Dear Friends,
If you haven’t heard me speak to you about Camp Kesem by now, it’s been a while since we’ve talked, for which I am sorry. But even for those of you who are tired of my rambling about Camp and how awesome it is, I’m going to attempt to explain what the organization really means to me in the best and most efficient way possible. To that end, I ask that you please read this letter.
In official terms, the goal of Camp Kesem is to provide children whose parents have or have had cancer a week of summertime fun, and a chance to just be kids. While many wonderful programs exist for children with illnesses, kids whose parents are ill are traditionally overlooked – they’re an extremely underserved population, a problem that CK seeks to remedy. These kids often miss out on receiving lots of love and attention from their parents, and face growing up too quickly. Camp Kesem was founded in 2001, but has since grown to twenty-six campuses and has served over 2500 campers. It is a national, non-profit group, run entirely by college students, and is open to any and all families that would benefit from the support of the camp community. “Kesem” means “magic,” and watching the campers transform from a group of shy, timid kids to a group of active, supportive friends never ceases to amaze me. The parents and guardians of these children also gain strength and a well-deserved break, and can spend some time without worrying about their kids.
I remember attending various day and sleepover camps when I was younger, but I never really considered becoming a counselor until I was introduced to Camp Kesem. I signed up to be a counselor the summer of my freshman year – and I didn’t recognize how powerful and memorable my experience had been until after I’d returned to campus. I couldn’t wait for the next summer, and got further involved as a Camper Care Coordinator. My friend and fellow coordinator and I work throughout the year to publicize camp and gather potential families for the program.
Camp Kesem is provided free of charge to all campers. Planning each year’s session takes a full twelve months between camps, and one of our biggest obstacles is raising the funds for camp. Here’s where you can help. CK MIT has a goal this year of bringing sixty campers and forty counselors to camp, which means we need to raise $44,000. This is completely feasible, but we can’t make camp happen without you. If you would like to make a secure contribution, please click on the following link, which will take you to my Kintera donation page: https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=278214&lis=0&kntae278214=98830CDC13994E39BB1957819B9A1FA5.
Camp Kesem has truly been one of the most positive and uplifting experiences of my twenty years. The campers and the staff continue to astonish me with their love, compassion, and generosity, and I’m grateful for the memories of camp that sustain me throughout the year. You can find more information about CK itself at www.campkesem.org or www.campkesem.org/mit. At the bottom of this letter, I’m also attaching a note from one of our camper’s grandmothers for you to peruse at your leisure. And for those of you who may want to get involved with CK MIT 2009, we are currently looking for counselors – applications are due February 18, 2009 and can be found at http://www.campkesem.org/site/c.jvI0ImN0JuE/b.2536417/k.C646/Welcome_to_Camp_Kesem_at_MIT.htm.
Thank you so much for your time and patience, and best wishes for this new year. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or comments about camp (or anything else, for that matter!) Stay warm and safe!
Love,
Semmie
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Dear Camp Kesem,
My grandson D (Garitina) attended your camp every morning since he has been home one of the first things he talks about is how much he loved camp. It was my husband who passed away three months after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He was 47 years young. He was the father figure in D’s life. D’s mother and D lived with W and I for seven out of his eight years. It was very difficult for D; it is hard enough for adults to understand death, but for children – how do you explain why when you don’t always understand yourself? You say it is God’s choice, he’s in a better place, as time goes by you accept what is.
Camp Kesem helped turn a very negative experience, not into something positive but into something very helpful. He now understands that he is not alone. There are many other kids going through the same thing. I think long lasting friendships have been made for him. I also feel it helps the parents too because to see their kids getting better helps them.
It is a wonderful thing you people do. I wish more people knew about you. I am trying to do my part with that. The young people who took charge of our children are the best. The love and enthusiasm they showed to the kids and their families was incredible. It brought tears to my eyes several times. I saw kids on Sunday that were timid, nervous, tearful and sad. But when they got off the bus on Friday they were different. They shyness and sadness seemed to be gone. It was unreal to me. I can’t put into words what that meant to me. Not just for the child **I** love but for all 30 others. One week of joy out of all the sadness they have all been through makes their tragedy a little more bearable.
The counselors…I can’t say enough about. The young men and women that took the time, love, and energy to our young people have made a lasting impression on all these children. We will never forget the love and joy on D*’s face when he returned home to us. They are to be commended for a job well done. I hope they realize that kind, wonderful young adults they are. God Bless them all. We do not hear enough about the young people who give up their own personal time to help other people. Their loved ones should be very proud of each and every one of them.
Your program was a gift. No words can ever say thank you enough. Also, the nurse was a blessing. We knew our child was in good hands.
With much love and gratitude from the bottom of my heart,
*****(names removed for confidentiality)
