Camp Sunshine at Sebago Lake Inc

We found out about Camp Sunshine while our four year old daughter was just beginning treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. After several months of intensive in patient treatment for our daughter, as well as a newborn baby, our family really needed a break. Camp Sunshine offered a very safe place to take a short vacation for us all by providing the very much needed support (medical, physical and mental) to allow us to relax and have some fun. We returned several times and have fond memories of all of the great times and wonderful connections that we made while there. The volunteer staff were so helpful. The medical staff provided needed assistance and guidance around the clock. There are always fun themed events and programs. We took part in many different fun, educational and therapeutic activities all of which really helped get thru a few very difficult years. Thank god for the good folks at Camp Sunshine, it really has meant so much to our family!

Our daughter Quinn was diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma brain tumor when she was two years old. After multiple brain tumor resection surgeries and 18 months of chemotherapy, we were able to stop the brain tumor from growing further. Shortly thereafter, we were lucky to find the greatest organization to help us through our journey: Camp Sunshine! We first went there for our daughter to get away, but quickly realized that Camp was a way for parents of children in similar battles to come together. There is no other place like Camp Sunshine, enveloping our families in true empathy. Our lives will never be the same thanks to everyone at Camp Sunshine and all those that support this phenomenal organization! Thank you!!

Aww! We loved camp Sunshine a lot ������. My Son was diagnosed with sickle cell. We were invited by by his social worker. We met with other families and learned a lot from each other. The food was great, so many fun activities we did. The accommodation was awesome infact it was like a vacation. We took of off time from the busy city to come down to camp Sunshine to cool off. Honestly, when it was time to leave. We cried and hugged each other. We were like family. Am sorry, I didn't add pictures but we sure took so many amazing pictures. I did not forget to mention those amazing Men and women who volunteered to watch our kids while we enjoy ourselves, go from one activity to the other. Thank you everyone. I hope I can upload some interesting pictures next time.

My family loves Camp Sunshine. My husband and I found comfort and solace there by being able to share our story of our daughters journey with cancer. My daughter got to spend time with other children living with or survivors of cancer. She got to learn and explore her own story in a safe and supportive environment. The staff and volunteers were fun, compassionate, thoughtful and respectful. Our time at Camp Sunshine will always be one of the most special experiences we have had as a family.

We have had the pleasure of attending the Pediatric Low Grade Brain Tumor week at Camp Sunshine twice. It was the most at home and understanding place I have ever felt since my son’s diagnosis. They are now “our people” and friends. We have enjoyed staying in touch via an online group and personally ever since. We can’t wait to get back there in person. It is such a breath of fresh air to be in a place where you, your family and your child fit right in and are loved for all that they are. - The Rix Family, St. Augustine Florida

Our family was invited to Camp Sunshine after our oldest child was diagnosed with Wilm's tumor, which is kidney cancer and we were treated with kindness and compassion. The staff at Camp sunshine are phenomenal!! They are always accomodating , ensuring that the families have supplies that they need or can guide them as to where they can find what they need. They go above and beyond to ensure that the families have fun by having different activities such as a talent show, they have date night for the parents, games and art projects for the kids, as well as swimming and nature walks. We grew closer as a family after visiting Camp Sunshine because it is an experience like no other!!

With Covid, we have only gotten to experience Camp Sunshine at home...but it is WONDERFUL! Everything has been so creative and well thought-out, not to mention fun. Whenever I am corresponding with them through email, the team is prompt and so kind. They have brought much sunshine to the lives of this pediatric cancer family! ~The Gilberts

everything about Camp Sunshine exceeded our expectations. The mental calm that it gave to our family was priceless, as well as the many smiles and laughter. We have been greatly missing it during the covid years and can't wait to return! We have made lifelong friends from all over through this camp! The volunteers are so empathic, compassionate and helpful. Wonderful, wonderful place at any part of your journey.

All volunteers always try their best to make the kids feel good. They make a difference in our kids lives!

This is an amazing organization. We spent time at the camp in person and have participated in several online sessions. The programming is excellent and we received incredible support from all the staff and volunteers. We love Camp Sunshine !

Our family participated in Camp Sunshine in 2018. The staff were so kind and supportive. The accommodation was excellent and the meals were great! The activities were well planned and we enjoyed them all. It was like one big family having fun and sharing our experiences.

Camp Sunshine was a whole lot of fun for our family. The staff and volunteers were so warm and welcoming. On top of that the facilities and campus were fantastic and filled with so many fun activities, including a lake with all kinds of water sports, dancing and games at night, and even the food was good. For families going through a lot, you really lose yourself in this paradise.

This is a really good camp! My daughter love it and all the people there are so kind to her. They entertain all the kids there with all sorts of games and give them yummy food too.

My wife, granddaughter and I have been. Volunteers for many years at Camp Sunshine. We all agree that the times that we have been volunteering have been some of the happiest moments of our lives. We have all so volunteered for the same number of years at the Auction,Monte Carlo and other Fundraising events. Camp Sunshine has a special place in our hearts because we have a multi-handicapped grandson and his sister is the one who volunteers with us. We have seen directly the affect that Camp has on so many special children. All of those who work at Camp Sunshine are Angels in our minds.

Not sure of what to expect, I became a Camp Sunshine volunteer 14 years ago. (returning for many, many sessions ever since). What I found was a world where kindness and smiles relieve the everyday stresses for the kids and their families. During the session all kids are just regular kids, whether the patient or the siblings. Kids meet other kids that look and act just like them. Volunteers guide age-appropriate fun filled camp days, and evenings bring the families together again for dancing, talent shows, and various entertainment. Parents have opportunities to share their stories and strategies with other parents, partake in blooper games, or to enjoy some quiet time to just relax. Kids follow fun-filled agendas allowing both inside and outside year-round activities supervised by the many yellow-shirted volunteers. The groups of strangers who entered through the yellow doors just days before, leave as friends and family by the session's end.

One of the BEST weeks of the year for our family! We drive all the way from Tennessee to Maine to refresh our family priorities and to come together with other families that are going through or have gone through childhood cancer like us.

Truly a place of hope for us! I didn’t even realize how lonely I was until we met others who could relate to our experience. We attended the Solid Organ Transplant Camp 2019, and my eldest still talks about it constantly! Can’t wait to go back when my second is older (she’s now 2 years old and is the organ recipient) and is able to participate more.

Camp Sunshine loves on the whole family, not just the child. (Take me back to Camp Sunshine every year, please!)

Camp Sunshine is an awesome place! It has a sense of calm, peace and healing. We attended Retinoblastoma Camp June 2019 and it deeply impacted our family. We connected with other families that went through the same journey we had, and it is recomforting to experience such great empathy, knowledge and support. My kids loved the activities they had and had a lot of fun. They want to go back every year!! My RB son had an opportunity to meet with other kids that had the same journey as he had and that itself is a life changing experience. We can't thank enough Camp Sunshine for letting us live this experience and for the love and commitment they do all things for families.

This is one of the most loving caring and sharing places to be! The individuals here really love and care for you and your family as if you are there own. Providing such great quality clean services. Love them to the moon and back. They have become my forever family!

I became a volunteer at Camp Sunshine in 2014, and I admit, I was a reluctant volunteer. I didn't know what to expect or what would be expected of me.
Fast forward to 2020--I am no longer a reluctant volunteer but an eager volunteer--trying to go as often as I can.
Over the years, I met families struggling with managing their child's medications and daily life, families who are trying to reconcile the loss of a child , and through it all they find support or solace from others experiencing the same. Volunteers make a difference providing respite so parents can get away from their routines and bond with other families or just to be able to take a deep breath.
I have made friendships that will last my lifetime. Some of those friends are families, volunteers and staff at Camp Sunshine.
I am grateful to have been urged by my daughter to volunteer at this wonderful place of hope and healing.
Coming away from a session at Camp, I feel like a much better person.

They were able to give us joy while dealing with such heartache for our little boys battle with cancer. Will always be part of our lives

Camp Sunshine is awesome !! Over the summer we participated in arts and crafts and zoom meetings and my boys loved it. They added smiles and laughs during a tough time. Their creativity and support is unmatched

This year was my families first time with camp sunshine although we were at home they made it special by having "camp at home." It was very lively and I can not wait to go in person with the family.

We are a family from the Sunshine state.
Camp Sunshine in February was a little different then our normal winter day. Some how they found ways to keep us thin blooded Floridians outside everyday. Snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing, horse drawn carriage rides, sking, and sledding. The lodging was beyond what I imagined. Our Florida mermaid even had time to show off her swimming skills in the pool.
You can't talk about how great Camp Sunshine is without talking about the people. The staff and volunteers are amazing. They feel like family by the time you leave camp. The parents even get time to participate in support groups if they so choose. But be warned, do not wear anything tight fitting. The kitchen staff will see to it you need extra belt loops.

The Maine Professional Drivers Association got involved with Camp Sunshine in 1998 and has worked with the South Portland Lions Clubs to raise funds each year by holding a Trucking for Kids Convoy. Over that period many truck drivers have volunteered their time and raised over $185,000 for the Camp. This has given many kids the opportunity to attend and get all the great benefits that the Camp provides for those who really need it. Once you see what the kids get out of this camp and what it accomplishes, you find it very easy to give of your time and treasure to help them accomplish their goal.

Camp Sunshine is a magical place for families with children with life threatening illness. They are so wonderful at connecting families and supporting people at all points of their journey. Even through Covid they have kept us all connected and hopeful. Can’t think Camp Sunshine and all of their volunteers for all of their great work.

There is no other place like Camp Sunshine. Camp Sunshine provides a healing retreat for children, their siblings, and their parents. The property is amazing! Children are given a reprieve from medical life, and are able to enjoy a well planned out week full of activities. Parents are given opportunities to share with other parents and enjoy their own activities as well. Camp Sunshine is truly a place of hope, healing, and sunshine!

This is my favorite place in the world! I can not say enough about it. The families I have met there have become a part of my family. The staff are incredibly kind and responsible. The facilities are top notch and extremely clean. The programming is fun and challenging. The food is so yummy and there is a little something for everyone.

I first went to Camp Sunshine in my early teens (also the early 2000's), and went around 2004, and then again around 2007 and 2009. Unfortunately the last two times were for Bereavement sessions. Camp Sunshine helped my family enjoy the time we did have with my late brother, Michael, and helped us grieve his loss. From 2007-2019 I participated every winter in the "Freezin for a Reason" polar plunge to support Camp Sunshine, strengthening relationships with my loved ones and contributing what we could to this amazing organization. I wish that every family suffering from childhood cancer could experience Camp Sunshine.

In the summer of 2019 I volunteered for the first time during the Lupus session. It was such a heartfelt and rewarding experience. Getting to create bonds with the kids, families and other volunteers was one of the best parts. But being able to see the campers' faces light up like they're having the time of their life was amazing. Camp Sunshine is my favorite place in the entire world and I cant wait to return next summer. It was the best experience but also the hardest. Having to say goodbye to the families was the hardest goodbye. Camp Sunshine is the place to be!

