Giving sick children a chance to “simply be kids”. This is the mission that Dynamo Camp, a non-profit charitable organization founded in 2006 by Enzo Manes, carries out thanks to its Recreational Therapy program, volunteers’ hard work, staff’s professional skills and the support of organizations like Enel Cuore.
On October 3, the annual Open Day was held at the organization’s headquarters – a structure immersed in a WWF-affiliated natural oasis amid the mountains of the Pistoia Apennines, in the municipality of Limestre. While celebrating the first 15 years of Dynamo Camp, the Enel Cuore Staff House was inaugurated: new accommodation for personnel and volunteers, resulting from the renovation of a small former villa right next to the central area of the camp, near the facilities that host children and families. The building has been entirely renovated: spaces and systems have been redesigned and more functional furniture has been added, paying special attention to environmental impact thanks to improved energy performance.
The new structure will allow the center to welcome more volunteers and therefore to increase the number of activity sessions offered at the Camp, going from this year’s 26 to 30 in 2022. “It’s very exciting for us to have supported this project and to see it come to life today,” commented Filippo Rodriguez, Managing Director of Enel Cuore. “Celebrating the inauguration of the structure together makes us feel part of a great project, and close to the many children who benefit from this recreational therapy every day.”
In addition to this project, Enel Cuore also supports Dynamo Camp in the development of specific training programs dedicated to former campers who have turned 18, with the goal of providing them with skills and abilities that can help them as they face adulthood and begin to work, recognizing the value of their talents and reinforcing their self-esteem. In particular, Enel Cuore supports the Leaders in Training and Alumni programs:
- Leaders in Training: an initiative designed to provide participants with their first professional orientation, which can allow them to go more in depth in the Dynamo program, pinpoint their inclinations and possibly become volunteers or staff members;
- Alumni - Performing Arts Class: thanks to Dynamo’s experience in the field of artistic and recreational activities, and the collaboration with artists and directors, this program aims to train young people who are interested in acting, dancing, singing or trying their hand at choreography or directing;
- Alumni - Studios Class: the focus of this program is the production of videos and photographs, again with the support of professional directors, operators and writers. The multimedia content produced will showcase Dynamo Camp’s activities and may be used for promotional campaigns or fundraising.
Enel Cuore’s support helps strengthen the mission pursued by Dynamo Camp, which every year welcomes, free of charge, over 2,000 children and young people between 6 and 17 years of age who suffer from severe or chronic conditions, offering them and their families a period of vacation and fun.
Today, the non-profit has 57 employees, 95 members of seasonal staff, 30 doctors and 45 nurses. In addition, over 9,000 volunteers have donated their time, commitment and passion to make the project possible in the past 15 years. We at Enel Cuore have contributed as well, helping Dynamo Camp renovate and expand the spaces dedicated to teaching and training activities at the Learning Center so they could be used year round, and renovating one of the Camp’s Cabins for children’s accommodation.