Rave Reviews

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Kesem is another world. You are who you really are and time passes by so fast, but you know the people there better than you know friends from school or anywhere else I believe. The counselors are all so caring and are truly there for us.”

 

“Camp means everything to me. I can be with my friends and not have to worry and I love being with the counselors. It is an escape from pain. I can be myself for a while and just feel free. I get so scared for my mum, but at Camp Kesem I can just be me.”

 

“Camp Kesem is the highlight of my year, in the past four summers I have made friendships with peers as well as counselors that I know will never end, regardless of time together or how much we contact each other. Realizing your problems, the fact that other people have similar problems, and that there are people who understand is a huge thing for me and every camper and being able to talk about them and know that they are there for you is just as priceless. Thank you to everybody who makes the magic happen.:)”

 

What our parents say:

“It was an amazing week of bonding, empowerment and fun. Both our children came back inspired and sharing their enthusiasm from a wonderful week.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“As the victim of cancer my illness had taken away so much from my kids. The camp not only impacted them but also was very healing for me to get to see them have the opportunity to have fun. My medical bills have robbed them of this. Our times at the functions were the only fun our family has had which has allowed us a time to connect which is healing. It is also very important that they know they are not the only ones going through this.”

 

“I feel that Camp Kesem brings a true appreciation and gratitude into our home. The children getting to be around other kids that are facing similar struggles or even worse creates a sense of thankfulness and gratitude for where we are at with our lives and a sense of empathy for the families that are deep in the battle.”

 

“It has been such a meaningful and lasting experience for my children to be around other kids who are going through similar experiences related to their parents cancer. They have been able to express themselves to the counselors and campers in a very honest and safe environment. They come home tired, stinky, and better equipped to handle the unknowns that come with cancer. We are grateful!”

 

“Camp Kesem is really a life changing experience for our family. My two teenagers come back happy, excited and confident that they can handle what may come because they have developed such a strong support system from camp. The counselors are amazing and should feel so good about what they do. The friendships the kids made will last and get them through tough times. As a mother, it is wonderful to know that my children feel better and happy as a result of going to Camp Kesem. Thank you!”

 

“Camp Kesem has been life changing for our family and has filled a hole we didn’t even realize was there. So much attention is paid to the person with cancer (in this case, the parent) that other family members, and particularly children, can inadvertently be slighted. Camp Kesem is a place where their needs (the children) are addressed and their own survivorship celebrated.”

 

“I am not sure the full impact of the experience can be gauged from camp until now. The confidence and strength, and sheer comfort in being himself has been obvious thus far but I have a feeling there is more under the surface. Even just the opportunity to go and be a kid – not someone’s caregiver, child, son, brother or anything else has made a difference. For one blissful week he was just himself living life instead of existing in it. I thank God for the opportunity for him to experience that and look forward to it again more than words can express.”

What our student leaders say:

“There is no greater feeling than to have a child call you their hero when actually they are yours.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Every empowerment ceremony has meant the absolute world to me. It gives you this chance to see what you thought were broken kids, be strong and feel like they have purpose and reason to enjoy their childhood. I just love Camp Kesem.”

 

“I went to camp being a role model for these kids and came back home with 40 new role models to look up to!”

 

“On the very first day, the one of the most shy girls at camp sat down next to me at dinner and only said one thing: this has been the greatest day ever.”

 

“Since I graduated, my last day at camp this summer was quite an emotional one for me. I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and currently teach first grade. One of my campers (who I had counseled for 3 years in a row), looked up at me during closing circle and said, “I would be in first grade again if you could be my teacher!” At that moment I knew being involved with Camp Kesem had truly changed my life!”

 

“How do you describe something so perfect? Camp is fun. It gives both camper and counselor alike to do something very important: to put aside life for a while and act like a kid. Camp is silly, emotional, rejuvenating and a million other things that words can hardly begin to describe. In short, camp is magic.”

 

“One thing I will always cherish that Kesem taught me is how children can possess incredible maturity and strength while simultaneously surprising you with moments of innocence and a passion for pure fun. Knowing that one does not override the other, even in children who are inundated with tragedy, is a lesson that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

“Camp Kesem instilled in me the belief that I can succeed. It opened my eyes to see that I can truly make a positive difference in someone else’s life.” ~Counselor

“One camper said that it’s OK if her mom dies because she knows her mom will always be in her heart – she learned at camp that kids whose parents have died from cancer continue to laugh and play and have fun at camp.” ~Counselor story

“Camp Kesem has easily been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life… The smiles on the children’s faces, the laughter and the happiness I was lucky enough to be a part of, and the looks of triumph on the faces of the older kids after they conquered the ropes course will always stay with me.” ~Counselor

“My position within the organization put me in close contact with all of the families served that are coping with cancer, and I have formed unique and unparalleled bonds with these families. I spent the past three years earning their trust and providing them with support. The tears of joy and gratitude I shared with these families on my final day at camp made me understand that this is the population with which I wish to work.” ~Counselor