Landry/French Construction has been involved with Camp Sunshine for the past four years, and is deeply touched by their mission. Not only do they provide a tremendous service to these children, but for their entire families who, too, are affected by the illness. We've seen firsthand Camp Sunshine's passion and commitment for what they do. It warms our hearts knowing that these children and their families can enjoy a bit of respite if only for a short period.

Camp Sunshine is magic.

It is a wonderful place that allows a child to be a person and not a diagnosis. Camp Sunshine provides adventure in the form of games, activities, and camaraderie. Thousands of volunteers come from all over the country to laugh, play, and cry with all of the families that come through the door. It is not only a place to forget, but a place to celebrate. It connects families with people that just get it. These families, whom some have never met another family like theirs, are able to feel the weight lifted off of their shoulders as they talk to people who understand. They celebrate victories and mourn the losses. I am proud to be a volunteer of a camp that’s mission is to help. Camp Sunshine teaches me to help. It teaches me that even through the scariest of diagnoses, a child will always remain a child. Smiley, full of hope, and a superhero of pure determination.

Camp Sunshine has been a magical destination to thousands of families over the last 35 years. When I walk through the front door something happens that I can’t explain. One step inside and the outside world no longer exists. The stress, the pressures and the fast pace world all disappear. Once inside love, passion, respect and caring hearts become the normal amongst all. The incredible staff has the sessions and facilities running smoothly at all times. They are the heartbeat of Camp sunshine. It’s amazing to watch them greet volunteers and families with lots of love and smiles. Without the incredible bright yellow shirted volunteers, Camp Sunshine would not exist as we know it. The tireless efforts, love and support they show to each family member is what Camp Sunshine all about. The families attending Camp Sunshine each session learn that they can share the life challenges they are facing with other families facing the same challenges. It’s beautiful to watch the families bond with each other throughout the session. The love that is displayed is like a ray of sunshine.

The world would be a better place if it followed the same values that
Camp Sunshine follows.

Bob Pappalardo.

I have been volunteering at Camp Sunshine since 2001. I am constantly motivated to return to Camp to help give the families who pass through the 3 yellow doors a unique experience. It's truly a retreat and respite from their routines that include doctors, clinics, scans, medications. At Camp Sunshine, the whole family gets to disconnect from that life to connect with others who are experiencing a similar experience in the childhood disease world. The love and the depth of connection is apparent from the first moment you enter campus. The staff and volunteers are readily available to meet the needs of the family, ensuring all members are able to relax and enjoy their experience at Camp. It is a truely special place and I can't recommend it highly enough.

I have volunteered at Camp Sunshine since 2002 and it continues to be very rewarding because it is so special to all the families and volunteers.
We say there are no coincidences at Camp. That we are all destined to be there at the exact moments that we attend to interact with others and bring peace and love to everyone who is there with us.
I cannot thank Camp Sunshine enough for allowing me to be a part of the magic!

Volunteering at Camp Sunshine is a very special experience. Seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter and sharing the happiness of children having fun is worth more than anyone can explain.

When one of my twins was six months old, he lost his left eye to an extremely rare tumor called an intraocular medulloepithelioma. The tumor-type is so rare that we could not find information on it, including other people who experienced it. We turned to several retinoblastoma support groups, as that type of eye cancer is similar to the type my son experienced. Within those groups, someone referred us to Camp Sunshine. Although I had attended many fundraisers for Camp as a resident of Maine, I never thought I would have a child who would be going to Camp. We attended our first session in June of 2013, just three months after my son’s surgery. The twins were just ten months old and my oldest was not quite three. I was so nervous to go. I didn’t know what to expect or if I could even do it on my own (my husband couldn’t get time off to come). But I packed us up and went and I am so glad I did. Everyone was incredibly warm and welcoming. I met other parents and families dealing with the schedule of scans and ophthalmology appointments and occularist visits. I met other kids who had gotten through losing an eye to become amazing people. I met volunteers who took care of me and my children like we were family. I found a place of caring and respite. We made lifelong friends on that first visit and have continued to each time we attend. We have a network of Camp families and volunteers all over the country and all over the world.
I try to raise money for Camp at every opportunity. This is a program that is FREE OF COST for families. They house us, feed us, and provide activities and childcare. But what is truly priceless is the love we find every time we go to Camp.
Camp is a ray of sunshine when the darkness seems unbearable. It is a place of hope and a resource to us. I don’t know where we would be in our journey without it.

I have been a volunteer for the past 17 years at Camp Sunshine. The friends I have made through the years both families and volunteers have made such a huge impact on my life. I look forward to going to Camp every year! I can't imagine my life without Camp, where the Sun shines all year round. Ariel Epstein Pollack

Camp Sunshine is an amazing place to connect with other families who share your journey. Our family attended the oncology off treatment week and were able to meet other families with a child who has had cancer. This week offered activities for both parents and children to connect with others. I would highly recommend it.

I discovered this organization shortly after my niece’s 12 year old daughter was diagnosed with lupus. She had suffered for most of year and was struggling every day to just keep going. The toll it took on her mother was also devastating as she felt helpless camp sunshine helped them find other families especially young children facing the same issues and the wonderful support, education, and ability to help the families learn how to once again enjoy life was transformative. Of great importance is that they were able to attend without charge since they raise funds for such support. My niece and her daughter would never have been able to afford it otherwise. Amazing organization!!!

Our infant daughter Sloan was diagnosed with a life-threatening liver disease called biliary atresia and she ultimately needed a liver transplant. This experience impacted every aspect of our lives and at times we felt very isolated. We were fortunate enough to attend Camp Sunshine along with numerous other transplant families not even a year after her transplant. This weekend was incredible. It united us with people who have been through similar situations, people who just "got it". It was a weekend full of compassion, love, listening, support and fun. The volunteers are amazing, the camp is beautiful and clean, and the food was great, too! We would recommend this camp to any family who has gone through something life altering and difficult. These memories will last forever and we can't wait to return, and for our daughter to grow up and make transplant friends that she can't wait to see at camp!

Hands down--the best experience our family has ever had together. The staff and volunteers are incredible; they made us feel comfortable at every moment. The events were well thought out--with both child and adult participation. We all tried something new that week, and it was the most incredible feeling. Camp Sunshine is a treasured and precious memory for us during a very challenging time. We've made life-long connections and have already had several reunions with the group with whom we shared our time. We can't wait to go back and experience greatness all over again!

We attended Camp Sunshine June 2018. We had just completed treatment for our six year old daughter’s Wilms tumor. After a tumultuous 9 months we were able to travel as a family for the first time. We enjoyed bonding and sharing stories with other families facing similar situations. Life long relationships were formed. Thank you so much for such an awesome week together at Camp Sunshine!

My family attended Camp Sunshine for the 2018 Leukemia Week in early July and we are still blown away by how amazing this place is. The location is absolutely gorgeous, the facilities are great and the staff and volunteers are nothing short of amazing. Camp Sunshine is such a special place and I will be forever grateful for the wonderful experience they provided for my family.

We attended two camp sunshine Labour day weekend they were both awesome,Camp Sunshine rocks gives you a peace of mind while your there.

Camp Sunshine has a special place in the hearts of my entire family. From my three children (who each have a life-threatening syndrome and love meeting others with the same syndrome) to my wife and me (who love meeting up with new and old friends all going through the same ordeals) to my parents (who volunteer each year at Camp Sunshine to help this wonderful organization). Camp Sunshine gives us a week away from all of the problems, a week to relax, learn, and bond with others. It is an amazing place!!

Our family attended the low grade brain tumor week July 2018. It was life changing. Both children enjoyed the activities from paddle boarding to ping pong. My son who has a brain tumor didn’t want to leave. It was the happiest he’s been in a long time. He finally felt accepted and comfortable with living with a brain tumor. Mid week he asked us to move to Camp Sunshine. After returning home the first thing he said when he woke up in the morning was “365 days to Camp Sunshine”. Staff and volunteers were loving, nurturing and genuinely committed to campers and families.

My family and I visited Camp Sunshine this August and they were exceptional. My kids loved it and my wife & I met a lot a great people, made a bunch of new friends. This is a top notch organization from top to bottom and I could not praise them enough for the good that they do and the kindness/love that they show every family that visits!

Lupus week 2018 was our first time at Camp Sunshine. When we attended camp this was a new diagnosis for our family. It was so nice for my daughter to be able to meet other children with similar stories. It was great for my son to be able to meet other siblings and other children with a chronic illness. I was already overwhelmed and meeting so many wonderful families with a shared history provided a opportunity for me to be able to learn more about the diagnosis in a way that was easier for me to manage. My children made friends that they continue to talk to months after camp. We are all looking forward to going back to Camp Sunshine. Thank you to all the staff, volunteers and other families for making a terrifying diagnosis a little less scary.

Hi my name is neelima and my baby's name is ananya we had such a great time in Camp sonshine 5 days camp we are we we are so relaxing and they are so good to us and we had a lot of fun with boating swimming archery and food was amazing and I'm going also next year with my whole family thank you Cam sunshine

This past July, my family had an opportunity to attend Camp Sunshine. Overwhelmingly amazing is an understatement for this experience. Upon having to leave camp we all cried. My boys didn't want to leave. Neither did I. We were well taken care of and I am truly grateful for having to have found such a place. When I say retreat.. Trust me, it is indeed that. Thank you Camp Sunshine for being so awesome, generous, loving, and kind to us. Blessings.

My family has attended camp sunshine and it was an amazing experience. My family loved it.

This past June, our family had our first trip to Camp Sunshine! We could not have enjoyed our experience more. The volunteers were phenomenal, the facilities were immaculate, our meals were amazing, and the friendships we made are second to none!!! We hope to be a part of the Camp Sunshine Family for years to come!

As a fellow non-profit it is incredible to work with Camp Sunshine! Our experience with the staff is incredible. Anne Howley gives extra special attention to the detail of each family we work together on. Arranging free air transportation to a free camp for families with life threatening illnesses has been nothing but a win-win. Feedback from families is that they would not be able to go and enjoy the full program as Maine is often times states away from where they are. PALS (Patient Airlift Services) proudly partners with Camp Sunshine to make sure they enjoy that time of hope and healing as a family.

I'm a Camp Sunshine family and volunteer for the past 10 years. Camp Sunshine is a home away from home for my family. During our darkest days in the cancer journey Camp Sunshine was our light! The warmth, love and care you receive from the second you walk is unprecedented. Forget Disney my family thinks Camp Sunshine is the "happiest place on earth".
Cavallo Clan

Happiest place on earth (yes, happier than Disney!)

Wonderful place full of wonderful people and wonderful experiences. Would spend every week there if I could.

I have been volunteering at Camp since 2015 and I absolutely love being able to help sick children and their families escape their normal reality for a bit. I will continue to come back year after year!!

