Camp Whittier
2400 CA-154
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Fall Friends + Family Day
12/7/2019
Please contact us for more details!
Spring Friends + Family Day
5/2/2020
Please contact us for more details!
Saturday, April 4th 2020
The Groves on 41, 4455 California 41, Templeton, CA
Hannah 'Petal' Smith: My favorite Kesem memory is more of a feeling than a specific memory and it is the feeling that I have found my home. I was fortunate to experience this feeling as both a camper and counselor and hope to pass along that feeling to others.
Vikram 'Turtle' Bellamkonda: I think my fave Kesem memory was when I was saying goodbye to the kids on the last day of camp (weird I know).Even through their tears, all of the kids kept saying that they were excited to "see you again soon" and only spoke of a bright future! My<3
Courtney 'Chicken' Kaia: Being able to write warm and fuzzies for the kids at camp. I had so much fun recognizing the the individual things shared with me from each and every camper. I felt warm and fuzzies allowed me to show my appreciation for them sharing with me.
Hailey Anne 'Flip' Nagma: Oddly specific, but our second to last day of my first year at camp! I've never smiled or laughed so hard in my entire life. I haven't gone a day since without talking about our campers and this organization -- I couldn't imagine life without it!
Juliana 'Frost' Brozio: I am looking forward to being Development Coordinator for our chapter this year! I loved being a counselor last year, but I can't wait to be more involved with our chapter and to have a coordinator position. I also can't wait for camp this year!
Kayla "Snoopy" Hunt: My favorite Kesem memory was seeing my niece and nephew after their first year at camp. Their love and gratitude for Kesem reminded me of why I Kesem and the joy that being involved can bring.
Morgan 'Tuna Tot' Cameron: I am so excited for the opportunity to plan this years Make the Magic! Not only do I get to plan this great event for the second year in a row, but I also get the opportunity to plan it with my best friend Sunshine!!!
Kendall '' Mills: I'm looking forward to helping to make a difference in someone's life.
Georgetta 'Poppy' Magnus: Watching all the kiddos preform in the "talent show" our camp does at the end of the week of camp.
Nate 'Appa' Holland: My favorite Kesem memory was last year at camp when all the counselors were running around with all the campers chasing us with water blasters. Messy games were amazing start to finish, I cant wait to get back to camp!
Grace 'Peppy' Ballard: I'm looking forward to meeting our new families and spreading Kesem love!
Matthew 'Scrubs' Trahan: I am looking forward to seeing all the kids who were in my unit and cabin last year. I loved getting to know all of them, so I am really looking forward to catching up with them. Also, I am super excited to meet the new campers and kids in my unit.
Anthony 'Yoda' Catello: I don't know what my favorite Kesem moment is but I'm very much looking forward to giving our TLP the best week of camp that we possibly can.
Arushi 'Sushi' Tewari: I am looking forward to working with a group of children this year to provide them with all the resources they need!
Leah 'Cow' Brill: My favorite Kesem memory was from messy day at camp last summer when the campers in my unit lined us up and they all destroyed us with shaving cream and paint!
Samana 'Seashell' Shah: My favorite Kesem memory was campfire because we got to sing camp songs and make delicious smores before bed.
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.
Meag Donnelly, Regional Program Director – meag.donnelly@kesem.org
Meag joined Camp Kesem at West Virginia University in the chapter’s inaugural year in 2015 as an Outreach Coordinator. In the years to follow, she served as an Alumni, Marketing & PR Coordinator, followed by Co-Director her senior year. She also served as a Camp Advisor for the University of Kansas and University of Arkansas in the summer of 2018. She joined the Camp Kesem National team in August 2018 as a Regional Program Director. Meag graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and Editing with a minor in Business Administration from WVU. She currently resides in Bonita Springs, Florida.
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.
