Inaugural Gary Summers Camp Scholarship Awarded

Gary Summers was a long time member of our Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia family serving on the board of directors. He was a constant presence at every EFGA event, helped to coordinate epilepsy presentations to federal employees through his workplace, 

the US Department of Labor, and served in a leadership role as our Treasurer for many years. Tragically, we lost Gary in January 2013 after a courageous multi-year battle with cancer. Prior to his death, the EFGA created the Gary Summers Camp Scholarship Fund in his honor, allowing Gary to know his name would continue to be associated with the Epilepsy Foundation’s work for years to come.

At the 2013 Annual Dinner, we were fortunate to have Gary’s family, his wife Carol and sons Russell and Stephen, join us for the inaugural awarding of the Gary Summers Camp Scholarship. This year’s recipient mirrors many facets of Gary. Like Gary, she is an athlete, participating in swimming, softball and soccer. Like Gary’s beloved Nittanny Lions, her school colors are dark blue. She also shares in his academic prowess, as she is taking AP courses at her school as a junior. Most importantly, like Gary, she is not ashamed of her epilepsy and does not hide from it. Each year she devotes her Facebook entries for the entire month of November (Epilepsy Month) to educating others about seizure disorders. She also serves on the affiliate’s Epilepsy Youth Advisory Council , and most recently represented Georgia at the Kids Speak Up conference in Washington, DC. The inaugural recipient of the Gary Summers Camp Scholarship is Taylor Bradish of Grovetown. 

2013 Camp Information Released

The Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia is pleased to announce its’ 2013 Epilepsy Summer Camp Schedule. This year all camp sessions will take place in partnership with Camp Twin Lakes, a network of camps providing life-changing camp experiences each year to thousands of Georgia children who have serious illnesses, disabilities and life challenges. The site for all camp sessions will be at Camp Twin Lake’s facility within Ft. Yargo State Park near Winder, Georgia. It has recently gone through an extensive renovation, adding a new pool, an amphitheater overlooking the lake, new fishing areas, a new gymnasium and upgraded cabins.

Open House weekends will be held prior to the summer by Camp Twin Lakes (Visit www.camptwinlakes.org for calendar) for those interested in visiting the facility.

The camps will provide the typical fun camp activities that all kids deserve, but with the added safeguards of a trained medical staff, low counselor to camper ratio and all staff trained in seizure recognition/first aid. We offer three camp sessions which are designed to meet the different needs within the epilepsy population and age groups.

Camp Carpe Diem (Latin for Seize the Day)
This marks the third year for Camp Carpe Diem, which is held in partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This camp will serve children ages 7-15, who have good control with their seizure medications. Camp Carpe Diem will run from May 26 - May 31, 2013. EFGA will subsidize a major portion of the camp fee for each participant. Registration is now closed for the 2013 session.

                   

Camp Big Heart
Managed by the Civitan Club of Georgia, Camp Big Heart is appropriate for those persons who have a developmental disability in addition to their seizure disorder. Camp Big Heart holds two sessions. The first session will be held June 16- June 21, 2013 and is for children ages 7 through 25. The second session is for adults ages 26 and above and will be held June 23-28. EFGA will subsidize a major portion of the camp fee for each participant.

Questions concerning camp may be directed to Lloyd Brown, lloyd@epilepsyga.org.