09/18/2008 - Michael Tomko, GoDuke.com

DURHAM, N.C. – Juniors Meredith Bannon and Shannon Beall of the Duke women’s swimming team took time out of training for the upcoming season to visit Camp Kaleidoscope, a summer camp for children with chronic and terminal illness, on Thursday, July 24.

The two hung out with about 30 children at Camp K making crafts, eating lunch, taking photographs and sharing their experiences going to school at Duke University and being a student athlete.

“I think it is great for student athletes to go get involved because I know that the kids were amazed and looked up to us,” Beall said. “If we are out there in the community helping them out I think it really helps us realize how lucky we, are and to do what we do and be a good role model for the kids out there is great.”
One kid at the camp that loves to swim found the courage to challenge Bannon and Beall to a race in Kerr Lake.

Two counselors and a lifeguard raced with the camper, Bannon and Beall with Beall winning the race but said the kid was pretty fast and did a great job doing the breastroke.

Bannon said the two were more than happy to get in Kerr Lake and race the kid.

“It was very eye opening. It is a regular camp. The kids do regular things. I had a great time,” Beall said.

Bannon and Beall said they would enjoy doing the camp again next summer and hopefully they can spend more time there and do more activities with the kids.
Bannon also volunteers when she is in Florida at Camp Boggy Creek, which is a year round camp for seriously ill children.

“For me community service is not about doing something for me, it is about doing something for the kids,” Bannon said.

Members of the Swim Team also participate in ‘Swimming with the Blue Devils’, a program that gives swimming lessons to children once a month.
Players and coaches of the men’s soccer team visited Camp K on July 17.

Camp Kaleidoscope is run by Duke Children’s Hospital allowing sick children the chance to participate in summer camp activities. The camp has been open since 1979. More than 1,000 children and teens have attended the camp since it opened.