Camp For Children With Cancer
Camp For Children With Cancer
COLEBROOK â 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 23rd annual session Sunday, August 21, through Friday, August 26, at YMCA Camp Jewell.
 This overnight camp is free and provides a place for children in treatment or remission to become kids again through the summer camp experience. The camp allows the children to see they are not alone in their struggle and provides peer support for everyone involved. All campers participate with the approval of their doctors.
This yearâs camp theme is âTropical Paradise.â On Sunday, the Hu Ke Lau Restaurant staff, of Chicopee, Mass., will entertain campers with a Polynesian dinner and a show. Later in the week, melodies played on steel drums will accompany a fireworks display. Campers will decorate flip-flops as one of the themed craft activities.
Other activities include swimming, photography, learning magic tricks, board games, hiking, horseback riding, and boating. âYou would think itâs a normal camp,â said American Cancer Society Camp Coordinator Tina Saunders.
âOne 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 â and they didnât have to hide anything; they all knew what the others were talking about,â 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 and four nurses remain on site throughout the week. The volunteers who serve as directors, cabin staff, and craft specialists include attorneys, teachers, students, business people, and former campers.
Male cabin staff members are needed for the 2005 session.
For more information about Camp Rising Sun or to register, contact Tina Saunders at tina.saunders@cancer.org or call 800-ACS-2345.