CHERYL BERNKNOPF, RN, BScN

Member Linkage Committee Co-Chair

“I have been involved with camps since I was a 5 year old day camper who moved on to the overnight camp experience at age 8.  As soon as I was old enough I became camp staff working at camps every summer since, from counselor to camp director (surprisingly at a tennis camp, even though I did not know how to play the game).  I had become excited at the possibilities of working as a camp nurse as I completed my nursing program.  As soon as I graduated I took on that role and I haven’t looked back since 1979.  I completed another summer working at a residential camp, called Centauri, where I was the camp nurse for the first 2 summers (1999 +2000) and then took on the role as the Assistant Camp Director/Nursing Supervisor (from 2001-current).

“I have been a member of the Ontario Camp Association since 1999 and active during that time as a member of their Health Care Committee.  I enjoy assisting with the planning of conferences and workshops, keeping the members current with health topics related to camp. I have been a speaker at many conferences and workshops for the Ontario Camp Association and had the opportunity to speak at ACN’s Symposium.  I have been a member of ACN since 2005, where the opportunity to become a member on ACN’s Board is an exciting step for me. I remain passionate about camp nursing and hope to spread my enthusiasm to keep all campers and staff healthy and happy.

“For the majority of my nursing career my focus has been paediatric nursing where I have worked at local acute care hospitals and also as a community care nurse with paediatric palliative clients.  In 2006, after listening to a speaker at an Ontario Camp Association conference, by the name of Philip Lilienthal (president/CEO of what was then called World Camps but is now known as Global Camps Africa), I was immediately hooked.  I knew that I wanted and needed to volunteer at Camp Sizanani, a camp for children by HIV/Aids that provides countless vulnerable South African children and teens with the necessary life skills for future success and happiness.  What a wonderful opportunity it was to join in the December 2006 camp Sizanani, a boys camp participating as the nurse/lifeguard to  give something back globally, to a part of the world where things aren’t taken for granted (i.e. healthcare, education, etc).  It was a trip of a lifetime which I hope to repeat in the near future.

“I have also been a part time faculty member at Seneca College (since 2001) in King City, Ontario, teaching students in their BScN program, where I hope to excite my students about the wonderful opportunities afforded the nursing profession.  My students are all introduced to camp nursing when I relay my stories to them every opportunity I get.

“I look forward to participating as a member of your ACN Board 2010-2012.”

CONTACT INFORMATION

Cheryl Bernknopf, RN, Assistant Camp Director, Centauri Summer Camp

86 Loma Vista Drive
Thornhill, Ontario, L4J 7S3
Canada

rnonthego@hotmail.com
905-771-6577 (home)
416-805-8295 (cell)