Mountains to Climb

The picturesque mountains of New England afford children at summer camps the opportunity to learn, grow, and see things from new heights.

It was a crisp and sunny morning as we had the children top off their water bottles, apply sunscreen, stuff their bagged lunches in their backpacks, and load into the two big camp vans. It was thee day of the Bash-Bish Hike for these 19 eight- to eleven-year olds and they were all pumped, having spent memorable times there in past summers.

The Edward J. Madden Open Hearts Camp was established in 1961 to support children who have undergone open-heart surgery or received a heart transplant. It is a non-profit, residential summer camp for healthy children with congenital heart disease. If you stopped by our summer camp on any given summer day, you would find active, enthusiastic, and energetic children participating in a vast range of athletic, artistic, and recreational activities. The Open Hearts Camp celebrates the victories of children who have faced difficult obstacles yet who have worked hardtop minimize the impact on their lives.

The 30 minute drive to Bash-Bush was a pleasant one as we listened to music, sang a few songs, and got into good discussions with the people sitting next to us. As we arrived at the beginning of the hike spot, we laid down all of the necessary safety precautions, reminded the campers about sharing this beautiful spot with other hikers, and had a brief talk about the Leave No Trace philosophy.

The Open Hearts Camp provides an atmosphere where children can enjoy a majestic hike like the Bash-Bish while moving at a pace that is comfortable for them. Individual needs are always honored, and while some of our campers have the stamina of exceptional athletes, some will tire more easily and need more time to accomplish a physical challenge.

As we started to weave our way through the partially shaded path, the kids had the pleasure of viewing the side of a sloping mountain to their left and the smooth flow of a creek to their right. We moved as a group and took many breaks to refresh with water and give the kids plenty of time to catch a breather and rest up for the remainder of the hike. Camp counselors are trained to be exceptionally diligent and aware of individual needs and make continuous assessments of physical and emotional space, so we always make sure the campers aren't overexerting themselves.

At the culmination of the hike, we reached the end of the path and climbed down a steep stone stairway to find a seating area made of massive boulders that looked up to a gorgeous waterfall. We all relaxed and enjoyed our lunch and good company as we took in the natural marvel. The kids took a multitude of pictures in front of the giant waterfall and we propped up a camera to snap a group shot. The campers definitely felt the satisfaction of reaching their destination and experiencing the beauty of the waterfall and the serene environment. After a rejuvenating time at the waterfall, it was time to climb up the stone stairs and head back in the other direction to complete the hike.

As we arrived back at our vans, the campers were in great spirits. For the kids who required more effort to reach the hike goal, they also felt accomplished to have put energy into a tangible goal, and to have seen that goal through to fruition. We headed back to our summer camp knowing that, once again, the Bash-Bish Hike had been a true success.

David Zaleon is the Executive Director of Madden Open Hearts Camp.

The mountains of New England offer unique experiences for campers at ACA-accredited summer camps. Read more hiking stories here. Submit your own by emailing us.