Camp Whittier
2400 HWY 154
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Fall Friends + Family Day
December 2, 2018
Please contact us for more details!
Spring Friends + Family Day
April 7, 2019
Please contact us for more details!
April 13, 2019 at 5:00 PM
The Groves on 414455
CA-41 Templeton, CA 93465
Molly “Stripes” Eichten: Hey! My name is Stripes, and I am currently a fourth year graphic design major at Cal Poly. I am excited to be one of the Co-Directors for our chapter this year! I can’t wait to create some Kesem magic with our amazing team and to put on an amazing camp for the kids during the summer.
Rhia “Tumbles” Alger: Hi! I’m Tumbles and I am currently a fourth year Biological Sciences major from Sacramento, CA. I am also one of the Co-Directors for this year and can’t wait to see what our chapter is going to accomplish. I’m so excited for another great year of camp! Seeing all our kids’ smiling faces makes Kesem-ing all the more magical.
Marina “Noodle” Brassington: Hi! My name is Noodle and I am a fourth year agricultural business major from Encinitas, Ca.This is my third year involved in Kesem and I cant wait to see what magic we create this time around!
Mary “Peaches” Jacobs: Howdy! My name is Peaches and I am serving as one of this years Development coordinator . I’m a fourth year Philosophy major with hope of becoming a marriage and family therapist. After losing both my parents to cancer, I knew joining the Camp Kesem family would be a great way to help and support others experiencing the same thing I have.
Kyle “Leo” Bresnahan: Hi guys my names Leo! Im a second year Architectural Engineering major and I am so excited to be the development coordinator with peaches. I had so much fun at camp this year and Im already counting the days til next year!
Kelly “Bell” Coson: Hi everyone, I’m Bell! I’m a fourth year Business major with a concentration in marketing, and I’m originally from San Diego, CA. This is my first year being on the board, and my third year being involved with Camp Kesem! I’m so excited to get to help plan the chapter’s second ever Make the Magic!
Carolyn “Cookie” Jagoda: Hi everyone, I’m Cookie! I am studying Special Events & Marketing and will be graduating in June! This is my 3rd year as a coordinator for Kesem and I am so thankful for the people it has brought into my life. This organization has been absolutely life changing and I can’t wait to meet all of our campers this upcoming summer!
Vikram “Turtle” Bellamkonda: Hi everyone! I’m Turtle, one of the Operations board members and past camp counselors. I am currently a second year Biological Sciences major working to become a Pediatrician. Cancer has been a part of my family for many years, and has shaped the person that I am today. I love the supportive community Kesem provides, and I can’t wait to help other kids be a part of its happiness and support.
Sophia “Binks” Micheletti: I’m Binks and I’m a fourth year English major and Spanish minor. I recently studied abroad in Alicante, Spain. I have been involved with Kesem for the past three years and I can’t wait to see what incredible things our chapter is able to put together this year!
Rachel “Wildflower” Busike: Hi! My name is Wildflower and I am a fourth year child development major with a psychology minor. I am passionate about working with children, and have worked with both children and special needs children for many years. This past year was my first year with Kesem and it was such an incredible experience being a part of the Kesem family and getting to know all of our campers. I am blown away by each and every one of them, and am excited for the year to come.
Emily “Pixie” Reyes: Hi! I’m pixie! I’m a second year nutrition major and I’m so excited to be the Outreach Coordinator this year alongside Wildflower. Going to Camp this past summer was such an amazing experience and I am so excited for this upcoming year. Kesem is so special to me and I can not wait to work along side our Coordinator Board and offer support to kids in the SLO community and beyond.
Anthony “Yoda” Catello: Sup, I’m Yoda, the treasurer for Camp Kesem at Cal Poly SLO. I am a 3rd year Mechanical Engineering major from Los Angeles. I first got involved with Kesem as a camper in high school. It made a huge difference in my life and I wanted to give that back. After two years of being a counselor I signed up for the board and here I am. I can’t wait to learn about all the unseen work that goes into putting on an awesome camp.
Kevin “Seahorse” Allenstein: Hi, I’m Seahorse and I am a fourth-year Agricultural Business major here at Cal Poly! I am from a small town in southern California called Fallbrook. One of my favorite things to do is travel! A big goal of mine is to visit every single state in the United States. So far I have been to 22 (almost halfway there!). Working with kids is a huge passion of mine and I have had such an incredible experience these past two summers at Camp Kesem. I’m so excited for round three next summer!
Julia “Hugz” Kaufman: Hi y’all!! I am a Child Development major and this is my third year with Camp Kesem. I had the best week ever at camp last year and can’t wait for more!!!! I love Camp Kesem because of our mission of loving kids and hating cancer!
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.
Keandra joined the Camp Kesem National team as a Regional Program Director in 2017. Prior to this, Keandra was a member of the founding team at California State University, Fresno where she started as a Volunteer Coordinator, and then went on to serve as a Chapter Co-Director for two years. During this time, Keandra also served as a Risk Management Intern and as a member of the National Student Panel. Keandra graduated from Fresno State in 2017 with a Bachelors of Arts in Family and Consumer Science. She is from Bakersfield, California and currently resides in Davis, California.
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.
