One by one, smiles grew on each of the children’s faces. They hugged old friends and found new ones, laughing and playing, because for a week, the scars and IVs wouldn’t matter.

Camp Alphie is a non-profit organization created to give children in any stage of cancer and their families an escape from the difficult fight against cancer. The camp was founded in 1988 by cancer survivor Betty Sterquell. The camp, located at Ceta Canyon, lasts from Sunday to Friday. Campers graduate when they are 14. The week entails many activities, including a shaving cream war and a dance Thursday night.

“Every time I come back, it’s like there is a new thing,” 8-year-old camper Marli Brito said. “I’m going to miss all the fun with the shaving cream war. My favorite thing to do is play with all my friends. I want to be a counselor after I graduate.”

Several former campers returned as counselors. Tiffany Thompson attended the camp for six years before becoming a counselor.

“I love the camp, the kids, and the activities,” Thompson said. “It gives everyone a chance to get away for a little while.”

The camp is funded by donations. The staff is composed of volunteers. The Junior League of Amarillo helps at the camp every year. Junior League volunteer Holly Moore has worked at Camp Alphie for two years.

“I’m a teacher so I get to work with kids. It is so cool to see them not in the school setting,” Moore said. “I like doing it during the summer because it gives me something to do. It’s fun because you get to see their different personalities. They’re all very spunky.”

The parents of the children also have a chance to take a vacation at the Parents’ Camp. They stay at the Adaberry Inn and enjoy a week of fun activities and volunteering. This year, they provided dinner and cookies at the Ronald McDonald House for the families currently housed there. Parent Laurie Etheridge has attended the camp for seven years.

“It brings awareness to something that’s so important to kids,” Etheridge said. “When we wear our shirts out in public, we tell them what Camp Alphie is.”

Counselor Ryan Winger first heard about the camp when he was a Chaplain at Cal Farley’s Boys’ Ranch. He noticed that the camp needed more male counselors.

“You really to get to have fun with all of the kids and just be silly,” Winger said. “It’s good to see them want to come back and remember you. You make lasting relationships, and you get to see them grow up.”

However, even with the week of freedom from cancer, the fight isn’t over. In Winger’s years as a counselor, he has seen five children die.

“You don’t want it to happen, but reality makes it,” Winger said. “It’s just tough sometimes. You wish the camp didn’t have to exist, but you’re glad it does. Camp Alphie is something that is close to my heart. Someone told me, ‘this is one of the things that you’ll do that matters in life.’”

Camp Director Michael Qualls worked at Cal Farley’s Boys’ Ranch with Winger as a Chaplain. Winger told him about a camp in Ceta Canyon for children with cancer, and that they were looking for someone to lead the camp. Winger felt that Qualls should apply for the job.

“I enjoy getting to see the kids every year,” Qualls said. “My favorite thing is getting to connect with my friends in Amarillo. I moved four-and-a-half hours away to Fort Worth. I’m a teacher, and it’s amazing getting to see them grow. One of the other counselors used to be one of my students. I love to see them come back as counselors.”

Qualls has been the camp director for five years.

“These kids are stronger than I’ll ever be,” Qualls said. “It’s important to surround yourself with positive friends and family and love and encourage each other. Camp Alphie is a family.”