Sun Escape Weekend
By Allie Hylton
May 27, 2024
A Beacon of Hope for Sun-Sensitive Families
Victory Junction loves the opportunity to serve new populations and diagnosis groups. In Spring 2024, we had the privilege of working with a truly unique group for the very first time. We collaborated with two wonderful organizations, the United Porphyrias Association (UPA) and Shadow Jumpers, to deliver the first-ever Sun Escape Weekend at Victory Junction.
UPA and Shadow Jumpers are both organizations that serve families who have one or more individuals living with significant sun sensitivity. UPA focuses on individuals with specific porphyria diagnoses, while Shadow Jumpers serves those affected by a broader range of sun-related conditions, diseases, and disorders. While the populations they serve may slightly differ, both organizations share a mission to connect with and serve their communities in intentional and meaningful ways. This year, that meant a family weekend at Victory Junction designed specifically for them.
Our Victory Junction team was honored to work alongside UPA’s President, Kristen Wheeden, and Shadow Jumper’s Chair, Craig Leppert. Both Kristen and Craig have been personally impacted by sun-related diagnoses and are passionate about bringing meaningful opportunities to other families affected by these disease groups. During our first conversation with UPA and Shadow Jumpers, Kristen and Craig shared that these diagnoses especially impact individuals during their childhoods. As summer approaches and their peers get excited about pool, beach, lake, and other sun-heavy activities, these kids are reminded of the limitations their diagnoses impose. Because they spend much of their time “escaping” from the sun, their mental health can also be heavily impacted. For all these reasons, Victory Junction knew we wanted to be part of a making a fun Camp weekend for this special group.
This weekend retreat hosted 20 families and dozens of Sun Escape volunteers, all impacted by sun-related diagnoses, either personally or through the diagnosis of a loved one. Sun Escape Weekend was designed and meticulously prepared to keep these individuals as safe as possible, while also giving them the opportunity to experience Camp magic without stressing about their diagnosis.
Preparation for Sun Escape Weekend epitomized the saying, “It takes a village.” In January, Kristen and Craig visited VJ to tour and assess our program areas for light and sunlight exposure. After the initial visit, we determined that most program areas needed at least a portion of the windows covered with opaque, light-blocking material. Shortly after our first conversation with our Facilities Team about this program, our VP of Facilities found a company willing to donate all the necessary fabric for the task of making Camp safer for this group. Additionally, the Facilities Team recruited wonderful volunteers to help cut, sew, and prepare the fabric, as well as hang them for the program. By the time the families arrived for their Sun Escape Weekend, all program areas were prepped and ready for a sun-safe experience.
With these extra steps to create safe spaces and an intentionally designed program schedule, the Sun Escape families experienced almost everything VJ has to offer. Families were given the opportunity to participate in typical program areas like the Super Dome, bowling, horseback riding, animal adventure, archery, arts & crafts, and Adam’s Race Shop. With some creative scheduling, our Program Team also arranged evening activities such as boating & fishing, zipline, and carnival games. In a post-program debrief, Kristen and Craig revealed that the most meaningful aspect for families was that someone else had thought of them and prepared for them so intentionally. Kristen even stated that she thought it was “an overwhelmingly successful event!”
Both the Victory Junction and Sun Escape teams agree that the weekend was a success. The combination of their mission to build community for these families and our mission to create safe Camp fun for families resulted in an impactful weekend. We are excited to host another Sun Escape Weekend in Spring 2025!
