Well, she said this medical camp she went to was even better....

 ... than the Serenbe camp.

She was SO INTO THIS healthcare discovery camp. Seriously into it.  It's crazy how much she enjoyed it and chattered about it each day after picking her up! 

Here's what the organization (Blue Ridge Area Health Education Center) shared:

Day #1 of Healthcare Discovery Camp was AWESOME!!! We started the day learning about working in a Pharmacy from Atrium Health Floyd pharmacists, James Hopper and Bridget Ivey. Campers got hands on practice filling a simulated prescription with M&Ms. Bonus: They got to eat the candy!

Next, Mandy Hunter taught campers the basics of Hands-Only CPR and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). An AED is a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device that can analyze the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. Anyone can use an AED in an emergency situation, because it uses voice prompts, lights and text to tell the rescuer the steps to take!

Our next session was all about Nursing! Georgia Highlands College has a great nursing program, and our campers learned about personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to take vital signs first-hand, from GHC Nursing professors, Dr. Shea Walker and Dr. Paula Stover.

In the afternoon, campers showed their creative side! Judith Schmidt from Atrium Health Floyd Behavioral Health Service explained about the importance of arts in medicine and how Art Therapy can benefit patients. Students got hands-on art experience by painting wish boxes to hold their wishes, concerns and dreams!

Then, we enjoyed a session about careers in Dental Hygiene, taught by current students earning their degrees in Dental Hygiene from GHC. Campers rotated through four stations, including an overview of the dental hygiene profession, basic dental care and the decay process, dental hygiene instruments used during a check-up, and “Rethink Your Drink”, a lesson about the effects of high-sugar drinks on your teeth.

Finally, campers learned about the wide variety of careers in Nutrition & Dietetics, including sports nutrition, school nutrition, clinical nutrition, public health nutrition, pediatric nutrition, and the list goes on! Shyleta Brown from Northwest Georgia Public Health showed campers how to read “Nutrition Facts” labels and the importance of making good food choices. All while enjoying healthy snacks in the process!

Day #2 of Healthcare Discovery Camp was AMAZING!!! Our day started with a visit from Atrium Health Floyd Emergency Medical Services (EMS), which provides emergency ambulance and non-emergency transport services to local residents. Students took a guided tour of an ambulance, led by Ben Harbin and Mionica Loyal, while Greg Goedert showed students the modern technology built into a neonatal intensive care transport vehicle, specially designed for the transfer of critically ill infants. 🚑🚨

Next, the campers were introduced to Stop the Bleed, a program about the simple steps that can be taken to stop or slow life-threatening bleeding in emergency situations. With little or no medical training, even middle schoolers can become heroic lifesavers! 🩸

After lunch, campers learned about careers that play a role in diagnosing and treating cardiac problems. Stephanie Durall, Keely Harris and Breanna Merrell from Atrium Health Floyd brought real cadaver organs and allowed the students to touch a normal “healthy” heart, as well as hearts suffering from cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), heart attack etc. Campers also learned about strokes and healthcare roles that care for the brain. They examined cadaver brains, plus a stomach, kidney and liver! We did not take photos of this session, out of respect to the organ donors and their families.

Next, Jason Shedd and April Barrow from Atrium Health Floyd Respiratory Therapy demonstrated mechanical ventilation and intubation, then gave the campers an opportunity to try hands-on applications of life support. They also taught the students about diseases affecting the lungs and how popular trends like smoking, vaping, etc. can impact lung health.

Last, but not least, we explored all things bacteria, including which bacteria are commonly found on us and near us every day! Campers observed how cultures are taken in a lab classroom setting and practiced taking cultures on their own. They examined cultures of developed bacteria, then used a microscope to view slides of 6 key types of bacteria. It was icky, but fun and entertaining! 🦠🔬

They did not post a Day #3 update- but they had a medical HELICOPTER come.  They got to get inside.  Isabella said that they also did a "medical " using clues of things they learned.   If they do a write-up and post pictures, I'll add an update at the bottom.

Overall, it was a great experience for her: 

- Either she got to explore personally OR they used on the kids:  stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, tourniquet, intubation device, some sort of device that connects to nerves (and they moved her fingers without her moving them! -- she's already asked for one so she can try it on us and freak us out!  

- She talked about the organs - over and over again.  (I think she was trying to make me sick, honestly.)  Looking inside a heart.  Touching a liver and a spleen and a brain and a stomach!  

