Starlight Foundation shines bright at Camp Pontiac

COPAKE — The weekend of June 7 through June 9 was one that 250 Tri-​state area children and families from the Starlight Children’s Foundation will never forget; they spent it at Camp Pontiac in Copake. Part of Starlight Children’s Foundation’s “Great Escapes” program, the weekend was designed to help seriously ill children and their families receive a break from the challenges of hospital visits, make vital connections with other families, provide a renewed sense of hope and most of all, encourage fun. The weekend at Camp Pontiac was just one of the many meaningful “Great Escapes” programs that create lasting memories for more than 5,000 children and families in the Tri-​state area each year. The program connects children to other children, families to other families and helps children break free from the isolation that often accompanies an illness while letting them know they are not alone. “Great Escapes” outings include baseball games, concerts, the circus, museums, hospital parties and much more. In addition to providing outings for the children and their families, Starlight Children’s Foundation also provides in-​hospital programs for children to help brighten their days while undergoing treatment. “The Camp Pontiac Great Escape provides Starlight children with serious illnesses the opportunity to forget about their medical conditions and have fun,” said Elaine Siver, executive director of Starlight Children’s Foundation NY*NJ*CT. “They get to enjoy activities that they wouldn’t normally be exposed to, while bonding with their families, and other children who also face medical challenges on a daily basis. It is an invaluable part of our program and we cannot thank the generous Etra family enough for donating their time and resources.”Children and their families were able to go zip-​lining, take cooking classes, unleash their creativity in arts and crafts, watch movies in the camp’s movie theater, play in the arcade room, or simply relax around a camp fire. “We look forward to it every year,” said Rick Etra, owner. “Not every child can participate in every activity that we offer due to varying physical capabilities, but seeing the joy in their faces as they try new experiences and take on exciting challenges is simply spectacular. We are fortunate to be able to offer them such opportunities.”Camp Pontiac, located in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, is a beautiful state-​of-​the-​art facility and owned by twin brothers, Doctors Richard and Kenneth Etra. The Etra’s have owned the facility since 1995 but the camp has been in existence since 1922.For more information on this event or Starlight Children’s Foundation call 212-354-2878 or go to www.starlight-​newyork.org.April Guillerme is the director of public relations, marketing & communications for the Starlight Foundation.