Camp is an amazing place and I love being here! I first started coming when I was 16 and now I have been to camp over 30 times. There is no better place to spend a summer. The people you meet and the experiences you have with stay with you through your whole life.

Camp Sunshine is a truly incredible place where everyone feels welcome. On the last day of camp, it is not unusual to see babies and teenagers alike crying because they don't want to leave their "home." For these campers, Camp Sunshine is their "safe place"; for a moment, they get to "fit in" and people just "get them." For once, it's kind of cool to be the person who has a life threatening illness. For their siblings and their parents, it's more of the same. Camp Sunshine provides them a place to meet people who truly understand what they go through day in and day out. They can swap stories, tips, advice, and give and receive love. Camp Sunshine allows these families a chance to get away, be a family, and be with people who understand. Since Camp Sunshine is free for those attending and volunteering, it also provides a vacation to those who are financially strapped by medical bills. It is a magical, life giving place.

Five stars aren't enough for a nonprofit that means the moon and the stars to those who attend. My family and I have just returned from a week at camp. We volunteer each year because we have witnessed the mission of Camp Sunshine and know what it means to the families who attend sessions year round. The session we recently returned from focused on a disease so rare that there are fewer than 1,000 known to have the life threatening illness. We talked of the value of "fitting in" at camp and how rarely they have an opportunity to fit in. There are no words to explain what it means to help others and to learn that in helping others the gifts are shared. Thank you Camp Sunshine for your dedication to families across the 50 states and Canada.

Volunttered at this camp and had a blast. All of the staff was very helpful and the kids were so much fun.

Absolutely loved being a yellow shirt here! Will be back!

I have volunteered twice at this amazing place and plan to continue as long as I can. You really feel like you make a difference here. A wonderful place for everyone!

Best place in the world! You really make a difference volunteering!

Camp Sunshine is hard to explain to people who have never experienced the magic it holds. However it is truly one of the happiest places on Earth. From the staff and volunteers to the incredibly strong families that fill this campus you will always leave knowing you belong somewhere special. This place will change you for the better and you'll find yourself coming back time and time again.

Volunteering here is an amazing experience I will never forget!!! The most beautiful and scenic place I have been in my life, and has many awesome things to do with the kids such as kayaking, mini golf, volleyball, ziplines, etc. Volunteer and family suites are very nice. Amazing place, loving volunteers and staff, and overall amazing experience! Can't wait to volunteer again next summer and I would highly reccommend it.

Camp Sunshine stole my heart. This summer was my first time volunteering, and I can see why so many people return year after year. I know I will be from now on. It is an incredible environment filled with incredible people. It was touching how much work went into making these families happy. The volunteers were wonderful, the staff was appreciative and kind, and the families I will never forget. Camp Sunshine is such a special place. I think back to the week I spent there constantly and cannot, absolutely cannot!!, wait to go back. Camp Sunshine is like no other.

Last year was our first experience at Camp Sunshine! Before arriving we had no idea what to expect but just knew that this was our first getaway since treatment which totaled 3.5 years. Our only son was diagnosed at age 9 with a rare form of leukemia called Philadelphia + ALL. Like many, treatment was brutal, long, exhausting (mentally and physically) and we knew we desperately needed a break and to getaway! Once learning about Camp Sunshine we immediately applied and were accepted right away. We had no idea what we were in for. Once arriving to camp we were totally taken away...away from the sickness, away from stress, away from fear, away from the hospital and away from confinement. We were instead now at a place of serenity, fun, joy, peace, understanding and had our every need taken care of. We needed this more than words can express!! Camp Sunshine is a Camp filled with light and if you've never experienced this incredible place please trust me you will not regret it. This isn't camping in tents, eating outside over fire pits and worrying if big creatures will attack at night....this is a resort of sorts where you have a spacious family suite, 3 meals in the meal hall, parent time while your kids are enjoying a full camp experience with every outdoor and indoor activity you can think of, family time, entertainment every evening, parent discussion groups, sibling group and volunteers that are beyond exceptional that care for yours and you children's every need!!! I can't say enough. I thank you Camp Sunshine for not only bringing my family joy and peace but to all the families you service every year....we are forever grateful.

At the age of two our son Banning began complaining that his stomach was hurting. As new parents we immediately thought his stomach might have been upset and his discomfort would pass by the next day. As the next morning arrived, Banning woke up in severe pain and was curled up into a ball and crying in pain. This concerned us greatly and we raced Banning to his pediatrician to find answers. Leaving the office we were convinced the discomfort would pass and was an isolated incident. The days and months that passed saw Banning’s pain intensify and his discomfort was so great he was refusing to eat and drink. Without proper nutrition he began to lose weight. Working with our pediatrician we made appointment with specialists in the areas of gastroenterology and infectious disease to find answers. While the stomach pain continued Banning began to have fevers which would spike in a matter of minutes to an alarming 104.5. The fevers were unfazed by Tylenol and Ibuprofen and we were unable to reduce his temperature without a visit to the Emergency Room. Banning was also prone to becoming sick with frequent colds, ear infections and even a rare case of giardia (normally found in third world countries). While illness in children is common, Banning was unable to fight off the illnesses quickly and took weeks to recover from a simply cold.

The months that followed were some of the most difficult and stressful my husband and I have ever experienced. Banning was now averaging 4 doctor’s visits and two trips the Emergency Room each month. Still no answers to why he was experiencing these severe episodes of stomach pain and cyclical fevers every twenty one days. His Gastroenterologist performed an exploratory scope of Banning abdomen to determine if there were any abnormalities. The scope raised concerns in Banning’s pancreas and the specialists spoke with us about the possibility that our son may have Cystic Fibrosis or Schwachman Diamond Syndrome, both debilitating diseases which attack the body’s vital organs. Banning was immediately placed on Creon, a drug used in cystic fibrosis patients, to help absorb the nutrients of the food he was eating. As there are no generics available for this drug, the prescription costs exceeded $800.00 for a month supply. This was a financial strain on our family, but the cost was minimal in contrast to our son’s continued health.

The episodes of stomach pain continued, although less frequent in the months that followed. It became apparent that this illness would not be diagnosed without seeking the help of a pediatric specialist outside of Orlando. After many long hours of research we were directed to the University of Florida Shands Children’s Hospital Hematology and Oncology Department.

After a six week period in which Banning’s blood was drawn twice a week, we had collected data which lead to a diagnosis on neutropenia, an abnormal reading of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell whose function is to fight off infections by destroying bacteria). While this was encouraging and seemed to explain the frequent illnesses, it did not explain the frequent stomach pains Banning was continuing to experience. The Hematologist recommended we seek the guidance of the Pediatric Gastroenterologist at Shands.

We were placed under the care of Dr. Christopher Jolley, Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Banning was given an MRI of the abdomen (pancreas) to determine if it was functioning properly with manipulation. Following these results it was determined that, in fact, Banning’s pancreas was not absorbing the nutrients of the food he was consuming and a diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency was recorded.
We have been given a clinical diagnosis of Shwachman Diamond Syndrome. Immediately I contacted Camp Sunshine because we had heard of the SDS week. There we met families with similar stories to ours. Also, it was great to be able to connect with those families who "understood" our situation. Our family has made forever friends through Camp Sunshine. We cant say enough about Camp Sunshine's positive impact on our lives. We are forever grateful.

My family went to camp with my brother while he was sick and we have continued going to bereavement sessions since his passing. Recently my parents have become volunteers and I look forward to doing the same when I'm old enough. Camp is an amazing place that has done so much for my family, and I have made friendships with both the other teens and volunteers that will last a life time.

I have had the great pleasure of being involved with Camp Sunshine for the last 28 years. I first went to camp as a patient with my family in 1988 and the experience was so unbelievable, we went back for years as counselors. Everyone from the Drs. to the kitchen staff, Anna Gould, Mike Katz, etc...do an awesome job and treat everyone with respect and it makes you want to go back year after year. To see the difference between the first day families get there and the last night singing "That's what friends are for" is amazing and I hope to get back to volunteer again soon. Try volunteering just once and you will fall in love with Camp Sunshine!!

Our family was blessed by all the kind staff and volunteers at Lupus camp this year.

I've volunteered at this amazing place the past two summers and based on my experience, I can easily say this is the greatest place in the world. People say Disney is the most magical place on earth, but spending just hours at Camp Sunshine, there is no question this place beats Disney. Camp Sunshine has changed my life as a volunteer, for the better, but the impact it has had on me, is because of the families it serves. These families who have struggled through the impossible challenges of having an extremely ill child, deserve every little and special aspect this place has to offer. It is truly a safe haven for parents, siblings, and most importantly patients.

Camp Sunshine is the most amazing place on earth!!! Kids and families get a break and have a blast while gaining support from each other!!! Our family started as campers and now we volunteer several weeks a year!!

I started volunteering there in college and I've continued throughout medical school. The relationships you build with the families are invaluable and the perspective the whole experience gives you is extremely unique. I'll continue to volunteer there as often as I can and I highly recommend it to everyone.

I have volunteered at Camp Sunshine for the past 12 years. Volunteering during different weeks and weekends in different areas. The opportunity that Camp Sunshine gives to families going through a difficult medical issue with their child is awesome. To bring fun, joy, knowledge, sharing etc, to parents and children has brought joy to my life each time I volunteered. Each week or weekend is special for all involved and have special memories. Some of my favorite memories are:
1). The smiling face of a 6 year old making a craft for their parent or sibling.
2).The toddlers having a "parade" with Musical instruments.
3). The teens winning the "Love Cup"
4). The ice cream soda dessert and little kids watching the foam rise.
One can go on and on about the wonderful loving experience Camp Sunshine families and volunteers provides. It surely is a special place!

Have been volunteering for years. I work as a pediatric critical care nurse so Camp Sunshine is absolutely astonishing to me. The very best place for ALL kids to be kids. Not patients, not a sibling of a sick kid. Camp Sunshine is filled with huge hearts and understanding minds.

Being able to attend camp has changed the course of our son's treatment. Being able to connect with others that have a similar journey and sharing information, love and laughter has been a gift during some uncertain days. As parents we never fully realized the impact a medical journey has on the entire family. More specifically the impact on the siblings. Camp is a place where we can let down our guard and not have to explain that things will never be "fixed" or "cured". Camp is a place to smile and have hope and optimism. We are greatful for the experiences, especially our one on one volunteers that are now part of our family!

I'm from Michigan and let me tell you, the road trip out to Camp Sunshine is worth every mile! As a volunteer I get to see the miracles that happen every day to every person involved. You become a more humbled, honored, loved, and grateful human being every second of every session. It is the definition of sunshine and I am so blessed to have volunteered there for 4 years and counting!

Our family first attended Camp Sunshine five months after my daughter, Mary, died from hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer. The services offered by Camp Sunshine and the connections we made at that session and all subsequent sessions have been a LIFE LINE for our family as we wade through being a bereaved family. I highly recommend Camp Sunshine to any family that is struggling with pediatric cancer and bereavement.