- They climbed inside of an ambulance and heard a real call while the ambulance driver was there at the college... apparently off-duty, but she thought it was cool to hear what the call sounded like.  They also got to go inside a medical helicopter.

- she brought home tooth tablets that you chew after you brush.  She made me do it there in the hotel.  She made Todd do it when we got back home.

- she took notes.  LOTS of notes!  She read her notes to me 2x.  And - they gave the students a paperback book (like a thick catalogue) about medical careers.  She also read salaries, basic job descriptions and how much schooling is required for dozens of different medical careers on the way home from camp.

- we went to a store and bought (used) medical books once we came home.  Not "kid" books, but real medical books (the ones with pictures & diagrams)  The woman who owns the store said that Isabella should learn Latin.  TRUE.  I never thought about that!

It's been interesting to see how engaged and excited she was by all of it!  We'll see if it sticks and/ or if she keeps honing her career wishes in the years to come.

_____________

I took the opportunity while Isabella was at camp to explore a bit.  I had been to the Berry college campus one time before for a wedding, but I've never explored the rest of the campus (27,000 acres!)  it's the largest college campus in the world (by land ownership). 

The first section I explored was the historic Ford Complex area... ahhhh... the BEAUTIFUL GOTHIC architecture was stunning! I copied the info on the "Visit Rome" website.  

Here's a photo dump!

History of Ford Complex
After visiting the Berry schools in 1921, Mr. and Mrs. Ford became very interested in the school Martha Berry had begun. In 1925, Clara hall was built and named after Mrs. Clara Ford. 

To accompany this new structure, in 1928 the Mary halls, a recitation hall, auditorium, weaving room, library, and recreation hall were added: this group of buildings completed the Ford Complex. These buildings were constructed over the course of three years by the Thomas Starrett Company of New York in a million dollar contract. 

Ford chose his own architects and stonemasons to ensure that this venture would be a beautiful success. However, he did not want to be accredited for these buildings at Berry because he believed that then he would be expected to maintain them throughout his life. These buildings were referred to as the “Martha Berry School for Girls” until Ford’s death in 1947. After his death, the buildings began being called the Ford Complex and is sometimes referred to as the Ford Castle.

Next, I explored the original wood school building built in 1911 -  the Barnwell Chapel.  It also has a gothic inspiration.  One thing that was hard to capture:  the glass was so wavy - LARGE waves (not just little tiny waves). 

The building was simple - especially compared to the Ford complex that superseded it, but had some nice detailing and was a great building on its own.  One thing I read that was cool:  the boys shop class built the pews and altar.  (I saw signs for the boy's school.

(pulled this photo off of the website b/c all of the doors were locked - except for a dated prayer room on the side)

Next, I went to the Frost Chapel - which was also closed, but I snapped some photos of the exterior plus some interior photos through the window.  

I believe that Todd was not with me at the wedding that we were invited to - as he did not remember going... I think I went solo with the kids when his father had passed away. 

He will need to go visit sometime, as he would absolutely love it.

Love this detail on the cross beam holding up the wood ceiling in the exterior walkway.

Found this interesting story online about the Frost Chapel:

Standing atop one of the hills on Berry’s Mountain Campus is the beautiful Frost Memorial Chapel. Built by Berry students and staff in 1936-37, Frost has become one of the places that visitors to the campus remember and return to visit.

It was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Frost of Los Angeles, California. While visiting the campus they saw a sign which had been placed upon the site where the chapel now stands. “Chapel needed…,” the sign read, and after attending a crowded worship service in the recitation hall auditorium, they agreed. The money for construction was donated to the school and the chapel was named for their son, John Lawrence Frost, who had died in his youth.

The result was a lovely stone chapel featuring wooden beamed ceilings, a flagstone floor, leaded glass windows, a slate roof and three beautiful stained glass windows.

I continued to explore the back of the campus (with the map they gave me at the visitor's gate).  I drove through the Winship Camp section and tried to go to the back of the campus to an old mill which I heard was nice.  However, it was rainy... it was a gravel road... and the gate was closed.  So, I was not able to see that.  

But - I passed a sign for a labyrinth!  So - I had to go!  This one was also based on Chartres.  It started to drizzle, but I still did it as I was under (mostly) a canopy of trees.  It was pretty and serene - except for the thunder that was moving closer!   I made it to the center, then walked back to my car before the sky fell.

