Mission Statement of Camp John Marc
Link to CJM main website where information can be found.
The mission statement begins:
"Camp John Marc inspires confidence for life through high-quality camping programs for children, teens, and families. Year round programming and specialized camp facilities are uniquely designed in partnership with Dallas-Fort Worth area pediatric hospitals, community volunteers, and health organizations who are dedicated to serving campers living with chronic medical and physical challenges. The dignity of each camper is nurtured at Camp John Marc as well as in the community through its outreach programs."
The main idea of the mission statement stems from the person that Camp John Marc was named after. John Marc Myers was a nine year old boy from Dallas, Texas who passed away from osteogenic sarcoma, commonly known as bone cancer. He loved exploring nature surrounding his family’s property. After his passing, John Marc’s parents worked to create an environment for kids who live with illness that would be a place of empowerment through nature.
While there are no campers who have ever personally met John Marc Myers, they have a relationship with him because of the camp that was established in his name. They are all kids who were sent to camp because they wanted to follow in his passion for nature and desire to have a carefree lifestyle while suffering from bone cancer. All of the kids who attend the camps hosted by Camp John Marc have experienced a type of pain, whether that be chronic, emotional, or physical. They also long for that normalcy that society has entertained and established for them. These emotions are probably very similar to how John Marc Myers was feeling. The intended goal of all the camps hosted at Camp John Marc is to expunge the idea that normalcy exists and have the kids understand that their illness is not actually a negative but a positive part of their lives that should be empowered. Empowering children with illness is inherent in their social mobility through the world. In education systems, future educators are taught to empower their kids who have disabilities or illnesses in order to allow them to carry the mindset that they are no different than any “average” kid.