KERRVILLE, Texas – Camp Discovery, a camp for children ages 7 to 16 who are battling or have battled cancer, has been operating for 32 years. This year, Camp Discovery's Texas Lions Camp location near Kerrville is hosting close to 150 kids.
"Not many people that I've met have had it," said Nicolai Johnson, 10, who faced cancer early in life.
For Nicolai and others who attend the camp, the fact that fellow campers understand each other makes it a special experience.
"I know that there are other people that are like me around me and they won't say mean stuff to me," said Jolissa Martinez, 8, who is currently battling cancer.
"It's nice that you know that you're not going to be judged, you know, for having, like, a scar," added Mariah Farra, 15, who has been cancer-free for 10 years.
The camp focuses on camaraderie and fun and includes activities like music, art and zip lining. It's funded completely by the nonprofit company VisionWorks Inc.
"Camp Discovery is one of the few left in the nation that's completely free for the camper and the parent, so there's no obligation financially for anybody," said Brad Wisdom, a volunteer at the camp.
On Thursday, the camp hosted the United States marshals, who allowed the campers to test out their law enforcement equipment and swore the kids in as deputy junior U.S. marshals.
The children will attend the camp through Saturday.