Camp Whittier
2400 CA-154
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Fall Friends + Family Day
2021 Date TBA
Please contact us for more details!
Fall Friends + Family Day
Fall 2021 Date TBA
Spring Friends + Family Day
2021 Date TBA
Please contact us for more details!
Spring Friends + Family Day
Spring 2021 Date TBA
4/10/2021
After registering for the event, you will receive further communication about attending via email.
4/10/2021
After registering for the event, you will receive further communication about attending via email.
In addition to the year-round support, services, and training we receive from Kesem National,
we are grateful to those who provide support to our local Camp Kesem chapter including:
Our Advisory Board who provides ongoing guidance to our chapter’s leadership team.
Our corporate and foundation donors who provide critical resources to help fund the services we deliver locally.
The many retail and service providers who offer in-kind support for our summer camp as well as many or our year-round services.
Countless individuals – including our families and friends who honor our commitment to Camp Kesem with their financial support and unwavering encouragement.
Kesem’s national staff of over 30 professionals is involved in all aspects of establishing and supporting each of our 100+ chapters nationwide as well as the training and oversight of all college student leaders. Our leadership program has been developed over the last 17 years and, while both rigorous and demanding, is focused on providing the highest level of support, service and safety for the children who participate in our programs.
The Kesem Program Director for this chapter (see below) is involved in all aspects of camp and our additional services. While your local student leaders are your primary contact for questions, you are also welcome and encouraged to contact their Program Director with other specific questions.
Kristen McGuire, Senior Program Director – kristen.mcguire@kesem.org
Kirsten joined the Kesem National team in 2018 as a Regional Program Director for the Southwest region and was promoted to a Senior Program Director in 2020. She first became involved with Camp Kesem in 2015 as a founding Kesem member and AMP coordinator at the Northern Arizona University chapter. During her time as a staff member she has been on our DEI Steering Committee and is a facilitator for our POC Affinity Groups. She graduated from NAU in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and went on to receive her Masters in Social Work with a focus in Policy, Administration, and Community Outreach from Arizona State University in 2018. She is originally from Tucson, Arizona and currently resides in Dallas, TX.
Our free year-round services provide children impacted by a parent's cancer a continuum of touchpoints throughout the year.
Kesem's flagship program operates over 100 free summer camps in 40 states for children ages 6 to 18 who have been impacted by a parent's cancer.
Kesem's care package program that immediately includes all families into our greater community in a personal, supportive manner.
Regular gatherings for existing and interested camper families, alumni, supporters and Kesem student leaders for a day of community building.
Provides Kesem families with regular updates including important deadlines and events.
Provides customized support for children through the many challenges associated with a parent or guardian's cancer journey.
Provides all children with personalized greetings–delivered by either traditional or electronic mail.
Provides online access to topical resources–including publications, books, organizations and resources.
