A taste of camping sparks happy memories for retirement home residents

Visit to activity director’s campsite deeply enjoyed
8/31/2015  - Michelle Strutzenberger
Residents of Rosewood Manor relishing an afternoon outdoors.  

Though the campfire got a bit smoky at times and the air was chilly, Rosewood Manor residents thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon excursion to the campsite of activity director Beverly James last week.

“They loved it,” James says. “They didn’t care if it was overcast. They all had jackets on and they just truly enjoyed it.”

While James likes to organize an outing to her home each year, this year she decided that her trailer camping site could offer another form of community outing.

Judging by the response from residents, the outdoor experience may have to become a yearly tradition.

While James barbecued hotdogs and hamburgers complete with a favourite treat of fried onions, the 13 residents sat in lawn chairs around the fire and shared stories of their glory days of travelling and camping.

“You know how a fire can be smoky when you first start it, but they didn’t care; they were saying we’ve all been through that,” James says.

“They talked about their kids and their camping, the fun they had.”

In the busy park, children still out from school rode by on their bikes, adding a pleasant energy to the experience.

The barbecued meats, accented by slices of watermelon, two salads and some wine and beer, tasted especially delicious being in the great outdoors, James adds.

As the signs of fall begin to illuminate the trees, James hopes to organize another outing for residents to take in the autumn beauty. She would like to conclude that excursion with another visit to her trailer, she says.

Rosewood Manor residents have the opportunity to sign up for community outings organized by James and the home’s activity department.

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