Farmington Retirement Home Sends Seniors To Summer Camp

Middlewoods of Farmington

FARMINGTON, CT — A local retirement facility recently took its residents to summer camp, even it has been decades since many attended this annual rite of the season.

The familiar “Camp Week” tradition, which has marked the summer season at Middlewoods of Farmington senior living community for over a decade, returned again for 2023.

For a few days last month, the facility was full of "merriment, marshmallows and memories of everything we love about summertime."

Activities and events throughout the week featured a backyard bonfire and s’mores, community luau and tiki bar, arts and crafts, bowling, poetry readings and a camper badge program which offered residents incentives for attending a variety of activities throughout the week.

The community also prepared a special send-off during the week for a recently completed quilt, designed and created by Middlewoods residents and staff, to donate to a deserving child at the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, which was founded by the late actor Paul Newman for ill and injured children.

“Every summer at the camp, campers are welcomed into their cabin with the gift of a small quilt and pillowcase to take home with them,” said Middlewoods Activities Director and quilter, Debbie Astrom. “Volunteers nicknamed, ‘Bandit Quilters,’ make these special pieces for the campers. We love being ‘bandits’ and sharing in this meaningful project at Middlewoods.”

Material for this year’s quilt was donated by Middlewoods resident, Dorothy Graves.

“The fabric hung in her quilting room for 25 years,”said Graves’s daughter, Mari Steeno. “She is so proud to have it quilted by the gang at Middlewoods and donated to a great cause.”

Festivities for the week wrapped up with a wacky, camp-themed “Minute To Win It” challenge for the Middlewoods team who entertained residents while attempting to toss dozens of marshmallows into a partner’s paper cup.

Additional programs took place over the weekend with activities assistant Ella Johnson.

“Camp week brings out the youthful spirit in our residents and staff,” said Astrom. “It’s a fun, celebratory week for everyone and will likely continue to be an anticipated summer tradition in our community.”

Middlewoods of Farmington Independent and Assisted Living Community is affiliated with UConn Health and located at 509 Middle Road in Farmington. The senior living community is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a not-for-profit, mission-based organization in Shelton. For more information about senior living at Middlewoods call 860-284-5700 or visit www.middlewoodsoffarmington.org.