For awhile, it POURED rain.  I sat in a parking lot on campus and ate my lunch (I was not able to check into the hotel 'til later that afternoon).... and I was graced by a deer walking by my car in the rain.  Continuing to the other side of the parking lot. Then, standing at the edge of the woods - she waited awhile and a baby came out of the woods !  I watched them 'til they entered the woods at the back of the parking lot... walking in the rain.

One final area explored by car - as it was still raining - was the original entrance that was closed off and used now as a place of reflection - a tree-lined allee called the "Gate of Opportunity" Drive.

Overall, it was a nice campus!  Small student population.  The price didn't seem outrageous compared to the pricing that college costs now.  (they do have a med program.... hmmm)  

The next day, I explored the sites in Rome.  They had a nice downtown area... great buildings with some nice historic details remaining.  Also, I went to the (largest) Victorian District.  But - I didn't take photos of buildings in either area.  (Isabella even noticed different details in the downtown buildings, as we were there once each evening. She said I was losing my touch since I didn't take photos. ha!)  I think that - since living in Savannah so long - it's hard to get excited about too much historic architecture... so maybe not losing my touch, but just not as bowled over by nice buildings after awhile?  

But - I did snap a few photos of some of the other tourist sites.  

1 - the cemetery on the hill - which was nerve-wracking getting up there and getting back down on the narrow, cliff-hugging roads!  I heard that Rome was named after the Italian city because of all of the hills (7 of them)  The cemetery was on top of one of them.... which seems unusual!

2 - the visitor's center is next to a military fort - which is also up on a hill.  Also, on the same property, Rome has THEIR own labyrinth too! (I have not seen a labyrinth in years and years and years.  This one was #3 in less than 2 weeks?!)  Theirs is an amphitheater (for seating) as well as a labyrinth. 

3 - This is not listed as a typical tourist site / is not on the maps, but... a famous house because of the TV show series "Stranger Things" - this is the house where the monster / creature lives!   (now a private residence)  oops - I was one of those annoying people who jumped out of my car to snap a photo!

At the visitor's center, there was also a lot of literature about this tiny town south of Rome... 

It wasn't far from Isabella's camp, so we popped over to Cave Spring - a small historic town fed with (of course) a natural spring.  

She and I visited the cave + the spring just before they closed.  

It was a small $2.00 admission fee AND you could bring your own jugs to fill up.   See all of those GIANT water jugs behind Isabella in the photo below?!  The person filling these had a pitcher and a funnel.  They were serious!

(I filled up 2 personal-sized water bottles only, as that's all I had.  It was good water!)  

We also sprung $1.00 for goose / fish feed.   

The fish and the geese were NOT in the same area where you fill up your bottles thankfully.

We stayed in a hotel near the camp - it was "eh" - but Isabella wanted to stay there because of the pool.  She swam each day + she really helped to clean out the bugs in the pool with the net.  She also practiced her swim strokes and had me time her.  This was "her" trip... and she certainly enjoyed ALL of it!   (even when we were walking around downtown Rome - holding hands again :) - and at the restaurant, talking with strangers next to us / waving at a couple of elderly ladies who lit up when she gave them some attention, etc.)  

She was just really happy during that week!

I did get to enjoy myself a bit too.  After dropping her off at camp the last day, I had to check out of the "eh" hotel... and was in my car most of the day again.  Instead of tooling around Rome more, I headed north of the city to an artist's homestead / garden that I've known about for quite some time & have always talked about checking it out.

Howard Finster is a well-known folk artist from Summerville, Georgia.  He has art in the high museum in Atlanta, but also most people have probably seen his famous Coke bottle sculptures at the Braves' stadium.  He was on the Johhny Carson show.  (There was a 30 minute documentary on him next to the gift shop.  He seemed to be quite the character!!

I was fairly familiar with some of his work, but I learned a lot about him on this visit -- like he didn't start doing artwork 'til he was 57!  He was a pastor and a fix-it handy man (bikes, electronics, etc.)  He started out making clocks, doll furniture, etc.

He made 46,000 + pieces of artwork!

This is basically a photo dump - not much narration to go along with it.  There is artwork by other artists too scattered in as it was displayed amongst his work.  (Artists painted something in his honor - or actually painted him.)

It was an interesting exhibit!

