WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- A summer camp for children with serious medical conditions is taking its excitement and fun beyond the gates.
Through its REACH program, Victory Junction in Randleman brings specialized camp-style programming to children at their hospital bedsides year round.
Braeden Goudelock has been at Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem for four days after a zipline accident.
"He lost his grip and fell onto a concrete pad,” explained his dad, Jason Goudelock. “He broke his femur, his hip, his pelvis and his left wrist. He also has a mild concussion."
Goudelock says his 9-year-old was having a really hard time until he came to Victory Junction's REACH program in the hospital's child life room.
"Knowing the pain he's going through the last four days,” Goudelock said. “He's not smiled a lot, which is understandable, but to come in and watch him enjoy doing something, see him smile again, it's refreshing."
"It's nice for them helping me because I am so broken and have a broken body,” Braeden Goudelock said. “I like them helping me."
The nonprofit helps kids be kids through activities like arts and crafts, archery and games.
"It's taking the magic of camp that kids experience at Victory Junction to their bedside or a playroom,” said REACH program director Jonathan Lemmon.
“Just to help normalize the environment, and not be so scary while they're here,” said Kristi Marth with Brenner Children's Hospital.
The program serves 5,000 children and their families each year at 23 hospitals and Ronald McDonald houses across the Carolinas.
It’s lifting the spirits of families like the Goudelocks by helping them have a little bit of fun!
"I've loved them taking care of me to help me feel better,” Braeden said.
Carolinas Credit Union Foundation fully funds the REACH program, but it's looking to expand, and is asking for your help.
For more information, visit http://victoryjunction.org/.