Kalypso Kares Profile: Will Pike

Passionate about providing ALL children with the opportunity to attend camp

by Will Pike and Reagan Pugh on October 29th, 2012

I’ve always been the type of person who enjoyed helping my family with anything and everything. When I was a kid, I helped with bingo nights at my grandmother’s nursing home, and for my Eagle Scout badge, my project focused on cataloging and organizing the entire library at my Mom’s school. In my busy adult life, I haven’t had the time to volunteer as much as I would like, but I always jump at the chance to help out my aunt, the CEO of Camp For All.

What is Camp For All? Camp For All is a unique camping and retreat facility that works with non-profits from around the Texas region. They host camps and provide activities and challenging programs that leave campers with a smile on their face from the moment they arrive on the grounds.  Most of the groups involved with Camp For All are children with life challenges and special needs. Often, campers arrive and are surprised to meet other kids with their condition, and Camp For All’s no-judgment environment helps them form friendships that last beyond their week at camp.

I first volunteered at Camp For All right out of college by helping Camp Periwinkle for several years on their opening carnival day.  Camp Periwinkle is a week-long camp for patients of Texas Children’s Cancer Center.  I’ll never forget seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces as they stepped off of the busses and marched into their cabins for the week. I never minded manning the dunking booth - where being dunked was actually kind of welcoming on a hot August day!

When organizing a Kalypso Kares event this summer, I knew Camp For All was the perfect place to bring Texas Kalypsonians together for a morning of painting, sweating and karing.  I’m hoping to extend the tradition for years to come and I’m proud to have fellow Kalypsonians join me in helping all children go to camp and have the time of their lives.

Learn more about Camp For All at campforall.org

Topics: Camp For All, Charity, Community, Kalypso Kares, Will Pike

About the Authors

Will Pike, Manager Read more articles by Will Pike

Reagan Pugh, Raconteur Reagan likes to watch, read and tell stories. He often wishes he was Batman - you know, grappling hooks. Read more articles by Reagan Pugh