ACS Camp Rising Sun

Ready For 22nd Season

COLEBROOK — Camp Rising Sun, an American Cancer Society summer camp program for children ages 6 to 18 that have been diagnosed with cancer, will hold its 22nd annual session Sunday, August 21, through Friday, August 26.

More than 100 children are registered to attend this free, weeklong, overnight camp that provides a place for children in treatment or remission to become kids again through the summer camp experience. This unique camp allows children to see they are not alone in their struggle and provides support, camaraderie, and lifelong friendships for everyone involved. All campers participate with the approval of their doctors.

Each year the camp has a specific theme. For this year’s session, Camp Rising Sun will be transformed into a Tropical Paradise. On Sunday, the Hu Ke Lau Restaurant staff of Chicopee, Mass., will entertain campers with a Polynesian dinner and a live show. Everyone will be dressed in their best tropical attire as they dance to live Hawaiian music under the stars. The tropical feel continues when, midweek, the camp will be entertained by the Caribbean Music of the Roylety Steel Pan Band, followed by a professional fireworks display provided by Pyro-Fx Entertainment.

In keeping with the tropical theme, campers will decorate flip-flops as one of their craft activities. Other activities include swimming, photography, learning magic tricks, board games, hiking, horseback riding, and boating.

“You would think it’s a normal camp,” said American Cancer Society Camp Coordinator Tina Saunders.

“One of the best aspects of Camp Rising Sun is that these kids have all traveled down the same road, and no one is ashamed of being bald or showing off their scars. The first day on the waterfront, my boys were comparing scars — and they didn’t have to hide anything, they all knew what the others were talking about,” said volunteer camp counselor and cancer survivor Scott Capozza of Bridgeport.

The 50-person staff of Camp Rising Sun is comprised solely of volunteers. A pediatric oncologist, Dr Joseph McNamara of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Associates in Guilford, and four nurses remain on site throughout the week, allowing those still in treatment to attend. The volunteers who serve as directors, cabin staff and craft specialists include attorneys, teachers, students, business people, many of whom are former campers and cancer survivors.

On average, between 100 and 110 children attend Camp Rising Sun each year. The majority of campers are from Connecticut, but campers from other states are also welcome.

For more information about Camp Rising Sun contact Tina Saunders at tina.saunders@cancer.org or call 800-ACS-2345.