Our family first went to Camp Sunshine in July of 2002, ten months after my four year old son was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. It was so nice to be around people who did not judge us for how we looked or acted. Instead, they accepted and embraced us. We had a wonderful time and returned the following year for another extraordinary vacation. We always vowed to go back and volunteer there some day. Two years ago, my 17 year old daughter just that, and had an amazing experience. Last year, my husband and I joined her and had the opportunity to meet families who were going through the same agony that we had endured several years ago.

I am happy to say that my son, a leukemia survivor, will be joining us as a volunteer this year.

Having a child with a very rare disease makes it hard to find other families who understand what we go through. Being at Camp Sunshine helped us to connect with other families going through our situation and with the specialists that treat her disease. It was such an amazing week in our lives and our daughter really enjoyed being like other kids.

When our daughter was diagnosed with Lupus we did not know where to turn for support. Our lives had been upended, our daughter had spent the summer receiving chemotherapy treatments and becasue of predinisone her physical appearance was changing before our eyes. She wanted to find a camp where she would fit in. We wanted to find someplace that would provide support and information. At Camp Sunshine, we found all this and more! Our time there remains an important part of lives and we talk about friends from Camp Sunshine, information we have learned there and support we have received. We are so greatful this camp exists! They run an absolutely top notch program!

I started volunteering at Camp Sunshine at 16, as soon as I was able, and since then my life has never been quite the same. Camp Sunshine further confirmed my aspirations to be a Registered Nurse, and showed me true resiliance. Through the love and pure strength I recieved from the families, I learned a lot about life at a young age and feel so blessed to be a part of the Camp Sunshine community. There is no better feeling than making a sick child smile, and there are plenty of smiles to go around at Camp Sunshine. The staff are incredible and extremely dedicated. Every single person in that environment has a determination to help others, and it is a beautiful thing to witness. I've been many places, but Camp Sunshine remains my favorite place on this earth.

When I first heard about Camp Sunshine, I thought "this sounds too goo to be true." My family traveled from California and what we found waiting on the other end was more than I could ever have imagined. My daughter is a cancer survivor. We attended Retinoblastoma camp (eye cancer.) Seeing her interact with other kids who have or are traveling the same road as she was a life building experience. She realized that having only one eye doesn't mean she is any different than any other kids out there. The support and fun they provided to our whole family is something none of us will ever forget. We made lifetime friends with both the families who attended as well as with the camp itself. Definitely a 5 star week.

When my daughter and I decided to volunteer at Camp Sunshine the first time, we knew it was going to be an amazing experience. NEVER in our wildest dreams did we think it would be as incredible as it is. Camp Sunshine is in our hearts forever and has become one of the best parts of our lives.

What keeps me coming back to Camp Sunshine year after year? Could it be the small, yet wonderful, caring staff who treat everyone so warmly? Is it the families who entrust their most valuable possessions (their children) to me during the sessions, and stay in touch with me throughout the years? Is it the medical professionals who are on call 24-7? Is it the clean facilities? The various activities? The army of volunteers of all ages and from all over the country? The wonderful 3 meals a day? The evening entertainment? The wish boats? Or is it, that Camp Sunshine is the place where kids can be kids, and no one is "different"? It is all of these things, and so much more, and I am so fortunate to be a part of it.

Our son has a life threatening disease, Fanconi anemia. He has already lived through a bone marrow transplant and is highly susceptible to many cancers. Camp Sunshine is a place for families and patients to feel normal and deal with the trauma that horrific medical conditions can bring.

My family has been blessed to attend Camp Sunshine for multiple sessions. Camp Sunshine provides an
exciting experience for both children and adults. Parents can meet together for fun and discussion groups, while the best volunteers care for your children so both the kids and parents can have a true camp experience. My family has made life long friends that we stay in touch with all year long. They have become family that we always look forward to seeing every year.

Our youngest son has a brain tumor, so our life is very stressful. We went to Camp Sunshine on the recommendation of our hospital social worker. Are we glad we took advantage of his recommendation. There is no place else in the world like Camp Sunshine. Every member of our family has been blessed by our association with Camp Sunshine. My sons who do not have the brain tumor go there and for that week are free from worries. They connect with other kids with similar circumstances. The staff and volunteers love them and treat them like royalty. Our son with the brain tumor, has a one on one (who loves him like a brother), which allows my wife and I to connect with other parents. There are times of laughter and lightheartedness, time of tears and sorrow which all minister to our souls. We are better for meeting these courageous parents. I have never met such a caring staff and group of volunteers. They are friends for life.

Donations to Camp Sunshine are an investment that pay rich dividends.

Our family has been fortunate enough to attend Camp Sunshine since 2009 when our daughter Abby, who then was 3 years old, was diagnosed with leukemia. She also has Down syndrome and sometimes finding people that would accept her with not one but both diagnosis and just allow her to be a normal kid was hard to find. We were extremely blessed to find Camp Sunshine. The staff and all the wonderful volunteers there have made amazing memories with us. Abby (as well as her siblings and parents) LOVE going to camp. She gets so excited and refers to it as Hands Up (it's a song that is traditionally sung at camp). Our family is able to relax and just be. Our children are able to be focused on individually, which is common place for Abby but not so for her siblings which is unfortunate but a reality in our life. Her sister Elisabeth finally found a place that worries about her and her needs and she isn't "Abby's sister" she's Elisabeth, her own individual. The bonds and friendships we have made with other families as well as the volunteers has been indescribable. Several of our families have such a bond that we try to reunite there every year if possible. We cannot thank Camp Sunshine's staff, volunteers and the donors who all make it possible for families like ours to have a place that each member of our family feels comfortable at.

I have been blessed by Camp Sunshine in numerous ways. As a bereaved parent, I found Camp 3 years after losing my daughter to mitochondrial disease. I live in Maine and never knew there was a camp for families who had lost children to disease. Although we were very lucky to have support as my daughter got sicker, my 2 younger children found others like them who had experienced the loss of a sibling -- something quite unique.

In the past couple of years, I've been able to give back to Camp, by volunteering in numerous ways during the bereavement sessions. This is also important to me, as it gives me an opportunity to help others who may be newer in their grief journey.

Currently, my family and I are taking a break, as my children become older and can also volunteer! Thanks so much, Camp Sunshine!!
Theresa Gaetjens

Last summer I had the privilege of volunteering for one week at a Camp Sunshine brain tumor session. The camp is a delightful, happy, modern, clean and well-run facility. Staff and volunteers do everything they can to make the families attending feel relaxed, special and like they are on vacation. The families have time to bond as a family and they have separate child and adult time--it's a great balance. There are plenty of smiles and laughter and also a few tears. I'm looking forward to returning again this summer! Happy 30th Anniversary Camp Sunshine!!

Camp Sunshine is wonderful family experience! My daughter was diagnosed with ALL at age 10 and I meet and became a stronger parent/care giver at Camp Sunshine.

Camp Sunshine is truly the happiest and brightest place to be. I volunteered for the first time four years ago and it completely changed my life for the better. The highlight of my year is being able to volunteer, meet new families, reconnect with old and help allow these families experience a vacation they will never forget. At camp it isn't about the diseases that define the child but getting to know the child for who they truly are. The staff is amazing, the campus is breath taking and it truly is a home away from home. Volunteering at camp has brought me to my future career goals to become a child life specialist. I will continue to volunteer year after year! It is rewarding to be able to see the families and volunteers come together in remembering what life is all about. We come together to multiply our joy and happiness and divide our troubles. Camp Sunshine will always be my favorite place!

Camp Sunshine provided my family with amazing memories during an extremely stressful and upsetting time. It was the first time that our family felt like we were not alone. It was a great experience that always brings a smile to our faces.

We are the parents of three children; tweleve, ten and seven years old . On May 6th 2005 our lives were forever changed when our 18 month old (now ten years old), was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). On this journey we have certainly learned some valuable life lessons, and got a serious education in blood related cancers and the associated treatments. Through all our ups and downs, we can truly say that we’ve been blessed to meet quite a few wonderful people. One of our highlights has been our visits to Camp Sunshine, which continues to exceed our expectations.
The Staff of Camp Sunshine always prepares unforgettable experiences, from the games to the Group Sessions. Their meticulous planning, efforts and hard work is evident and truly appreciated. The entire Camp Sunshine facility is absolutely amazing! The Volunteers, who gave of themselves, their selflessness, support, love and open hearts could never be re-paid. They gave so much to us and to our children. The kitchen staff prepared absolutely delicious meals for us. Visiting Camp Sunshine afforded us the opportunity to meet people that we may have never met. It provided us with much needed parental group therapy, and the opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest, without worry, for a few days. It is our belief that we have made some bonds with Our Fellow Sunshine Parents and their families; whose warmth and kindness allowed us to share our story, as well as listen to theirs. There is amazing comfort and extra strength that comes from knowing that we are not alone on this journey. And as it continues, we trust that these bonds will last a lifetime.
These experiences could not have been possible without Camp Sunshine. The words “Thank You” almost do not seem to be enough to truly express our heartfelt gratitude for Camp Sunshine. Camp Sunshine is truly like nothing else!

Go Camp Sunshine!!!

Wow what to say about Camp Sunshine. Smiles, laughter, fun, friendship and oh so much more. I have been involved in non-profits before as a volunteer but never one quite as loving, caring, compassionate and dedicated as this camp is. From the relentless dedicated staff who make sure that families have everything they need from arrival to departure, to the thousands of volunteers that are attracted to the camp and what it stands for. And what it stands for to the many who come through the doors – HOPE. The bonding that takes place between the campers themselves, as well as the volunteers is simply amazing. No one is left behind, what I mean is that every family member is treated as royalty. They have so many activities (from sports, to arts and crafts, games, singing and dancing, just to name a few) for the different age groups, from the littlest camper to the biggest, each individual is special . Winter, spring, summer or fall the camps activity is on-going. Certainly anyone who has a child with a life-threatening illness whether near or far should come to camp, it will change your life, you will leave rejuvenated. If you are interested in volunteering this camp will also change your life, as it has mine, you will leave exhausted but the joy inside your heart is like nothing else, knowing that you have spent the week in such a hopeful, respectful and loving environment and you WILL want to do it again. It is and always will be an honor to volunteer for such an outstanding non-profit as Camp Sunshine is.

Life can be a challenge to children who are ill and have to deal with being different. The days we spend Camp Sunshine are the ones where I see my son Ian just be himself and so very happy. What can beat that.

First off, I am not just a client served...I am a donor and a future volunteer.

