The BASH: April 2011

This past weekend, us BASH members, took 40 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Teen Impact Patients to a 3 day retreat, at El Capitan Ranch, in Santa Barbara, California. We had the most amazing time, and not only was it a chance for us BASH members to bond with each other, but we without a doubt made long lasting friendships with all of the patients. It was a truly valuable experience, and one that we will never forget. These patients have gone through so much, and overcome hardships which we could never imagine. What made this retreat such a success, however, was seeing how they could let all that go, and have fun, and get the opportunity to be just like normal teenagers. Upon arrival, we greeted them, and gave them many different choices for different workshops, which we arranged for them, such as a photography workshop, and acting workshop, a hip-hop dancing workshop, and improv workshop, a screen-writing workshop, and a glam tent workshop. We wanted to show them that each and everyone of them are special, and can do whatever they want to do in life, and be successful. All of them really enjoyed all that we offered, and continuously thanked us for what we do. Prior to the retreat, we had training sessions with Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, and they told us that we had to prepare ourselves, because this could be very emotional for us. They were right. One of the teenage girls, did not go to dinner the second night, and we found her crying, alone, at her picnic table outside of her cabin. At first she did not want to talk to us about what had happened, but then she told us that her best friend had just passed away. She told us that she couldn't contact her friend, because her friend's parents could not afford a cell phone for her, and that she did not know what to do, or how to deal with this incredibly heart-breaking loss. We comforted her, brought her dinner to her, talked to her about everything that was going on, and then took her to the neon-dance party that we had planned for that night. We could see that she was beginning to cheer up, and later that night she came and personally thanked us for making her feel better, and restoring her hope that people DO care. Being at this retreat made each and every one of us so proud to be a part of such a great organization, which truly changes lives. The fact that the patient who's friend passed away had no means of contact, deeply saddened us, and is the reason for which we raise funds, to give back to the teens of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, providing them with iPods, iPads, Phones, Games, Computers, and more. The retreat was extremely sucessful, and we cannot wait for next year!
Here are some pictures of the event: