About Us
Our mission is two-fold:
- To provide children affected by a parent’s cancer with a supportive, lifelong camp community that recognizes and understands their unique needs.
- To empower college students to make a difference and build invaluable leadership skills by developing and managing every aspect of their Camp Kesem chapter.
Our Purpose
Camp Kesem empowers college student leaders nationwide to create free, life-changing summer camps for children affected by a parent’s cancer.
The Need
There are 1.7 million cancer cases a year in the United States that affect individuals and their families. The support is there for grown-ups; but the special emotional needs of children of adult cancer patients have been overlooked. Simply put: kids are often left to deal with these personal tragedies on their own; and if parents themselves are struggling with illness, their sons and daughters frequently miss the simple joys of childhood.
Giving Kids the Opportunity to Be Kids
Since 2000, Camp Kesem has given children affected by a parent’s cancer the opportunity to just be kids. The ever-expanding Kesem community engages in camp activities like sports, arts and crafts, and drama to give campers a fun-filled week. Campers also participate in “Cabin Chats” with fellow campers and counselors, giving children the chance to share their experiences with each other. There are plenty of laughs and lots of emotional support, but Camp Kesem does not provide therapy. The tremendous fun and support campers experience is what makes Camp Kesem a transformative, magical week for campers and counselors alike.
Empowering a Generation of Student Leaders
Camp Kesem makes a huge impact on the lives of children, but it also prepares and empowers a generation of student leaders by allowing responsible college-age individuals to make a meaningful difference. Each of our camps around the country is organized and operated by the young up-and-coming leaders of tomorrow who gain hands-on experience in fundraising, finance, marketing and project management as they bring much-needed happiness to truly deserving kids. In addition to real-world skills, Camp Kesem enables student-leaders to discover their passion for serving others.
Recognitions & Awards
Camp Kesem has received the 2012 All Star Award from Constant Contact®, Inc., the trusted marketing advisor to more than half a million small organizations worldwide. Each year, Constant Contact bestows the All Star Award to a select group of businesses and nonprofits who are successfully leveraging online marketing tools to engage their customer base, and drive success for their organization. Camp Kesem’s results ranked among the top 10% of Constant Contact’s international customer base.
Once again, in January of 2013, Camp Kesem was chosen by LIVESTRONG as one of four Community Impact Projects. This grant will enable us to open another 12 chapters, whose inaugural weeks of camp will occur in the Summer of 2014.
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In 2011, Camp Kesem was chosen by LIVESTRONG as one of four Community Impact Projects. This grant enabled us to open 12 new chapters, whose inaugural weeks of Camp Kesem will occur in Summer 2012. |
Printable Resources
Feel free to download and distribute our CK Flyer 2012-2013
Download our Family Fundraising Packet by clicking here.
Financials
View our 2012 Form 990
2012 Financial Statements
2012 Annual Report
Camp Kesem is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Tax ID # 51-0454157.
