YMCA of the Pines
1303 Stokes Rd
Medford, NJ 08055
Fall Friends + Family Day
11/3/2019
Please contact us for more details!
Spring Friends + Family Day
Please contact us for more details!
Annie 'Sushi' Martucci: My favorite Kesem memory is teaching yoga to the kiddos after a well-executed empowerment in which many of us openly and emotionally shared our personal experiences with cancer and how Kesem has helped us.
Olivia 'Skippy' Farino: My favorite memory is seeing campers change so much during camp. Last year, the first night at Cabin Chat was filled with everyone trying to get to know each other. By the last night, campers were showing so much compassion and love for each other.
Stephen 'Drip' Payne: I am looking forward to hanging out with the kids and having fun.
Victoria 'Lotus' Schwoerer: I am looking forward to meeting and changing the lives of many families and offering support during their time of need.
Mary Anne 'Ferret' McCarthy: To name a few, I cannot wait to make a lifetime worth of memories with every, spend a week outdoors, participate in so many activities, and see all of our hard work amount to something so big. I am most excited to hear the stories and see the smiles.
Ariyanna 'Squirtle' Santiago: I am looking forward to being a part of something bigger than myself and making a difference. I hope to be apart of a second family and tell others about our cause and goals.
Bri 'Java' Baldwin: Unfortunately last year i was unable to attend camp at the last minute due to a family emergency. Therefore this year I'm very excited to go to camp!
Victoria 'Maple' Lord: My favorite Kesem memory is seeing the campers have an amazing time at camp especially at the lake. I am looking forward to seeing all the campers again and being able to make their time at camp the best time.
Emilee 'Sunny' Dinella: My first year at camp was filled with too many amazing memories so I can't just pick one, but I am looking forward to grow more bonds with the campers and counselors, have fun with everyone involved, and make more amazing memories.
Emilee 'Sunny ' Dinella: My favorite Kesem memory is just overall meeting all the amazing people involved in the Rowan Chapter. From the campers to the counselor, everyone made my experience the best it could be.
Mark 'Buffalo' Pannullo: My favorite Kesem memory was helping Spongebob build a Popsicle house that he had all the campers and councilors sign.
London 'Watermelon' Raikes: This is my first year with Kesem and I am so excited to bond with the campers and counselors.
Nathan 'Astro' Volpe: I am looking forward to seeing the campers again and making more memories. Such as the Rocket and trampoline on the lake. I loved all the songs and getting all the kids involved with whatever we were doing.
Nolan 'Bon Bon' Smith: My favorite memory is cabin chats at the ending of the night with my cabin boys and watching each of them connect.
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.
Eliza joined the Camp Kesem National team as a Regional Program Director in November 2018. She first joined Camp Kesem while attending Michigan State University, where she served as an Alumni, Marketing, and PR Coordinator for one year and an Outreach Coordinator for two years. As an alum, she's also served as a Camp Advisor for five Kesem chapters. Eliza has previously worked and volunteered in disability respite care, refugee services, and parent education. She graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from Michigan State in May 2017 and plans to obtain her Master of Social Work with a focus in Mental Health from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Eliza is originally from Terre Haute, Indiana, and plans to relocate to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.
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.
