When we dropped Bryan off for his first week at Camp Cranium, we were a little nervous. But we had no idea just how important a part of his life it would become. Thinking back to the day we picked him up, there was a smile on his face and a look in his eyes that showed us the experience had changed him.

The taste of independence, the feeling that he could do anything, the confidence and determination as Bryan, a kid who was scared of heights and was still working hard on his balance and flexibility as he recovered from a stroke, talked about climbing a rock wall and showed off his ability to cross a balance beam on the playground...it's no wonder he looks forward to going back all year. He hates saying good-bye and leaving at the end of each camp week.

This was 2016, and many years later, Camp Cranium is still his happy place every June!

Camp Cranium is a nonprofit dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind experience for children ages 13-18 who have been diagnosed with an acquired brain injury/traumatic brain injury. They believe in the power of expanding the horizons of children who otherwise might not get the chance to experience something so joyful and transformative if not for their programs. They do it because we love seeing campers grow, enjoy independence they don’t always get, make friends, and create memories!

Camp Cranium affects everyone it touches, parents very much included. We know how special our kids are, and it's comforting to know that we're leaving them with people who see what we see in them and will encourage them to try things they may otherwise never get a chance to experience. In addition to knowing that our kids are having a blast all week, we appreciate the opportunity to meet and swap stories with other families who understand what everyone's been through and share many of the same concerns

We have participated in (and volunteered for) the BIAPA Run, Walk, Roll for several years now. This fun opportunity makes supporting the important work BIAPA does and the incredible people who make Camp Cranium possible as easy as a walk in the park!

Impact is hard to prove, but it's powerfully visible in the campers, counselors and organizers of Camp Cranium. We see some of them throughout the year, during medical check-ups and at some of the events they organize for campers.

Consider supporting our team -- and, better yet, join us for the run in April 26!

Your support of the Run, Walk, Roll for Brain Injury will support Camp Cranium's inclusive programs for children with brain injuries and the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania's prevention activities, such as Brain Safety Fairs.