When I look at the Children's Beach House family, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude at the generosity of our community members: the parents who go the extra mile to make that class activity a success; the friends who show up on weekends to help with a fundraising event; the countless artists and hobbyists and professionals who make time to share their passion with the next generation. Some of that generosity is highly visible, and some of it happens behind the scenes. But as an organization, we know and value what each of you contributes in support of bright futures for our children and families. Thank you for all that you give to CBH. I hope you see yourself in this month's e-newsletter (directly or indirectly), and I hope we see you (in person!) at our Volunteer Appreciation Event on May 16. (See below for details.)
Richard T. Garrett
Surrounded by Love, Early Learning Comes Easier
The learning in the Child Development Center (CDC) can sometimes be dizzying. At any given moment, children are moving from one activity center to another. Around the coloring table, two boys are showing off how much they know about the super hero characters they are working on. As the competition escalates, longtime volunteer Barb Shelton steps in gracefully to defuse the conflict. By the end of her intervention, the boys have agreed to disagree on whose character has more superpowers. As one of them moves to another activity, he trips on the table leg, but Barb is there to catch him before he hits the wall. Another crisis averted. Across the room a girl is struggling to put a box of toys back on the shelf, the frustration written on her forehead. Then Barb is there beside her, showing her how to work together, making her own funny face of exertion as they both put the box where it belongs.
One of the core strengths of the Child Development Center is the commitment to meet every child where they are. A balance of child-guided and teacher-guided activities every day empowers children to choose and to follow their passions while also assuring the development of key academic and life skills. But letting each child chart their own path requires having enough caring, competent adults to supervise and share those journeys. The Beach House’s commitment to a 1:5 adult-to-child ratio means that we rely on the regular involvement of parents, friends, and community members who invest their time generously with our children. These safe, stable, and nurturing relationships aren’t a luxury in child development; they are the foundation of providing what all kids need to manage stress, build resilience, and foster adaptive skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives.
Every day, volunteers like Barb are showing up to catch, care for, and create with our kids. They’re providing an extra set of hands for a child who’s developing fine motor skills. They are cheerleaders for a kid who has just learned how to propel herself on the swings. They're grabbing a string of colored sashes and joining a dance party in progress.
In short, our volunteers demonstrate to kids that they’re worth it. That their play, their learning, their delight, and even their challenges are worth our time and attention. Routinely showing kids that they matter is a core component of building strong foundations that will carry a child through whatever life may bring them.
Dr. Chris Keeps YDP Campers Healthy from Day 1
As every parent knows, before any child first arrives at camp, there is a mountain of paperwork to be completed, including a physical exam. It’s crucial for the child’s health and safety and mandatory for camp operations, but it can pose an obstacle for many families. Doctors are too few and too busy, scheduling patients six to twelve months out. Lack of insurance or high co-pays can also prevent families from accessing this simple but essential service. For the child, the camp experience itself is on the line.
Enter Dr. Christine Degnon, “Dr. Chris” at camp, who frequently steps in to complete physical exams for new campers who are not able to do so before arrival. With only a few days’ or a few hours’ notice, Dr. Chris will run over to the Beach House from her practice on Savannah Road where she has practiced Direct Primary Care since 2018. New campers are often feeling trepidation, so Dr. Chris knows her first job is to help them feel safe and seen so she can talk honestly with them about their health background.
With degrees from Bucknell University, Penn State University, and Boston University, Dr. Chris has practiced medicine all over the country. Prior to her move to Lewes, she taught medical students and residents at the University of Texas. Her introduction to Children’s Beach House came in the form of a flyer. “I couldn’t give money while my practice was getting off the ground,” she says, “so it was really important to me to give whatever time I could.” Six years and many patients later, Dr. Chris is still making time for CBH. “It requires so little of me, but for the campers it’s the difference between coming to camp or not coming to camp.”
Over the years, she’s gotten to know many campers on her repeat visits, as well as multiple siblings, which has the familiar feel of family medicine. “I always ask them what their favorite part of camp is. They start off not knowing anyone, and then you see them grow and get excited about reconnecting with their friends from camp.”
About her long relationship with CBH, Dr. Chris says it’s a matter of having found the right fit. “I can be flexible with camp’s needs, and they’re flexible around my schedule. Once you’ve found the match between what the organization needs and what you have to offer, the rewards are exponentially worth it.”