Camp Kesem is a free, week-long overnight summer
camp for children whose parents have or have had cancer. The camp, held at Blue
Ridge Camp in Mountain City, GA from June 7th to June 13th, 2014 has 35 open
spots remaining for campers this year.
Camp Kesem
is organized by University of Georgia student volunteers under the guidance of
its Advisory Committee and Camp Kesem National, its parent organization.
University of Georgia students serve as counselors and work year-long to
fundraise and plan for the week, as well as undergo over forty hours of
extensive training prior to camp. The Camp Kesem program model was founded in
2000 at Stanford University. Since then it has grown into a national
organization, with over 50 camps planned for the summer of 2014.
Campers
participate in a host of fun activities including sports, drama, arts &
crafts, team-building, scavenger hunts and talent shows. In addition, each
night before bed, the campers have “Cabin Chat,” a time for the campers to talk
and open up to their peers and counselors.
Children
who have a parent who has or had cancer often lack sufficient external support
because they are neither physically ill nor visibly distinct from others. The
complexity of emotions they experience can easily go without attention. It is
often challenging for these children to find peers with whom they can relate,
resulting in feelings of isolation and fear.
“It gives
both my child and myself a week to spread our wings separate from each other.
He’s exactly where he wants to be, surrounded by kids in similar situations and
the warmth and support of the counselors,” says a parent of camper, age 12.
Camper
applications and more information on Camp Kesem at UGA can be found at http://campkesem.org/uga.
