all hours of the night to help the kids and catering to the children's every whim, the volunteer counselors seem to love what they do.

"The majority of kids I have that are AIDS patients from here, have never been out of the city," Waites said. "To see a kid open up is something that you can't put into words."

"It makes you feel good to help those people and see how their everyday life is," said Danny Weisenmiller, a camp volunteer.

The group devotes most of its time to fun during Camp TLC, and each year, campers enjoy a holiday during their stay, regardless of the date. This year's holiday of choice, Halloween, will be celebrated with costumes and lots of laughter, according to Waites.

Other activities the campers might do include jetting through Lake Tahoe on speed boats, sailing on a yacht and swimming. A big party and dance always end the camp, and campers enjoy free time throughout their stay where they can create jewelry, play games or rest if they need to.

Camp TLC normally employs 15 to 20 volunteers for about 25 kids, and some of the volunteer staff is off-duty medical personnel, so they assist in handing out medications and administering any treatments that campers need.

"Each camper is assessed before coming to camp to make sure that we're able to take care of them," Waites said. "Everybody's so eager to help each other. It's not unusual to see a microbiologist cleaning the floors after dinner."

The campsite is completely handicap accessible, and the group will enjoy visits from the Douglas County Fire Department and the Reno Hot Wheelers this summer. In addition, campers might be treated to SUV and Hummer adventures, hot air balloon rides, massage therapist treatments and plenty of traditional camping fun like campfires, crafts and good food.

"We're the best eatin' camp," Waites said.

Camp TLC has set up a travel booking Web site at www.camptlctravel.org, and a percentage of all funds generated from sales of travel-related items via the site go to the nonprofit organization. In addition, Megason hopes to expand Camp TLC to 10 regional camps around the country.

To get involved with the camp or to sign up a child, call 349-0506.