He seemed to paint on everything.  There is a lot of random items here.  There is a lot of stuff that looks pretty junky.  But - he had a vision.  He had a lot of Bible verses painted on various things too.

He had record covers for Talking Heads and REM too.

The round building was his church building where he would preach.  (It was VERY rickety!) 

There was a prayer chapel (with this "dedicated coffin - hoping it was empty!  It was screwed shut.  for some reason, I did see if it would open!?!) 

And - this covered bridge - I'm not exactly sure why it was built, but it houses a lot of artwork, letters from people, works dedicated to him by other artists, etc.  I thought it was going to be rickety too, but it was OK. 

I thought that these glass "rooms" underneath it were interesting.  There were various objects inside the glass walls created.  Almost like little vignettes.  

 

Here are a few photos from inside the covered bridge.  Weird thing is - it didn't connect anything in particular.  It was just a random L-shaped structure.

"Totem" out of paint cans!

The glass enclosure attached to the church was his workshop.  (wow - so much stuff inside.  It said in the video people would bring all sorts of randomness to him... and he would keep it / would use it.

There were mosaics in the ground. 

 (I believe it said in the video that he even buried his tools when he changed his life over to painting)

Things embedded into concrete sculptures.

Sort of heaped up piles (maybe welded together?) bits of metal.

And - paint / quotes / verses / images on EVERYTHING - including this car (below)!

cool little structure made out of bottles (and there were even marbles & things inside of some of the bottles)

This structure was really unique. I was thinking about NOT going up the stairs - I tried them slowly - thankfully they were sturdy because the "mirror house" really was a cool experience inside!  

This was probably my favorite thing there once inside.

Here are a handful of other structures / pieces.

Saw a giant rat snake slither behind the shoe while walking around this building.  that was a big NOPE for me going inside!

Who was Howard Finster? (read below!)

He died in 2001 at the age of 84.

I wonder if people did write him notes and if that's what was in his casket? (or maybe in the casket in the prayer chapel?)  

He said he didn't want to be buried, however I looked up info on him and it said he was buried in Chatooga County cemetery. 

Found this on a website:

Howard’s casket rests atop an old office desk in an open-air chapel with pews, a dirt floor, and a giant Coca-Cola bottle. Accompanying signs, written by Howard, explain that the casket was personally placed on this spot by Howard. When he died, Howard wanted to be cremated with his ashes placed in the casket along with a million letters written by fans. Jordan believed that the casket was in fact filled with letters, but couldn’t say for sure because he didn’t have a key to open it.

One thing that for sure isn’t in the casket is Howard. Despite his wishes, he was buried in 2001 in a Summerville churchyard, then later dug up and moved to a cemetery in his hometown of Valley Head, Alabama.

While watching the video at the beginning of my tour, I was thumbing through books.  I thought this was interesting about "dust-to-dust" and cremation instead of being buried with formaldehyde to preserve.  

(Of note - Todd wants to be cremated and ashes scattered in Barcelona Spain.  I had said I'd be buried - naturally - at an eco-conscious site near a monastery south of Atlanta.)   But the dust-to-dust thing does have me thinking a bit....

That was it.  I'm glad I went.  

Here's a famous piece from the High Museum in Atlanta:

Coca-Cola Bottle, #38,348

Howard Finster

American, 1916–2001

Details

Title

Coca-Cola Bottle, #38,348

Artist/Maker

Howard Finster (American, 1916–2001)

Date

1995

Medium

Paint on prefabricated plastic bottle

Dimensions

65 1/2 x 22 x 22 inches

Credit

T. Marshall Hahn Collection

Accession #

1996.175

On View

Currently not on view

This outsized Coca-Cola bottle belongs to a family of images depicting Finster's favorite drink. Finster divided the composition into three registers corresponding to the bottle's structural divisions, unifying the top and bottom portions by painting their backgrounds the same color. A host of Finster's familiar multihued angels accompanied by stars and spaceships in silver and bright tones circles the upper section. Paths leading around and up the bottle toward Heaven weave together the lower sections, which depict earthly realms. The cars that share the roadways with people and animals symbolize the danger of worldly thrills.

I headed back south of Rome to pick up Isabella just in time for the end of her camp.  Friday - after her 3rd day of Healthcare Discovery camp - we headed STRAIGHT to her horse lessons which was only an hour away from Rome (it's about 45 minutes from our house, so it was sort of on the way home.)  when we FINALLY got home, I was done!  

Whew.... what a week!