Camp Kesem is a nationwide program that
supports the children of cancer victims by sending
them to an all-expense paid camp for a week
each summer. The camp allows kids between
ages 6 and 17 to make new friends and socialize
with kids who share similar experiences.
"Your having to take on adult roles as a kid,"
she explained. "Sometimes you have to grow
up a lot sooner than you had planned to. It was
kind of like being worried all of the time."
The organization has chapters at dozens of
colleges and universities across the country
and the camps the kids attend are paid for by
students who raise funds and awareness of the
organization throughout the year.
"We reach out to local hospitals, schools
and counselors," she said. "We go to a lot of
events and that's how we get the word out."
Therapeutic
The camp, Daniele said, offers kids hope.
"These kids can really benefit from it because it
gives them the chance to be around kids that are
going through the same thing," she said. "It can be
really difficult. They really don't know what to do
sometimes. It gives them the chance to know there is
a light at the end of the tunnel; that there are people
who support them and that they will always have a
Kesem family looking out for them."
The UofA chapter of Camp Kesem works with Camp
Bear Tracks in Drasco, AR.
"We do all of the typical summer camp activities like
swimming and zip lining and sports, and arts and crafts,"
Daniele said. "A major thing we do at Camp Kesem is
have a thing called an Empowerment Ceremony. It's one
night at camp where the kids get
the chance to tell their story to
everyone. It's a beautiful thing
because everyone gets to hear
the other campers' stories. It is
awesome seeing these children
get to know each other and
just lean on each other. That is
something important that we
do."
Daniele said she wished she
had a support system like Camp
Kesem when she was facing her
mom's illness and battle.
"That's a big thing about
Camp Kesem," she said. "A
lot of the counselors are
children who have had parents that have battled cancer. It's kind of
therapeutic for all of us. We get to help these children. It gives me
the chance to be the person I needed when I was a kid. That's just
really rewarding."
Go to campkesem.org/Arkansas
to learn more about the organization,
apply for camp or make a donation.
Off icialKidsMag.com • MARCH & APRIL 2018 • 13