My son has an extremely rare disease. Camp Sunshine allows him to meet with other kids who deal with the same issues he does. It allows me to meet other parents to bond with and connect with so we can talk/chat/email/facebook in between our two year sessions with our hopes/fears/questions/experiences. Camp Sunshine is life changing. There is no way to truly put it in words. It makes more than a difference. It changes your world...though emotional as you talk through some of your emotions and find those emotions that have been buried for a long time. All this while your child is living a fun, safe and normal camp life. Siblings are well provided for as well. Please take a moment to look at their web site where you will see photos filled with love. The volunteers pour their love into each session. The employees are top notch and I could not say enough good about the on site counselor Nancy. If you paid her a million dollars a year, it wouldn't be enough. The sacrifice her family has made by working there is truly a Blessing for all of us.

I've been volunteering at Camp Sunshine for over 5 years and it's consistently the best weeks of my year. The Camp itself has great facilities and treats all their volunteers with utmost respect and kindness, even going out of the way to learn everyone's name when thousands of us pass through there every year.

The families I've met have all echoed the same sentiment - that camp sunshine is amazing. I can only speak from a volunteer point of view but I know that I have witnessed communities of support come together and help each other get through this difficult time in their lives.

Volunteering at camp has literally changed my life and I don't see a time in my life when I wouldn't make the trip there at least once a year.

I have told all of you before what an amazing impact Camp Sunshine has had on our family! Tacey has worldwide 'best' friends due to meeting them at Camp Sunshine. However, I wanted to share this with you so you have another testimonial of how Camp impacts others!

This is from Caitlyn Harkness who lives in New Jersey. She is the young lady we flew to Texas for Tacey's birthday.

"I am writing an essay for my language arts monthly writing and I really wanted to share it because it is dear to my heart......"The one person who has influenced me most in my life is My best friend Tacey Raulerson. Tacey was born with a rare cancer called Retinoblastoma which left her blind in both eyes. I met her through a camp for kids with cancer. My brother was also born with this rare form of eye cancer about 7 years ago. Just because she is blind doesn't mean that will stop her from doing anything she wants. Her ambitions are high and this has shown me that know matter what tries to stop you in life you can always find a way around it, and succeed. Even though she is blind she still can text, and she even uses her ipod without any help. She goes to regular school like you and me.
Tacey has really influenced me in my life because even though she is blind nothing will stop her from doing what she wants. You can say she is sorta hard headed, which I admire most because know one can tell her she can't, because she knows she always can. When we are at camp she does everything that any normal kid would, she goes out on the lake in a boat, she plays the game where we throw mini bean bags into a hole, and she plays volleyball which is our personal favorite. Some times I forget she is blind, which I guess to me means that she is so willing and strong enough to want to do everything we do,even though it might be challenging, its almost like she is like a super human. Her strength and views on the world makes me determine to be a better person and to view the world in a better way. Most people would be to scared to treat her as if though she isn't blind, but I have learned that if you treat a blind person as if though they are blind they will be upset verses if you don't treat them blind and you push them to do something out of there comfort zone they will be happy with the result. Her letting me guid her and letting me help her has inspired me because she trusts me enough to guid her and to help her do everything that I do and its a blessing from god to expose me to something like this. It taught me that everyone is the same know matter your disabilities, they are all people who desire to do everything we do and is willing to do what it takes to live a normal life.
I've never imagined my life having such an impact from one person who has accomplished so much in such little time. Tacey has influenced me in two ways; she taught me know matter how hard life gets, it always gets better in the end. Tacey was sick for the first 7 years of her life, always in the hospital going through chemo and more chemo. she somehow though, always kept a smile on her face and always saw the positive in life. Words really can't described how she impacted my life simply because it was is a life changing experience that not many can say they have experienced. Secondly she showed me that you can truly look over someones disabilities. Again its hard to explain in words of how you can truly look past someone who has a disability all I can say is that a person is a person and thats all I see them as. In the future I really hope our world is able to completely change in a way that I have, being able to treat everyone as just a person, viewing them on there personality, and not singling them out because they are different. The one person who has influenced me most in my life is my best friend Tacey Raulerson."

Tacey I love you! best friends for life!!!!"

Thank you AGAIN for everything all of you do to make Camp Sunshine such a magical place!!!

Prior to May 2006 we were a family that traveled often and wasn't afraid of adventure. Once my daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia our traveling came to a full stop. We were so afraid to leave the house because at any sign of a fever we had to rush her to the Emergency Room. Camp Sunshine brought to our family that sense of fun & adventure in a safe, clean, and fun environment. We have the best memories from Camp Sunshine. They provide families with a great program, support, an ER doctor 24 hours a day, excellent food, and daycare. Parents get to relax and participate as much or as little as they want. The kids have the best time without any reservations because of the carefully selected group of volunteers and staff. We have been to Camp Sunshine many times, and plan on attending in the near future. It is a family! Come and visit...

My children and I were literally saved by Camp Sunshine. With little family support, we drove from Michigan to Maine in 2006 with no idea what to expect. We have met the best friends we will ever have, the nicest volunteers and the most amazing staff possible. It changed our lives, made living with my daughters brain tumor doable and enabled us to do so many thing to empower her and the rest of our family. I thank God every day for Camp Sunshine!

“I Found HOPE at CAMP SUNSHINE”

I spent last weekend at CAMP SUNSHINE with my family. CAMP SUNSHINE is a place where my son Cole was able to enjoy his life before cancer and the harsh treatments he received stole his ability to run, swim, play, and laugh like all children should. CAMP SUNSHINE is run by volunteers; mostly young people in high school and college. I have such great memories of Cole and his brother and sister delighting in this wonderful place together, but it also hurts me to remember that this was one of the last places Cole was strong and healthy enough to enjoy pain-free. After Cole died I attended a bereavement weekend there with my family. It was only a few months after my son passed away and it was agonizing for me to be there without him, at that time I was nothing more than a ball of tightly wound anger. I forced my way through that weekend hiding behind a false smile for Cole’s twin brother Troy and big sister Tara. They love it at CAMP SUNSHINE so I did it for them, but inside I swore I would never go back. I thought it would always be too sorrowful for me to return.

Awhile back my family was selected to attend another bereavement gathering scheduled for last weekend and I had no intentions of appearing but after weeks of pleading from Tara and Troy I reluctantly agreed. I am so happy that I did because on the very first morning there I was presented with a great display of HOPE provided by two young volunteer counselors named MaryEllen and Kim. For those that don’t know me well I am not a morning person. It usually takes me an hour or so and at least two cups of strong coffee before my mind and body get going. However this morning as soon as we sat down for breakfast in the cafeteria MaryEllen and Kim joined us and I was immediately showered with their energy and passion to help increase funding, research, and awareness for childhood cancer. My heart was suddenly filled with HOPE; here were two young women who were intent on achieving everything we strive for to help put an end to the monster that is childhood cancer. Throughout the weekend I witnessed an equal display of enthusiasm from so many other young volunteers.

There is a theory thrown around that childhood cancer does not get the attention it needs to achieve greater funding because the subject is just too dark and uncomfortable to think about. MaryEllen, Kim, Andy, Jarryd, Adrienne and many more incredible young volunteers at CAMP SUNSHINE proved that is a weak excuse. They face the horror of childhood cancer head on with unbridled love, compassion, and enthusiasm that is truly inspirational. They were not forced into this battle like many of us; instead they have chosen to take part simply because it is the right thing to do. This gives me HOPE that the generation that will follow us will not hide behind excuses or give up when faced with obstacles in the battle against childhood cancer. To all the volunteers at CAMP SUNSHINE I just want to say thank you for all you do and for giving me HOPE that the future will be brighter because of you!


Tony Stoddard

Camp Sunshine is a truly amazing place. It is wonderful what a talented, dedicated staff and a bunch of enthusiastic, caring volunteers can accomplish for the families that are able to attend. It provides a magical experience for everyone who is involved and it gives each person the opportunity to give of themselves to another individual and have a real impact on the lives of others. I have served as a volunteer and am returning this weekend to volunteer again. I plan to return as often as I am able. It is a life changing experience.

I have now had the opportunity to volunteer at camp four times and will be returning this weekend to volunteer again. As a former client served I cannot even begin to describe how much of an impact this organization has had on my family and my life. When we attended as a family my brother and I, the "normal" siblings, were finally able to find others that we could relate with and really, really talk to. My brothers and I have established lifelong friendships from our time as campers. I began volunteering last year by myself and was able to share the volunteer experience with my mother and my husband this year; I honestly inform everyone about Camp Sunshine and encourage volunteering or supporting Camp in any way. It is impossible to put into words how much Camp means to me, but I can tell you that I am constantly using my earned vacation and personal days to VOLUNTEER, if that shows you how amazing volunteering for this organization is.

H'yall, I've been volunteering at Camp Sunshine since the late 1980's, and will continue as long as the car and the body make it up north, now that I am retired. Just love it. My short, but wonderful story: When I arrived at camp for a session this year, a small boy ran over to me with a huge smile and a big hug, laughing and saying "Jeanie, Jeanie, you're here again, and so am I." "Will you be with the 6-8 (year old) kids?" I answered "yes" and he pointed to himself, and said "that's still me." "Hurry up and come say hi to my Mom and Dad. They want to see you." "This is so really great," he said.

How can anyone beat that for a beginning of a Camp Sunshine session.... And this is what Camp Sunshine is all about. New families, returning families, and great volunteers and staff. All sharing a love for children and wanting to make it the very best experience for everyone.

I've volunteered at Camp Sunshine since 1997. To say its been a wonderful experience is an understatement. The staff is amazing in making each families experience such a special one. The volunteers are so selfless and giving. We bond into a family for each session. I fall in love with the children and parents each session I volunteer. I've met so many wonderful families and volunteers who have become very dear friends. Camp Sunshine is exceptional.

My family and I have been to Camp Sunshine twice. The camp and their volunteers and staff are wonderful, caring, sharing people. We go for Fanconi Anemia Family Meeting, held by Fanconi Anemia Research Foundation (FARF). FARF hosts this annually, where the kids (and few adults) with this serious disorder, and their siblings, get to frolic and interface with others in the same boat -- a rare chance to gain a sense of support and camaraderie. The parents also get this great opportunity, and FARF is a close, expert, and vital organization that presents a dozen seminars, bringing in experts in FA and BMT from around the world.

Camp Sunshine staff and volunteers take care of everything, so families can REALLY take a break! The first time at Camp was full of emotions for me. The kids said it was the best experience they'd ever had -- they had lived two years knowing only two families in the "same boat" as them (FA), and were blown away by the gathering of 70 FA families, with a chance to share common challenges and triumphs with folks who had no knowledge of the genetic disorder and associated conditions. I was still grappling with acceptance of the hand my daughter had been dealt, with the enormous learning I had before me to become my child's best advocate, and the information I gained through the expert seminars and personal meetings with them throughout the week was a bit overwhelming. I gained a lot of strength and hope, too, from being close with so many families and experiencing what they do to cope and persevere.

The second time at Camp was amazing, so much better. Friendships were forged, learning of the advances and best practices was easier and much enhanced, and seeing the dedication of the scientific and medical experts giving of themselves brought a lot of serenity and hope to me. Thank you, FARF, for the wonderful thing you do for our kids, and THANK YOU SO MUCH Camp Sunshine, for creating a place where we can come together, a place where hundreds of volunteers can give of themselves so freely -- can impart upon families happiness, a sense of caring, fun, and HOPE. Kelly Adams, Colorado.

As a volunteer I have never been treated so well. The staff appreciate the hard work that we do on behalf of the children and their families.
The camp is a happy place where kids can be kids, no matter what illness they are struggling with. Their families find others who know what they are going through.

I have been a volunteer Camp Sunshine since 1998. My time at Camp Sunshine has been among the best of my life.i've seen some amazing things there and met some wonderful people. The staff and the volunteers there are genuine ,caring people, and some have become some of my closest friends. I believe so much in the mission of Camp Sunshine that I can hardly wait to go each year. Volunteering there has enriched my life ,and I'm grateful to have found Camp Sunshine

In June 2012, our daughter was diagnosed with a low grade brain tumor. 6 weeks later, our family spent a week at Camp Sunshine. We met about 30 other families going through the same thing and many of them have become close friends. The support and love offered to the families by the staff and volunteers is unparalleled. We were blessed to be able to attend another week at Camp Sunshine this past summer and it felt like a family reunion. Having a week spent with people that truly understand the trials and tribulations of being a cancer family is such a reenergizing experience. Plus, to have a week of fun for the whole family is just amazing. :)

There is no place as helpful and as healing as Camp Sunshine. We'd be lost without it.

In May 2006 our daughter Olivia was diagnosed at the age of 7 with Osteosarcoma, a bone tumor in her knee. After a year of debilitating treatment and a leg salvage surgery which left her wearing a prosthetic in order to walk, our famliy was burnt out. I had spent the greater part of a year in the hospital with Olivia and my husband had spent his time working and taking care of our 3 year old Camille. We were ready for some family time and some fun. In June 2007 we went to Camp Sunshine where we were pampered, loved and rejuvinated. We have been back many many times since then, and always it is just what our family needs. Now that the kids are older, we are volunteering at Camp and are happy to share what camp has done for us with families that are still in need of the love and nuturing that Camp Sunshine offers. They are the best at what they do and they never stop trying to improve the facility, the programs and themselves. b.

My son and I have been blessed to have been able to attend Camp Sunshine for several years. I cannot express how wonderful it has been to have a place to meet with other families going through the same difficulties. The volunteers are terrific, and it is a pleasure to not have to worry about whether or not my child is getting adequate care when I am in adult sessions. He thinks Camp Sunshine is fantastic, and neither of us can wait to return each year.

After volunteering at Camp for 5 years I took up an internship position over the summer working behind the scenes, and all it did was make Camp sunshine even more magical for me. Every single person, and I emphasize that I mean EVERY person, involved with Camp Sunshine is nothing short of amazing. Camp Sunshine to me represents a different world, one that I wouldn't mind living in forever. From the families to the volunteers to the staff, there is a great sense of family and togetherness that for me, only exists in one small piece of land in Casco, ME. If every other organization is rated from 1-5 stars, Camp Sunshine gets a sixth.

My husband and I have volunteered at Camp Sunshine for the last 7 years and we look forward to our colunteer week each year. We love being able to provide a wonderful vacation for these families that otherwise might not take a vacation due to their child's illness. In all honesty, I think we get more out of the experience than the families do, we get to meet great friends, keep in touch with some wonderful families, watch children grow, and make people smile all while having fun ourselves. The Camp offers lots of activities for kids and adults alike, the staff is very hands on and involved, you can always find someone to assist you when needed, and the volunteers are attentive and top-notch. We have also given financially to Camp and have encouraged others to volunteer or donate as they could.

I have volunteered at Camp Sunshine for the last 13 years and each experience has been a gift to me. It is more that a week respite for the children and their families, it is like going back home. The camp staff, volunteers, and families stay connected and feel like a family. I heard parents remark that their children would rather come to camp than go to Disney World! It is a stellar organization that maximizes every dollar donated.

My son was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he is two. We're grateful that he is in remission but his treatment course was challenging and he is still dealing with side effects of his disease and treatment. Camp Sunshine is a sanctuary for our family and a place of healing and renewal. It has been instrumental for our older son, who was marginalized when everybody pays attention to his "miracle" little brother. We can't say enough about how amazing this place is and how well run it is. Colin, our patient, has had the biggest physical improvements after visiting camp. He's outgoing and social, but he truly blossoms when we are at camp and his disabilities are not unusual and all of the kids are embraced. His older brother, Aidan, is more quiet and cerebral and does not easily feel comfortable in places. However, he has found a place at camp and a constructive path to ward healing and belonging. As parents, we love feeling like we are part of a community where we can actively participate and share with other families.

My family and I had our first experience at Camp Sunshine in August 2012 when we attended the Annual Family Meeting put on each year by the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund. What I experienced was a wonderful staff and resort! I was very moved by the loving staff and volunteers, the excellent organization of events, and the feeling of welcome and inclusion I felt. It was a week of widely varying emotions for my family and me, meeting so many FA families. Parents attended a very comprehensive array of seminars and presentations, while the children were engaged by over 100 volunteers doing everything from golf to archery to a sleepout in the yurts. My son said it was the most awesome experience he ever had. I was so thankful for the professional staff -- their experience in facilitating meetings on tough topics, and their approachability and caring made all the difference in the world! Thank you so much, Camp Sunshine, for the difference you make in our families’ lives! Kelly Adams, Colorado Springs, Colorado

My son was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004. He was only 2.5 years old. It was overwhelmingly difficult time for the family. We were recent immigrants and couldn’t count on anyone for help us. Camp Sunshine gave us warmth, hope, and joy. It became our extended family. It was the place where were always welcomed and understood. It helped our children to heal emotionally and physically. I am so grateful for everything that Camp Sunshine and all volunteers have done for us!

It was in May 1988 that my 3 year old son was diagnosed with Leukemia. At the time, Camp Sunshine was a very small camp but it was a healing place for my family. My son is doing well and he became a physician himself. I and my husband never forgot Camp Sunshine and we volunteered several times. I watched how the old staff and the newer staff are dedicating their time and energy to make the camp an inviting, warm, informative place for so many people. May Camp Sunshine continue to be there for so many.

Camp Sunshine has been wonderful for the healing of our family. My daughter is a leukemia survivor she had a compromised immune system for a long time. We were not able to do things that most normal families could do. Camp Sunshine is a place for us to relax and enjoy ourselves and also connect with families who have gone through or are going through the same ordeal we are. The staff is amazing and the volunteers truly make Camp Sunshine a magical place. We love Camp Sunshine!

Camp Sunshine was an amazing place. The camp has allowed my daughter, who had a heart transplant, to feel at home where she was free to be herself with out explanation or feel like an outcast. Children don't get looked at oddly when on steroids or other drugs that change their appearance. Surgical scars aren't pointed out. Families don't get harassed when they can't attend an activity. No one has to explain anything. It's a break from being different, as a child and as a family. We are all in a club of families who have a child with chronic health issues. No one signed up for this, it's what we were dealt in life. Camp member parents do have the opportunity to share in parent group time. We can let our guard down, share our fears and realize we are not the only family feeling the same things. While we are sharing, our kids are boating, swimming, painting or doing skits with staff and great volunteers. Family time is balanced during talent shows, meals and special camp activities. Parents even get to date, as a dinner dance is put on for them, while the kids either camp out, share treats at a bon-fire or relax for movie night. The games they have the adults and kids play are ridiculously funny. Life is uplifting and so much fun at Camp Sunshine. New friends are made and the bonding is unlike any other experienced. I experienced heaven on earth while I was there as a parent. It brought my family closer. Both my daughter and son enjoyed their experience meeting others from all over the globe. Camp Sunshine is a home away from home with out all the additional life stressors.

Amazing!!! Camp Sunshine has been an amazing place for our family. We have made incredible connections and have memories to last us a lifetime. During a cancer journey every member of the family needs support in a different manner and Camp Sunshine provides just that. I recommend Camp to every family that has to travel this difficult journey.

Camp Sunshine is ONE OF A KIND!!! More than ever this world needs more places like Camp Sunshine to serve families! Their philosophy and commitment in "doing the right thing" and "paying it forward" far exceeds any other nonprofit out there!! THANK YOU CAMP SUNSHINE!!!

I have had the blessing to be able to volunteer for a number of different organizations throughout the years including Camp Sunshine, Habitat for Humanity, The Boston Food Pantry and even a few organizations in Zimbabwe. Camp Sunshine has far exceeded all of these organizations for professionalism and overall organization. That, coupled with the concept of serving not only the ill children but also catering to the entire family of the children makes Camp Sunshine a truly unique organization. The experiences and relationships my wife and I have enjoyed at camp will stay with us the rest of our lives. Every session at camp guarantees us another lifetime memory and we look forward to serving Camp Sunshine as long as we are able to. Camp Sunshine is truly an amazing organization that we are proud and honored to be involved with!

Camp Sunshine has provided our family with something no other place has been able to -- an environment where everyone understands what we're going through as a family, and where each and every family member received the understanding and support they need. We have attended two oncology sessions, and to have a teenager enthusiastically ask when we're going back and spending time together as a family is truly something special. Words cannot describe what this camp, and its wonderful volunteers have given us. Thank you, Camp Sunshine!

When we felt like the only family in the world faced with all of our daughter's medical issues, we were sent on a short get away to Camp Sunshine. It changed our world to meet others facing similarconditions and trying times. For a little while, we were able to feel "normal" again and relax while our daughter still received the care she needed. What a blessing for any family to receive!

I first started volunteering at Camp Sunshine seven years ago. To say that Camp Sunshine is the best place for families would be an understatement. Camp Sunshine IS the place to be for families going through difficult times due to illness. Camp gives families the opportunity to get away from the pain and worries for one week, and reunite as simply just a family. As a volunteer, I have met many familes and have kept in touch with so many of them as well. For me, I return every year because sometimes I need to be reminded of how good I have it and that children are going through things that I could never even imagine going through as an adult. The smiles, the laughter, the fun, the families, and the staff are what makes this the best place to be. This was truly a life-changing, humbling experience. I have learned so much from the kids. Unfortunately, due to illness in my family, I have not been able to go since last year, but it is where I will be this summer. Beth Gervais

There is no other place like Camp Sunshine. Our family traveled from CA to Maine to participate in the family camping program. My youngest son was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer, when he was an infant. We joined other families with Retinoblastoma at Camp Sunshine. The program was an amazing social opportunity for my son who was previously very cautious and fearful. He did activities at camp that I never thought he would venture out and try. It was an amazing family experience.

Our family first discovered Camp Sunshine back in 2007 when our daughter was battling leukemia. We came to camp ravaged by our experiences with cancer. But Camp Sunshine was/is and always will be a safe haven that provided us respite, offered support, restored our strength, gave us hope, and best of all brought joy and laughter back to our children.

