About Camp Kesem
History
Camp Kesem (Hebrew word for magic) was originally founded by a group of students and staff at Stanford University. These student leaders assessed the needs of children in Northern California and found that children who have a parent with cancer have unique needs and are under-served. Camp Kesem was founded to help fill those needs. Summer 2001 marked the first year of a Camp Kesem and was very successful. The camp has been expanding over the past 4 years, and now has branches across the United States including a national branch, Camp Kesem National (CKN).
Camp Kesem Michigan was started at Michigan State University in 2006 and held its first camp in 2007. Since then membership of both campers and volunteers has increased drastically as Camp Kesem continues to become a more familiar name in our communities. August of 2008 marked the second year of camp and the first year in partnership with the University of Michigan, when Camp Kesem MSU became Camp Kesem Michigan in an effort to maximize the impact of the group in the entire state. Membership, visibility, and funds raised continue to grow daily as Camp Kesem Michigan strives to serve more children every year.
In 2011, Michigan State University and The University of Michigan coordinated separate camps located on the East and West side of the state. Both schools are now staffing and running their own camps, and this provides the opportunity for even more kids to benefit from the opportunity to be a Camp Kesem Camper!
The Need
Camp Kesem is a student-run summer camp for children who have, or have had a parent with cancer. It provides an opportunity for campers to build self-esteem and gain support from peers facing similar challenges. Children who have or had a parent with cancer are neither physically ill nor visibly distinct from other children. As a result, their situation at home is often unknown to peers and teachers and their emotional needs often go unnoticed. In addition, it is challenging for these children to find peers with whom they can relate, and they are often left feeling completely alone when coping with the fear, anger, guilt, and sadness associated with having a parent who has cancer or has died from cancer. Camp Kesem gives these children a place to be where they no longer feel alone---every child at Camp Kesem can understand what their fellow campers are going through. Many children at Camp Kesem programs develop friendships with peers to whom they can truly relate for the first time in their lives. At Camp Kesem, children are empowered with the tools to express their emotions through camp activities, such as arts and crafts, drama, and cabin chat. These tools, and the friendships gained provide support for these children well beyond the week of camp.
"Kids with parents who are cancer patients have their lives turned upside down. The family structure and routine are disrupted by the demands of the illness and treatment. Camp Kesem will provide these children with a safe place to be kids again and have fun, a network of other kids in the same boat with whom to share thoughts and feelings, and a community of adults to provide needed attention and to boost their self esteem. Attending camp will lessen their feelings of isolation and vulnerability, and allow them to process their anger, guilt and fear. The very special friendships begun at camp will last well beyond the week, providing needed peer support and encouragement."
-- Dr. Michael Amylon, Pediatric Oncologist, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital & member of Camp Kesem National Advisory Committee