The White Mountains in New Hampshire are known for their stunning views, alpine huts and high winds. Counted among them is the Presidential Range, a group of notable summits named for various U.S. Presidents, as one might have guessed.
The Presidential Traverse is a hike that traverses this range, including Mount Washington, the most famous of the lot, known for being the highest peak in the Northeast, as well as Madison, Jefferson and Adams. The trail itself is described as “not for the faint of heart” on AllTrails.com, due in part to the near-complete exposure and high winds present on the range.
It’s not just a day trip either; endeavoring to hike the trail requires planning for at least one overnight, if not two. Bad weather can creep up fast and hit hard, requiring a mad dash for shelter in one of the alpine huts along the trail.
This month a group of 14 volunteers undertook this challenging trek as part of a fundraiser. Their chosen charity: Camp Casco, a local summer camp for children affected by cancer. Since the camp is free to attend, the camp relies on donations and volunteers so they can provide a wonderful, one-of-a-kind camp experience, making sure all campers are safe and happy. Much like the Presidential Traverse, the story of Camp Casco is an incredible journey.
Erin Fletcher Stern cofounded Camp Casco back in 2014 with Dr. Michael Goldberg. Having volunteered for several years at Camp Reach 4 The Sky in San Diego, Fletcher Stern was eager to continue her charity work once she moved to the New England area. However, upon seeking out camps like CR4TS, she came up empty.
That’s not to say that there was a lack of summer camps – anyone who has spent time on the Cape can attest to their abundance. There are camps for young kids, old kids, camps that teach you how to sail or shoot a bow. There are church camps and school camps and even economic camps for those setting their sights on Silicon Valley at a young age. But CR4TS had been special; it catered to children dealing with cancer. Erin had discovered a void, one she decided she would fill with Camp Casco.
Fast forward to 2021. A Facebook post about a fundraising effort catches the eye of Mattapoisett local and Bridgewater State University student Meg McCullough. Camp Casco was asking people to help send children to camp … by hiking.
McCullough thought it was perfect for her. She was already an avid hiker, as well as participating in track and field at Bridgewater State. Athletic altruism was right up her alley, so she signed up immediately. After a roaring success in 2021, she came back this year to do it again.
Meg is not the only one coming back for more. A number of Camp Casco champions have been participating in this challenge since its inception. Beyond those on the front lines of the fundraising effort, the Camp Casco family includes its staff, counselors and, of course, the campers.
Not only does the vast majority of eligible campers return each year, once they’re old enough many make the shift to counselors, something that continued on from CR4TS.
One such camper-turned-counselor was a man named Chris Ramirez. As a teenager, he survived a brain tumor, attended CR4TS, and went on to become a favorite counselor there, going by the nickname “The Incredible Hulk.” A year before Camp Casco came into being, Ramirez passed away from a re-emergence of his brain tumor. He had encapsulated everything the camp stood for and everything Fletcher Stern wanted to bring to her new endeavor. And so, Camp Casco was born, “casco” taken from the Spanish word for Hulk.
McCullough was “excited” to undertake the challenge of the Presidential Traverse. Her sponsored camper, Annie, serves as a reminder what it all is for. The fact that the hike is impressive is a result of its difficulty; not everyone is capable of a two-day trek through the wilderness, even in ideal conditions. McCullough understands this more than the average joe, having embarked on a road trip from Las Vegas to Seattle, hiking in every national park along the way. Thankfully, there’s more than one way to make a difference.
For those looking to stretch their legs in their own neck of the woods, there’s the Trail Blazers program, where participants organize local walks or hike any distance, anywhere they choose. The camp’s website shows a map of the 32 participants in the US, Canada, Honolulu, England and South Korea. The best part of the program, other than the good it does, is its flexibility; you can walk for 10 minutes or 10 miles, down your street or along the Appalachian Trail.
Camp Casco set the Trail Blazers’ fundraising goal at $320, enough to send a child to camp for a day. Much like the rest of the program, Trail Blazers can set their own flexible fundraising goal. As anyone who has been to Camp Casco will attest, every bit helps, whether a step, a dollar, moment or a mile. Any amount donated to Camp Casco helps pay for supplies and helps ensure the campers have access to round-the-clock medical care and one-on-one support.
If you’re interested in becoming a Camp Champion or Trail Blazer in 2023, visit campcasco.org for information on how to sign up, as well as other donation options.
“At camp, cancer instantly becomes the least remarkable thing about you,” the Camp Casco’s website reads, emphasizing how important it is for children to have a childhood. A sentiment that seems almost too simple to state, yet integral to remember.
By Jack MC Staier