Camp Otter: Avery Callagy’s Place of Peace
When 7-year-old Avery Callagy was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, her mothers Erin and Krystyna Callagy never realized how important and deep their support system was.
“Our village runs a lot deeper that we could have ever imagined,” said Erin.
The sudden cancer diagnosis in February 2024 for the happy, energetic, creative and athletic 6-year-old meant that she faced many doctor’s appointments and treatments at Boston Children’s Hospital. Avery was used to competing on the soccer field, basketball court, and in gymnastics. Her family together now braced for a fight against leukemia.
The strength and positive attitude of Avery, who is big sister to brother Greyson (age 5), has been a hallmark in her journey battling leukemia.
“Avery’s on a very consistent treatment schedule,” said Erin. “She has good days and bad days depending on her treatment. Resilient is the best word to describe her. She’s fierce.”
Camp Otter is Avery’s happy place. She attended camp in 2023, 2024, and will be at camp this summer.
Avery was signed up for her second year of Camp Otter when she was diagnosed. She returned to school in April 2024, but her family was worried about whether an outdoor summer camp would be good for her.
“It was scary for us,” said Krystyna. “Avery really wanted to go to Camp Otter and we felt she would benefit from having this experience again. We weren’t sure Avery could keep up. Would she be frustrated? How would staff and campers respond? She was very active the summer before. She looked different (with her hair loss).”
The family reached out to Camp Otter Director Steph Doherty. Steph pulled the camp team together – nurses, counselors and other staff to make a plan for Avery, so that she could attend camp in a fun, safe way.
“We had a meeting with staff and went into detail about Avery’s story,” said Krystyna. “The camp staff team was wonderful working with us. They calmed our fears and our questions were gone.”
Avery loved her summer at Camp Otter. She attended as often as her health allowed and most days she stayed the full camp day!
“She was in a safe and happy place …. just what she needed. We had no idea what the next couple of months would look like. We were put at ease,” said Avery’s parents.
Campers’ social emotional health has been an important part of Camp Otter. As camp director, Steph Doherty creates activities and strategies that encourage all campers to develop skills like self-awareness, empathy, communication, conflict resolution cooperation and resilience.
A quiet spot at camp called “The Nest” is a place where campers can retreat under the guidance of the camp nursing staff and counselors.
Avery and her best friend Grace would sometimes eat lunch or do quiet art activities at The Nest when the pace of camp was a bit much.
“Regulating Avery’s temperature at times is very difficult. After checking in with the nurse, having a place to go to take a nap or rest was helpful. And having her friend with her was a wonderful break. The staff was very supportive,” said Krystyna.
Avery looks at Camp Otter as her place of peace.
“We send her to camp because she loves it. We don’t need to send her there. Camp is a special part of her life,” they both emphasized. “Camp Otter is so good for her. She’s outside. She chooses to want to stay active. She’s self-aware. She will say: I’m tired, but I want to try.”
Looking forward to this summer, Avery and her brother Greyson – now old enough to join his big sister – were among the first families to register when camp sign ups opened in January.
“She’s already talking about the Camp Otter talent show this summer and she and Grace are practicing their skit,” said Erin.
Avery is looking forward to her favorite camp activities: Carpet Ball (she was awarded the Carpet Ball champ in 2023), gaga pit, high ropes Challenge course, swimming and boating.
The Camp Otter community is eager to welcome Avery and brother Greyson to summer 2025 and to see what camp awards await her this summer!
About Camp Otter
Camp Otter is a day camp for boys and girls ages 6-13 located on the sandy shores of Captain’s Pond in Salem, NH. Camp Otter offers weekly themes, a swimming area for both instructional and free swim time, boating, basketball/volleyball courts, a baseball/soccer field, an archery and air rifle range, arts and crafts, ropes courses and more. Daily transportation is provided throughout the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. Close to major highways, Camp Otter offers a rare setting for appreciation of the outdoors.
