1. Lisa “Sport” Ely
Camp Counselor
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times
“Camp has made me who I am today” – Lisa Ely
Lisa Ely became involved with Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times while
she was a student at the University of Southern California nearly two decades ago.
While interning at KTLA, Lisa was encouraged by a colleague to apply to become a
Camp Counselor. Although this opportunity may seem like a surprising choice for a
student with a budding career in the entertainment industry, Ely recalls it as one of
the best decisions she has ever made.
As a young woman, Lisa had virtually no experience with cancer or the
struggles of those facing it. In many ways she recalled feeling “blind” to what being a
Camp Counselor would have in store for her. However, she found that this feeling
quickly dissipated as she began to immerse herself in Camp life. One of her fondest
memories of Camp involved a young boy who despite being diagnosed with terminal
Leukemia, woke up early each day to join her on her morning jog. Before leaving
camp he vowed to come back to camp next year to join Lisa on her morning runs.
His doctors believed he wouldn’t be healthy enough to do so the next year. Upon
arriving to Camp he and Lisa were reunited the very next year against all odds.
According to Lisa, the resilience of these young campers is both inspiring and has
taught her how to “reach outside of [her] comfort zone.”
For Lisa, her favorite part of being a camp counselor is “seeing the change in
campers” as their confidence blossoms during their short time at Camp. Lisa
believes that the magic of Camp lies in that fact that once you arrive at Camp your
“background is effectively wiped out.” At Camp everyone is an equal, which fosters a
sense of community and belonging. Lisa describes the feeling of returning to Camp
year after year as “coming home.” After years of involvement, she says that she feels
lucky “to be who I am at Camp, at home too.”
What began as an unexpected volunteer opportunity during her college years
has become an integral part of who Lisa is. Lisa Ely looks forward to experiencing
“the magic of Camp” for years to come.
![Lisa “Sport” Ely
Camp Counselor
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times
“Camp has made me who I am today” – Lisa Ely
Lisa Ely became involved with Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times while
she was a student at the University of Southern California nearly two decades ago.
While interning at KTLA, Lisa was encouraged by a colleague to apply to become a
Camp Counselor. Although this opportunity may seem like a surprising choice for a
student with a budding career in the entertainment industry, Ely recalls it as one of
the best decisions she has ever made.
As a young woman, Lisa had virtually no experience with cancer or the
struggles of those facing it. In many ways she recalled feeling “blind” to what being a
Camp Counselor would have in store for her. However, she found that this feeling
quickly dissipated as she began to immerse herself in Camp life. One of her fondest
memories of Camp involved a young boy who despite being diagnosed with terminal
Leukemia, woke up early each day to join her on her morning jog. Before leaving
camp he vowed to come back to camp next year to join Lisa on her morning runs.
His doctors believed he wouldn’t be healthy enough to do so the next year. Upon
arriving to Camp he and Lisa were reunited the very next year against all odds.
According to Lisa, the resilience of these young campers is both inspiring and has
taught her how to “reach outside of [her] comfort zone.”
For Lisa, her favorite part of being a camp counselor is “seeing the change in
campers” as their confidence blossoms during their short time at Camp. Lisa
believes that the magic of Camp lies in that fact that once you arrive at Camp your
“background is effectively wiped out.” At Camp everyone is an equal, which fosters a
sense of community and belonging. Lisa describes the feeling of returning to Camp
year after year as “coming home.” After years of involvement, she says that she feels
lucky “to be who I am at Camp, at home too.”
What began as an unexpected volunteer opportunity during her college years
has become an integral part of who Lisa is. Lisa Ely looks forward to experiencing
“the magic of Camp” for years to come.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/710326c4-df2e-41fe-90ec-2df5113a21a0-160315052837/85/Writing-Sample-1-320.jpg)
