Camp Brain Spotlight
Meet Volunteer Karen Heslop
By Christina Eichelkraut
Every year, the Brain Injury Association of Arizona takes a group of adult brain injury survivors up north to Camp Brain, an overnight camp specifically designed for brain injury survivors at all levels of cognitive and physical ability.
The camp is held at Whispering Hope Ranch, a unique campsite that is fully accessible. Paved trails and other adaptations enable campers to participate in everything from a walk – or roll – in the woods to archery and horseback riding. Navigating a world created primarily for the non-disabled and non-neurodivergent can be exhausting, and Camp Brain serves as a welcome respite for survivors as they are in an environment built for them and with others who understand their situation.
The camp, a signature BIAAZ program, is funded by BIAAZ through sponsorships, donations and the year-long efforts of volunteers who work tirelessly to put on the annual Run, Walk & Roll fundraiser. These contributions allow BIAAZ to partly subsidize the costs of camp, bringing it down from $900 per camper to $350. Volunteers do not pay.
In addition to staff members, Camp Brain is also fueled by incredible volunteers who help campers with various events and help facilitate activities.
Karen Heslop is a regular Camp Brain volunteer. She had her first summer there in 2018 and, except for a Covid hiatus, has returned every year since.
“It is just such a beautiful experience, and I love it,” Heslop said.
Camp Brain Spotlight
Meet Volunteer Karen Heslop
By Christina Eichelkraut
Every year, the Brain Injury Association of Arizona takes a group of adult brain injury survivors up north to Camp Brain, an overnight camp specifically designed for brain injury survivors at all levels of cognitive and physical ability.
The camp is held at Whispering Hope Ranch, a unique campsite that is fully accessible. Paved trails and other adaptations enable campers to participate in everything from a walk – or roll – in the woods to archery and horseback riding. Navigating a world created primarily for the non-disabled and non-neurodivergent can be exhausting, and Camp Brain serves as a welcome respite for survivors as they are in an environment built for them and with others who understand their situation.
The camp, a signature BIAAZ program, is funded by BIAAZ through sponsorships, donations and the year-long efforts of volunteers who work tirelessly to put on the annual Run, Walk & Roll fundraiser. These contributions allow BIAAZ to partly subsidize the costs of camp, bringing it down from $900 per camper to $350. Volunteers do not pay.
In addition to staff members, Camp Brain is also fueled by incredible volunteers who help campers with various events and help facilitate activities.
Karen Heslop is a regular Camp Brain volunteer. She had her first summer there in 2018 and, except for a Covid hiatus, has returned every year since.
“It is just such a beautiful experience, and I love it,” Heslop said.
Heslop learned about Camp Brain while completing a program to become an occupational therapy assistant. Though at the time she did not specialize in brain injury, but she did work with several brain injury survivors at a rehabilitation hospital while doing her field work.
She was amazed at what she called “the miracle that can happen with therapy” when it came to a brain injury survivor’s recovery.
“It’s amazing what can happen in just a period of just a few weeks,” Heslop said.
So in 2024, Heslop and a co-worker signed up to be Camp Brain volunteers. Since they both already had some experience in equine therapy, they lent a helping hand to the talented Whispering Hope equestrian staff, helping campers to experience the fun and benefits of riding a horse.
“We both kind of took the reins on that part of it,” Heslop said, unable to resist the pun.
In addition to the practical parts of volunteering, Heslop said, much of the experience centered around simply adding to the respite experience for campers.
“Initially, it was just talking to everybody, making them feel more comfortable, making them feel loved, listening to their stories,” Heslop said. “Giving them a respite from their normal world and their normal life.”
Heslop said she understood how volunteering for Camp Brain might be intimidating for someone who has never done it before.
“It wasn’t scary,” Heslop said. “Going in, because it’s something new, and sometimes you don’t know how a brain-injured person is going to react, but it was just a comfortable, easy situation.”
For the most part, Heslop said, the key was simply being willing to have an open ear and heart for the survivors.
“It wasn’t overwhelming,” Heslop said. “Everybody has their story. And if you’re just willing to put yourself out there and talk to them and listen to them, that’s all they want.”
Heslop loves volunteering so much she has even encouraged others to volunteer as well.
“As a volunteer, it’s the funnest weekend of the year for me,” Heslop said.
Support Camp Brain
You can support Camp Brain by sponsoring a camper or becoming a volunteer yourself. Visit the Camp Brain website for more information.
Christina Eichelkraut is a former print journalist who founded Christina Copy Co. in 2011. When her keyboard isn’t clacking, she bakes complex artisan bread, nerds out on political science, uses her fountain pens to write to pen pals the world over, and reads long past her bedtime in a joyful disregard of her alleged adulthood. Christina earned her B.A. in Mass Communications with an emphasis in print journalism in 2006 from Franklin Pierce University.
ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA
The Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.
What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.