Miss Ivy

Horses remind Miss Ivy of her youth in Trinidad, where she grew up on a farm. Her entire face lights up as she leans in from her wheelchair to speak softly to her favorite horse as if it were an old friend; while the horse responds with gentle nudges.

Miss Ivy and other residents of St. Augustine Health Campus love going to summer camp each year at Camp Cheerful, an ADA accessible camp in Strongsville. An army of St. Augustine staff and volunteers make sure every resident has their very own special experience – from friendship to fishing, swimming to sing-a-longs, crafts and campfires.

“One of the most amazing things we do at St. Augustine is to take residents from nursing care and assisted living to camp,” says Dana Carns, who coordinates the weeklong outing. “We are the only long-term care facility in the state to do this. Summer camp gives the residents a sense of normalcy and dignity.”

Kathy, a resident of St. Augustine Towers, calls Camp Cheerful “a beautiful gift.” She adds, “There is much more freedom when you are out in nature. It’s relaxing, and not confining. It’s an experience we could have no place else.”