Camp Rise Above 2019

Every spring the staff at Schirmer Insurance Group begins counting down the days until summer camp begins at Camp Rise Above, a local non-profit that has been operating since 2008.

Camp Rise Above (CRA) is on a mission to “give kids strength for the journey.” Along with hospital camps and family fun days, CRA partners with Charleston County Parks and Recreation each summer for 2-day camp sessions. The organization provides life-changing experiences to children with serious illnesses, life challenges, and disabilities.

The camp is completely free for kids to attend, so majority of the camp staff are there on a volunteer-basis. The children get to participate in activities like rock climbing, archery, arts and crafts, talent shows, floating the lazy river or going down the water slide at the water park, and tie-dying their own T-shirts, to name a few.

As a sponsor, Schirmer Insurance sends small groups of volunteers to help with a few of the camp days each year. We have become experts in tie dye, spin art, jewelry making, shrinky-dinks, and pillowcase decorating. Only Greg was brave enough to climb the rock wall (picture evidence below)! But more importantly, we realize how much of an impact this camp has on the lives of the children who attend.

We are privileged to be able to witness them develop relationships with other kids who are going through similar battles. We hear their counselors tell stories of how they conquered their fear of water by going down a water slide for the first time ever. We see them get up on stage and dance and sing their favorite song (acapella!) in front of their peers. The most amazing part is even though these children have already overcome hardships that even some adults may never know, they are all smiles and hugs and positivity, having the time of their lives at Camp Rise Above. We sure could learn a lot from them!

Click here to donate to CRA or sponsor a camper for next summer! Keep scrolling for photo evidence of all the fun that was had: