Crescentia True's diagnosis was grave. The cancer in her left breast was advanced, doctors told her, and would require major surgery. After the initial shock, True thought of Emma and Eryn, her two daughters who were only eight and 10 at the time. She needed a plan to help them cope with the traumatic situation.
"They didn't want to talk much about it," True said. "I imagined they had fear in their hearts and heads every day that something terrible was going to happen."
Eager to ease the burden Emma and Eryn carried, True developed On Belay, an experiential learning program designed with optimism in mind. The concept was innovative: instead of lamenting the cancer prognosis of a loved one, children who participated in On Belay would set personal challenges, build skills and discover a sense of kinship with kids in similar situations.
That was in 2001. Today, three years a survivor, True is now more committed than ever to reaching out to children whose lives are troubled by cancer. Saturday marked the second successful On Belay event at UNH's Browne Center. Aided by student volunteers from Mills Hall, True provided 11 children with an entire day of learning, laughter and most importantly, a lighthearted escape from cancer's dismal presence.
"This day is just about the kids," True said on the eve of the event. "If the most they get out of On Belay is a really fun day, then I will feel satisfied."
Saturday dawned cloudy and cold. At the Browne Center, young On Belay participants and Mills Hall volunteers stood shoulder-length apart in a large circle. Enthusiastic even at nine in the morning, Crescentia True was already implementing her optimism-is-best policy.
"I want you to do me a favor," she told the quiet crowd. "We all have cancer in our lives, you know, the big C word. Today, I want you to take that cancer off your back and fling it into the air."
With a collective sweep of their arms, young On Belay participants abandoned the heavy weight of cancer for the day.
In sailing terminology, to belay means to secure or hold fast. Borrowing from adventure learning philosophies, On Belay encourages children ages 10 to 18 to overcome personal and group challenges with a variety of interactive tasks. With its impressive ropes course and fully trained staff, the Browne Center for Innovative Learning provides the perfect environment for this type of experiential education.
Josina Flueher-Lobban is a Browne Center employee who worked directly with Crescentia True to develop the On Belay program.
"At the Center we use an adventure approach to learning that combines activity with reflection," Flueher-Lobban said. "The focus of On Belay is for the participants to
step away from some of the challenges that they may be facing in their lives and to work with other young people who may be having similar experiences."
On Saturday, deep in the forests behind the Browne Center, Flueher-Lobban asked On Belay participants to mime their favorite pastimes. By pretending to ski, swim and dance together, participants grew more comfortable and confident. Working as a team, they completed one challenging task after another as the morning progressed. Peals of laughter erupted through the forest. High fives abounded. Overhead, sunshine began to poke through the clouds.
As a Hall Director, Jennifer Scumaci is always on the lookout for new community service projects for her residents. When a colleague told her about On Belay, Scumaci immediately wondered if she could partner Mills Hall with True's up-and-coming program.
"I'm always so motivated when I see people trying to do good things within communities," Scumaci said of True's undertaking. "I'm inspired by people who take something negative and attempt to create something positive."
Scumaci invited True to speak at a Mills Hall social last month. Profoundly touched by True's story of tribulation and triumph, nearly 20 residents expressed interest in volunteering with the program.
The collaboration proved to be a perfect match. Whether chatting with younger participants about their favorite movies or giving them piggyback rides through the forest, volunteers from Mills Hall helped contribute to Saturday's lighthearted
atmosphere. Throughout the day, they offered words of encouragement and rounds of applause as participants tackled new challenges.
"It's been great to see the kids progress throughout the day," said Steve Call, a Mills Hall resident who gave up his Saturday morning to work with On Belay. "They've really pushed themselves on the ropes course, I think they've all learned a lot and it looks to me like they're really having fun out there."
For the program's participants, fun was indeed the word of the day. They frolicked through the woods together and hid behind trees. At snack time, they compared their middle school sports teams over apples and muffins. They jumped up and down with excitement. They giggled, quietly at first, and then laughed so hard juice spurted from their mouths. And not one person mentioned the C word. For one day, they were allowed to forget.
True believes in the power of optimism. Her daughters have attended two On Belay programs and, already, the painful scars left from their mother's battle with breast cancer are beginning to heal. It is True's goal to instill that sense of hope in other children living in the Durham area whose lives have been impacted by cancer. In the months ahead, she plans to further develop On Belay and, with adequate funding, would like to run the program up to four times a year.
"I have no plans of cancer getting the best of me anytime soon," True said, watching from the wings as Emma and Eryn clowned around with their new friends. "But I have to try and use my experience to make a positive difference. That's the gift of this cancer. I don't want it to be for nothing."
For more information about the On Belay program at the Browne Center for Innovative Learning, contact Josina at josina@brownecenter.com or call 603 868 1772.
For more information about how to volunteer at the next On Belay event with students from Mills Hall, contact Jennifer Scumaci at jennifer.scumaci@unh.edu.
For more information about the Browne Center for Innovative Learning, visit www.brownecenter.com.
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