Summer fun at Camp Kesem: a magical place
Chrissy and I checking in with program manager "Gus Gus" at Camp Kesem IU.
Tie dying was a hit! However, it did leave a trail of colored fingers…
Canoeing in the lake was definitely a home run on Sports Day!!
Catching some Z’s before we play CAPTURE THE FLAG!!!! Best all camp activity ever!!!
These are the tweets we’ve been receiving from Camp Kesem, where our daughter Chrissy is attending this week. It may sound like a typical camp, but it’s not.
“Kesem” means magic in Hebrew, and that’s exactly what goes on at these camps. For the past nine summers, Camp Kesem – a college-student-run summer camp for kids whose parents have (or have had) cancer – has provided plenty of laughs and lots of emotional, but non-therapeutic support. And best of all, it’s free of charge.
Between 2001 and 2009, Camp Kesem grew from a single campus hosting 37 campers to a national movement serving over 1000 campers at 22 camps. Chrissy attends the camp based out of Indiana University. The counselors are all specially trained and raise money to pay for the camp expenses.
This is Chrissy’s second year, and she has truly blossomed as a result of attending. She absolutely loves the counselors and all the activities. Best of all, she is around kids who can relate to what she’s going through as a child of a survivor. Both Mike and I admitted we were jealous that she was having a week filled with fun in such a beautiful place. I can’t wait to hear all about it when we pick her up.
If you’d like to learn more about Camp Kesem, go to www.campkesem.org. Even if you don’t have school-aged kids, it’s a very worthy organization to support.
Do any of you have advice or experiences you want to share about talking with kids about cancer? Post them here and you’ll be entered to win a From Incurable to Incredible T-shirt!
AshleyO says:
I’ve been as honest and age appropriate as possible with my kids. My son was 3 when I was diagnosed and my daughter was 6 1/2 – they are now 4 and almost 8. They know I have it, they know it makes me tired and bald and cranky sometimes and they know I’m doing everything I can to kick it to the curb!
I just feel like if they know what is going on it will be less scary than wondering.
Debby says:
Fabulous camp! What a wonderful idea – inspiring for the counselors as well as the campers.
sam elliston says:
I echo Debby. What a wonderful opportunity for Chrissie but also for the students to learn about volunteering and providing service in such a meaningful activity.
I am really glad to hear about this camp.
And I’m glad to know Chrissie is there.