Camp Sunshine is a very special place for our family. We adopted our daughter at age 2. She had had a liver transplant at age 6 months. When we first arrived at Camp Sunshine when she was 4 years old, we had never even met another family with a child with a transplant. The very first person that we met was a Volunteer with a kidney transplant who helped us with our bags and getting settled into our room. We learned more in the first half-hour at Camp Sunshine than we had in the previous 1.5 years! The encouragement that we received from Camp Sunshine Volunteers, Families and Staff has made all the difference in our family's well-being. Now that we are an "experienced" transplant family, we are able to be an encouragement to family newer to the transplant process. None of this would be possible without the generous support of Camp Sunshine Donors. We love Camp Sunshine!

-Holly

It is very hard to put into words what Camp Sunshine means to our family. Our family is lucky enough to attend the Bereavement Sessions at Camp Sunshine. From the moment our family walks through those 3 doors we are "home." It is a place that we have found such friendship and support. It is a place where each of our family members feel that they belong and that they are loved. One would think a place filled with people who have lost children would be the most depressing place on Earth, when in fact it is the complete opposite. It is a place where yes sometimes there is crying, but mostly laughing! Our children have so much FUN at Camp! They have so many activities that anyones interests are please. Our children would like to share a few of there personal favorites- Art and Crafts Room, the pool. rock climbing wall, the "Teen Room", and sleeping in a "Yurt". We also enjoy the opportunity to talk about our experience of going through the journey of cancer with our daughter and now they journey of our grief. It is the only place my children agree to sit and talk with a professional about what they are going through. This is because it is a place of fun first, and healing at the same time. We have a count down to each session that we are lucky enough to be able to attend, and we hope the Camp Sunshine remains a part of our lives forever.

I can never put into words how great Camp Sunshine is; not any words that do it justice at least. This place is amazing. Volunteering there has provided me with so many opportunities, and because of Camp Sunshine, I have been able to figure out a career path. Camp Sunshine has made me want to be an advocate for childhood cancer research and to hopefully be a PA for pediatric oncology some day. I would recommend volunteering here to anyone because it is an unbelievably rewarding experience. I have met some of the most amazing people here and have developed many lifelong friendships. The strength of the families is beyond inspiring and everyone should have the opportunity to experience the magic that Camp Sunshine brings to life.

I can't say enough about Camp Sunshine. This is a very well run family camp that just happens to specialize in helping kids and families with a life threatning illness. The greatest thing about our experiences at Camp Sunshime was that for that week our daughter was surrounded by friends that "get it" they understand how she feels and what she has to do each and every day and it has been wonderful for her to have met some lifelong friends that she can turn to when she needs it.

I was a camper at Camp Sunshine in 1990 and have been volunteering since 2004. It is truly a life changing place. They have given me a chance to take my own experiences and use what I have learned to help others. Families of children with chronic illnesses face so many challenges, and camp gives them time to spend time together without stress. Siblings are placed with children their own age and parents can have fun while also joining in support groups. I think that many families facing pediatric illnesses feel that they are alone but camp helps them to build relationships with people who are experiencing what they are. I love Camp Sunshine dearly, and really think that they deserve this recognition.

Camp Sunshine is an amazing and life changing experience. It is a safe haven for the entire family struggling with a child's life-threatening illness. The camp is a FUN place for all, but also a very supportive and "normal" place for the family. All the families that attend during the week share a similar yet very different story. They have this place to share their story, be heard, and most importantly, be understood. As a volunteer, it is so powerful to see how this camp leaves a such a feeling of hope and love in all who attend. It's a true transformation that takes place right before your eyes. This place is a tremendous blessing to all. It is a place you WANT to keep coming back to year after year.. so amazing.

There are no words for this place. That is how amazing it is. Me and my family have been there so many times and we love it every time and we keep wanting to come back. You meet other families there that have been through the same experience all while having fun. It is one my favorite places in the world and I always feel happy there no matter how many other things are going on. My brother loved it there and it has such an important place in our hearts. The work that is done there is life changing.

Camp Sunshine is one of the greatest places on earth. I started volunteering there in August 2010, and went back for 5 more sessions before June 2011 (when I moved out of the area). I have met life-long friends at Camp, and miss it every day! I can't wait to get back to volunteering there in the near future. If you ever need a place to donate time or money to - this is it!

My daughter, several students and I have been volunteering at Camp Sunshine each February for the past five years. It is the most loving, caring, place I have ever been. The staff is wonderful, the families inspirational. If Camp Sunshine was closer to home, there is no doubt that I would spend a lot more time there.

We found camp after our battle with cancer was over but just as our battle with life changing late affects from the chemo and radiation started. I can not adequately express what camp sunshine means to us as a whole family. for the siblings, the patient and the parents its a safe place to be who you are, receive support and be understood. I always leave with courage and hope to face another year. the volunteers are AH MAY ZING! the staff is selfless, the whole place is just a respite from the world. and a safe place to throw your hurts down, examine them and get help on how to heal.

Camp Sunshine offers our family a place to be with other families that truly understand what we are going through. There is so much love and support from other campers and volunteers. Our kids also have a place to be with other kids that know what it is to lose friends, struggle with disabilities, and look different. None of it matters at camp. Everyone is accepted and has the chance to perform on stage to show their talent and hear the cheers from the crowd. This is an amazing and magical place. We are so grateful for the opportunity to attend this place and make friends from across the country.

I found Camp Sunshine through my high school's Key Club. Groups of students from my school have gone and volunteered, and even as many of us graduate this year, I am sure that we will continue to come. Camp Sunshine very clearly makes a huge difference in the lives of everyone who comes there, whether as a volunteer or as a family member. It has a positive environment where everyone feels comfortable, welcome, included. People enjoy themselves, the kids feel special, and the adults connect with other people going through similar situations and have the pleasure of seeing their children having such an amazing time. Everyone benefits. This place is difficult to describe because it is absolutely so amazing. Coming to camp helps people just as much as any medicine would; it is an incredible experience. I donate to Camp Sunshine, and I really recommend supporting this program. It changes lives.

Currently my family volunteers at Camp Sunshine, but our first introduction to Camp was as a family with a sick child. Whether you are a family member being catered to by Camp Sunshine, or a volunteer, Camp Sunshie truly is a magical place. Where else can the entire family feel cared for in every way possible? Camp provides a full array of camp activities, three full meals a day, evening entertainment, time to talk with other parents of sick children with a supportive psychosocial director, and if all this was not enough, there is a doctor on-site to care for any medical needs that may arise! My children have fun every time they attend camp! The volunteers are amazing and the smiles on the campers' faces reflects the spirit of Camp!

It's very difficult to convey what Camp Sunshine means to me, because it's simply incomparable to anything else I've done in my short years. I began my Camp Sunshine journey at 17 years old. I am now 24 and can't imagine life without multiple yearly 3-hr drives to Camp. From the staff, who have remembered my name since 2006 even though I only go up a couple of times a year, to the families who accept and embrace my help and sentiments and hope, even though I can't truly know what it is they go through, there isn't one thing about Camp Sunshine that's left me unsatisfied. Volunteering at Camp grounds me - I leave grateful for my health, my family, my LIFE. I leave humbled and admittedly, often heartbroken that these wonderful, strong, selfless families suffer. But it is things like Camp Sunshine that ease their suffering, or at least that's what they tell us, and in that I can find solace knowing that I've helped in the slightest. But - it isn't about my satisfaction or solace, it's about the families, and Camp Sunshine is quite simply such a stellar place full of so many worthwhile humans you can't help but become overwhelmed with emotion. Explaining what makes this a "stellar" organization would take all day, but let me share this short anecdote: This November at a bereavement session, there was a balloon launch, which is an event for families and volunteers to remember siblings, children, friends and loved ones who have passed away. I didn't have to furiously struggle to hold back my tears, as I feared I would have to, because even though there were many tears falling, it was still a moment of celebration, albeit bittersweet celebration. As the graffiti-ed white balloons rose into the air above the lake, a toddler yelled to her sister to "Make sure you take a good look at it - I don't want you to miss any of my message." That's Camp Sunshine - it might be heart-wrenching, but you'll never be alone here and if you want to yell (or scream or cry) up to the sky, there will be a beach full of family supporting you always.

Last summer was our fiist time at Camp Sunshine. We came from Italy and we don't speack English very well but we found that all people try to trust with us and and it got cheerflull. We thank you all staff (physicians and volounteers) for all that have given and the opportunity to meet other family like us. Now we knows that there is a place where we can find helpful and safety. Domenico Bertolucci

Thinking of Camp Sunshine and what it means to my family is very emotional. This was our first excursion as a family after my daughters diagnosis with Leukemia and from the moment we arrived we know we were in the right place. We were so well cared for and made several return trips, each time leaving rested and better prepared to deal with the rigors of our cancer battle. The programs were so helpful to us all. Camp Sunshine carried us through three years of cancer and we will always be a Camp Sunshine family.

Camp Sunshine is a special place that really makes a difference in the lives of all who attends. My son has a rare disease and for a week at Camp Sunshine, he is with other kids and families that understand and love him. The volunteers and staff make a wonderful experience for kids and the parents mingle with each other and learn valuable information. My kids say it is the best place on earth. One of the best organizations there is.

I never seem to explain what Camp Sunshine means to my son and I properly. How do you explain such a place to someone who is not familiar with Camp Sunshine? For my son and I it has been a brick in our foundation as we deal with illness that most can simply not understand. When my son tears up as we drive away everytime, and a new countdown starts for the next time we will attend, you know how special Camp Sunshine is. Camp Sunshine is not #4, $5, or whatever it is ranked right now. It should be #1, and nothing less.

