Search
Dear Newspaper Writers,
Hello, my name is Stephanie Harold and I am part of Camp Kesem, a student group at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.
Founded and run by Northwestern University student volunteers, Camp Kesem is a one-week, overnight summer camp for children in the Chicagoland area, ages 6-13 who have a parent who has died from cancer, is currently in treatment for cancer, or is in remission from cancer. Camp Kesem is a secular camp and is open to children of all races, religions, national origins, and financial statuses. It is free for all families served. The 2008 session will be held from June 15-20 at the YMCA Phantom Lake camp in southern Wisconsin. Coach bus transportation will be provided from Northwestern University to and from the camp.
We hope to provide children with a safe place to simply be a kid and share fun experiences with their peers. Through recreational activities and interpersonal interactions, we predict that our campers will open up to one another and to their counselors and share their feelings regarding their parents' situations. Our counselor training includes sessions on how to lead activities with guidance from appropriate professionals. Though these opportunities will be provided at camp, it is important to understand that the purpose of Camp Kesem is NOT to provide clinical therapy for the campers. Rather, it is to provide a safe space where the children can freely express themselves and develop relationships with peers facing similar challenges.
We are currently in the process of recruiting campers. If there is anyway this you can help us publicize this information, it would be greatly appreciated!
Visit our website at www.campkesem.org/northwestern/
Thank you,
Stephanie Harold
