Last February 9, 2013, Camp Braveheart was held in Fun Ranch, Ortigas, Pasig City. This year’s theme is “Valiant Hearts”. It is the seventh run of the annual camp originally conceived by the Council of Congenital Heart Disease of the Philippine Heart Association. This year, both the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority have committed to become major partners in organizing this event in cooperation with the Philippine Society of Pediatric Cardiology.
Camp Braveheart is an annual event that is envisioned to empower children who had heart surgery and help them transition from a life of limited activity and exposure to one with hope and endless possibilities, and eventually become happy and productive members of society.
The event kicked off with a welcome remark from Philippine Heart Association President Isabelo Ongtengco and then soon followed by an inspiration message delivered by Brod Jose Jonas Dino del Rosario Φ1986, Council on Congenital Heart Disease Chairperson. Pediatric cardiologists and cardiology fellows from the Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Heart Center and Philippine Childrens’ Medical Center also attended the event and delivered lectures to the parents about congenital heart disease and how to take care of their children with this condition.
Exciting team-building activities and games under the assistance of the brods and sisses were provided to the kids by the Storms Outdoor Club. The activities were meant to promote positive self-esteem while having fun and learning lessons and values. These activities also help provided the children with a chance to build friendships and memories to last a lifetime. The kids were grouped into eight teams and were tasked to make their group cheers, flags, and accomplish different tasks which stimulated them both physically and mentally. There were also some pool games that the kids really enjoyed.
The Camp was also graced by Mr. Kim Atienza, who himself was a patient of Dr. Del Rosario for a similar condition. Evident in the participants’ faces were their excitement to see Kuya Kim as he gave some trivia about the various animals that he brought with him, including a snake which he wrapped over his shoulder. He also gave an inspirational talk, sharing his experience coping with his heart disease and how he has moved forward.
The team building activities then commenced, where the participants were divided into four groups. They each had their turn in the five stations distributed within the vicinity, with each station having a specific task, all of which aim to develop among the children critical thinking and teamwork. After the “amazing race”, the participants were given an all-access pass to the rides at the Fun Ranch.
Prizes were given to all the winning teams during the awarding ceremony where all participants and volunteers were given certificates.
The organizers of Camp Braveheart believe that every child — even those with heart conditions — have limitless possibilities. The camp aims to help them realize their potential to succeed in life and help them realize that these potentials are indeed attainable. Every kid with a valiant heart is a victor in life.
