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| In the Sunshine at Camp Sunshine By: Sarah Cushing It is a warm July afternoon in Maine and I am sitting in a sandbox building sandcastles with a four year-old child named Olivia. As we build our sand palace side-by-side, Olivia reaches up and touches the ends of my hair that are hanging over my shoulders. As she looks at my hair she twists it a bit and says “I don’t have any hair now—but Daddy said God would make it grow back.” Olivia is right—chemotherapy treatments for cancer have left her bald. And even though her lack of hair is obvious by looking at her, I am taken back by what she said. Still, I respond quickly and simply and say “Your Daddy is right.” And that’s how it goes at Camp Sunshine. Even though I am the camp counselor and Olivia is the camper, I feel like I am the one who is playing and learning. This is just a part of what is so special about Camp Sunshine. Situated on serene Lake Sebago in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine is a camp for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Kids of all ages facing illnesses such as cancer, kidney disease, anemia, lupus, organ transplants and other life-threatening illnesses are able to come to Camp Sunshine for a week-long session of full-fledged summer camp fun. One of the things that makes Camp Sunshine so unique is that campers are accompanied by their immediate families. “The very nature of the camp itself is unique; very few camps offer the opportunity to participate as a family. Here at Camp Sunshine the well child and the ill child attend and participate together, with their parents also in attendance. Camp Sunshine also has the philosophy of being with and supporting the family for their entire journey,” says Mike Katz, Campus Director of Camp Sunshine. While at Camp Sunshine campers days are filled with fun activities. Kids are broken down into groups according to age, and every group has a mix of children who are ill and healthy. Campers take part in traditional camp activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, kayaking and canoeing, and kickball. Campers also have free time during the day and participate in evening entertainment, which ranges from a talent show to a live magician act. Don’t forget about the parents—they have their own activities schedule and are invited to participate in the evening entertainment as well! And, one of the greatest things about Camp Sunshine is that families don’t have to pay a cent for their time at camp. “Everything is provided at no charge to all the families; food, lodging, entertainment, activities, psychosocial and medical support, etc.,” Mike says. Each family’s week long stay is sponsored by an outside source, such as an individual or corporation. Adds Mike, “Everyone is well cared for and families can also be secure in knowing that Camp Sunshine is an ACA (American Camp Association) accredited camp.” One of the coolest things about Camp Sunshine is that its staff of camp counselors is completely volunteer driven. Volunteers range in age from sixteen to eighty and come from all over the country to give their time at Camp Sunshine. Volunteers perform lots of different duties. Some work in the arts and crafts department, some work in the kitchen preparing meals for campers and staff and some work with campers on a one-to-one basis. The volunteer counselors are part of what make Camp Sunshine so special. “Families benefit from is our diverse and extensive network of volunteers, many of whom return year after year and help make the ‘magic’ of Camp Sunshine happen,” Mike says. “It is through these very volunteers that we are able to help mend the fabric of the family by providing love, hope and of course plenty of fun!” he adds. Camp Sunshine has brought me so much joy. From playing with Olivia in the sandbox to making friends with fellow volunteers, the weeks I spend there are always the best time of my summer. Friends and acquaintances have often asked if Camp Sunshine is a sad place to be—after all, the idea of a child with a life-threatening illness doesn’t bring a smile to your face. Yet, absolutely not, is always my answer. The families at Camp Sunshine come to camp to have fun. Along the way they meet other families who are dealing with similar obstacles and volunteers who are ready to help and have fun. The sad moments come at the end of camp, when the families and volunteers have to say good bye and part with their new friends. But, the sadness of saying good bye doesn’t compare to the Camp Sunshine “magic” I carry with me, which is the warmth I feel from helping deserving families have a week of hassle-free summer fun. To learn more about Camp Sunshine and for information on volunteering visit www.campsunshine.org. |
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