Camp Sunshine is exactly that - a bright, sunny, happy place to be! It starts with the counselors who are amazing with genuine heart and soul. The kids feel it and the parents cherish it. For my pre-teen to reluctantly come to Camp complaining all the way, just convinced he won't have a good time - to now - at almost 13 wondering why it's only once a year! Truly makes an impact on the children with life threatening diseases - making them feel 'normal' and having fun all at the same time!! Fantastic. GO CAMP SUNSHINE! :)

Last week we were blessed again with a trip to Camp Sunshine. The final night of camp is a special night where they have a Celebration Show, which includes a trip down to the lake to launch the kids’ Wish Boats. Wish Boats are made by the kids during the week. They all have a candle (at least one) on them. The candles are lit and the kids all push them out into the water. Everyone then has a chance to make a wish. It’s a powerful moment – probably mostly for the parents. Each boat is a unique reflection of the owner and his or her experience. The boats are personal creations. The ceremony is a great moment of quiet reflection and positive group thinking. I like to think that all those wishes will definitely come true!
Camp Sunshine is a magical place. There always seems to be one or more “Camp Sunshine Moments” during the week. This trip was not an exception. One of the first time campers, Aaron, is a 6 year old boy with Leukemia. He is still in treatment but has just recently lost his hair. Apparently it all fell out over the course of one or two days. He was very self-conscious about it and started wearing a baseball hat almost 24x7. His parents could not seem to get him over it no matter what they tried. So, that’s how he showed up to Camp Sunshine and that’s how he went to his group session on the first morning. That’s how he was at the end of the first day too and he went to group the next morning with his hat on. But when his parents picked him up for lunch on the second day, there he was, running around with no hat on!! His parents were shocked and did not know what to say. I don’t think I saw him wear a hat again for the entire rest of the week. Amazing change in attitude and feeling. Aaron was able to feel ‘normal’ again and was in a place where he didn’t feel different from everyone else. He was back to himself. For me, Aaron was healed just a little bit during his trip to Camp Sunshine. And to see healing taking place right before your eyes –man, that hits you square in the forehead. Then it drills right into your mind and travels all the way down into your heart. It becomes part of you. It changes you. It changes you forever.
You would think that a group of cancer kids and cancer families all in one place for a week would be a bit of a downer. Sometimes it is. You look around and see how many people are there (so many!). You look at all the names of families that have been there before you (too many!). Little bald heads running around. Wheelchairs, artificial legs, medical tubes. But I gotta tell you, being surrounded by these kids is more uplifting than you can imagine. Look further and you see other things. Kids running around laughing and playing. Those little bald heads have smiles on them! Kids with no hats on anymore! Counselors giving piggy back rides. Support, love, and caring is all around. People hugging. Everyone helping everyone. Small moments of calm for a Mom and Dad – sitting in the Adirondack chairs on the front porch. Look around and you realize that healing is taking place all around you.
Maybe the camp is named not for the sun up in the sky, but for all the sunshine bursting out of the hearts and smiles of the campers, the families, the volunteers, and the staff!

We started going to camp Sunshine to volunteer as a family in 2004 and have continued ever since, we wouldn't think of missing a year. our church group started the ball rolling with 5 volunteers and it's since grown to over 15 church members going...........every year someone else decides to go and keeps going. i really think this gave my daughter a direction in life She now knows the feeling of giving back and helping others. we have made some wonderful friends over the years and know we'll always want to continue.

Camp Sunshine is by far the most amazing place on earth. When I first volunteered at camp I left there with a whole new look on life. Camp Sunshine truly changed my life. It made me so appreciate for everything I have and I met the most amazing, strong, funny and appreciative people I have ever met. Camp Sunshine has become my favorite place in the world and each and every time I go I leave feeling rewarded and like I truly helped impact these families lives for the better. I honestly believe that everyone should volunteer at Camp Sunshine because I guarantee it would change their lives forever.

Started at Camp Sunshine when my 12 yr old daughter got Leukemia (2005). I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone but without it I would never have experience the enormous love & compasion we received from the staff & volunteers at Camp. The best cross-section of humanity that I've ever encountered. We loved it as a family. It had emotional healing for everyone not just my daughter. Kids bonded immediately with the others. Never, ever found a better environment for siblings of sick kids. They get left behind so much during the treatments, but not at Camp. Parent share advice. What has worked, what hasn't. You can't get that kind of feedback from doctors. Then when we returned, it was if no time had elapsed, we picked up right where we left off. They are family. Now returning as a volunteer. I love giving back to the place that helped us out so much. One my top ten places on earth. Truly life-changing. Go Camp Sunshine!

The first time I heard about Camp Sunshine, I knew it was a place where I wanted my family to volunteer. We started with my husband and I as volunteers, and my children as campers. After that first year, there was no doubt that we would be back every year we could. Now my whole family volunteers. It is a given that Camp Sunshine is part of our summer. My famiily is able to share a magical experience while building our seperate friendships among the volunteers and families attending camp. All of our lives have been changed for the better because of camp. I have heard each of my kids comment. seerately, that there is no other place like Camp Sunshine and they can't imagine their lives without th e time we spend there. The work that is done at this camp is extraordinary. Children who feel they have no one who understands their illness call camp "HOME." Parents who carry the sadness and fear for their children can find commonalities and support from each and every person there. You see many unlikely friendships at camp. Why - because the people who run Camp Sunshine do an amazing job at giving support, respite and fun to each and every person.

I went to camp for the first time in September. Not knowing what to expect I arrived nervous and anxious, but after 10 minutes of being there I was embraced by other happy volunteers all wanting to get to know me. I had the most amazing tme at camp and I tell everyone I run into about my time there. I was fortunate to be with the 6 to 8 year olds who were more full of life and happy than any children I have ever met. I was able to connect with the kids and families ans share stories and memories with them. I cried when I had to say goodbye to my campers and other volunteers!!! They were also tears of joy because of the amazing time I had and it was the first time I had ever felt like I truly made a difference in the lives of others. What's even better is that I still keep in touch with the families and the volunteers and we are all going to try to go to the same session next year! Camp sunshine is truly an amazing and inspiring place.

The opportunity to be a repeat volunteer at Camp Sunshine is one of the best experiences I've ever had. Bonding with entire families is amazing. Bringing the whole family to camp provides the opportunity for each member to interact with others that are going through the same ordeal. It offers an atmosphere of fun and support. I am honored to have met some of the bravest people ever. The kids can be 'just kids' and the parents can laugh and enjoy a special family memory. I love Camp Sunshine and encourage anyone who has a week or a long-weekend opportunity to make their way up North, and arrange to volunteer.

We just attended Camp Sunshine for the first time this fall and it was an experience we will never forget. We were able to meet for the first time, other families who have the same rare condition as our son, which was priceless. The volunteers at Camp Sunshine are phenomenal. It was the first time since my son's illness that we were able to let him play like a normal child, knowing he would be taken care of while we spent time with doctors and in support groups. I recommend every family with a child that suffers from a life-threatening condition attend Camp Sunshine at least once. Though we can't wait to go back!

My family discovered Camp Sunshine in 2001 as a supportive, informative, nurturing community of families, in our case, with a child with kidney disease. We went as a family...free of charge thanks to a pool of generous donors...for six years and have now been volunteering for five years. Each week, throughout most of the year, a the camp hosts children and their families, with different life threatening diseases. I our case, we learned all about kidney disease and transplants, the various drugs and their side effects. This was not information from doctors, but families that were going through the daily grind of providing the best care that they were capable of providing. We heard to miracles, the failures, the trials that the children and families went through. The kids were in a supportive place where their scars and tubes and bodies puffed up by steriods were just another one of the kids at camp, free to enjoythe activities and make many new friends. No ne stared or laughed or asked stupid questions. This gave my daughter Lizzie and us, her family all kinds of information needed for Lizzie to choose a pilot drug study that did not use steroids or an imuno-surpresent drug that is toxic to kidneys post transplant. The camp staff is amazing and the 70 or so volunteers at each session provide care, support and friendship to each and every family. In our family we say that "there is no place like Camp Sunshine".

Camp Sunshine is hands down (or hands up) one of the most amazing places on earth. I've been volunteering as a camp counselor for Camp Sunshine for over 7 years. Typically, volunteer work is thought of as an act of giving, but it's hard to leave Camp without feeling you're always taking more than you've given. It has an amazing, small staff who somehow remember the names of hundreds of repeat volunteers and always walk the halls with a smile. From an on-site doctor to well-kept volunteer housing units and 3 meals a day --- there's little sacrifice to giving of your time here. For every ounce you give, you're given a pound in return. The magic of Camp comes from the children you interact with. The families who come to Camp are incredible. They are strong. They have perspective. They know how to live every minute. And they share all of that with you. Camp Sunshine makes every session special from small Winter sessions with camp fires, marshmallows, and ice skating to bustling Summer weeks of water activities, volleyball, and challenge course activities. Camp Sunshine changes lives - not just those of the families it serves, but of those who volunteer to help that mission. Get involved. You won't regret it.

The first time we went to Camp sunshine it was in 2005 when my younger son was being treated for Hodgkins Lymphoma. At that time we were devastated and the whole family needed a brake. We experienced such a warm, happy and supporting atmosphere. The next year we were fortunately invited again. It was at the end of that session that my oldest son who was 15 years old wanted to become a volunteer. So, the next year, my son, a friend and I became volunteers. The following year my husband also came with us and 3 years ago my younger son proudly became a volunteer. We love to help children and their families to enjoy their session, have a great time and forget their illnesses, the same way we were treated a while ago. We are so happy and proud to be part of the Camp Sunshine family. Camp Sunshine exceeds all our expectations of a great organization.

I have been blessed to volunteer at Camp Sunshine the past few years. Camp Sunshine is an amazing organization to work with. I love the fact that Camp Sunshine caters to the entire family, enabling them to be together while also enjoying activities based off of the children's age group. The program that Camp Sunshine runs is amazing and I plan to go back year after year, despite it being an 8 to 9 hour drive for me. The people at Camp Sunshine are compassionate and upbeat and the bond that one forms with the campers and families is astounding and cannot be found anywhere else that I have been. I have made lifelong friends at Camp Sunshine and my week spent at camp always manages to be the highlight of my summer.

I am Thankful to have had the opportunity to be a Camp Sunshine Volunteer over the past 12 years. It is such a special place like no other. It is truly a blessing to be able to volunteer at such a wonderful place. I have met some many wonderful Staff, Volunteers and Families over the years. If you have a chance to volunteer, it is a great experience and it will keep a special place in your heart forever! ♥

My youngest cousin went to Camp Sunshine years ago when she was receiving treatment for neuroblastoma. She and her family had a fabulous time. They always said how nice it was to get away and just experience the normalcy of camp activities and camp life. Camp Sunshine is a fantastic organization and the world is a little brighter because of them.

LHQ DanceForce Volunteers At Camp Sunshine


Students and staff of LHQ Danceforce rounded out their summer vacations by volunteering at Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine, August 26-30. Camp Sunshine supports children with life threatening illnesses and their families.

LHQ student Jenn Root is grateful for the opportunity to participate in such an amazing program. "To have had the privilege to work with these wonderful children was life changing. Thank you LHQ for making it possible."

LHQ staff Brenda Hadden and Connie Fink were equally touched by their experience. “Taking the LHQ Danceforce Students to Camp Sunshine this year was a new and exciting opportunity for us and them. It was so rewarding to see how much the students gave so much love and support to children and families they had just met. Each and every one gave their whole heart to each person they met and we know they will hold a special place in their hearts to the families at Camp Sunshine."

Returning home with life-lasting memories, student Hayley Burbank said, "Volunteering at Camp Sunshine was the most unique and life changing opportunity I've experienced.” Amanda Lafayette insists she’ll return to camp, commenting "being able to have that experience and create all those memories is the best feeling in the world. I look forward to volunteering every year."

Camp Sunshine has the distinction of being the only program in the nation whose mission is to address the impact of a life threatening illness on every member of the immediate family—the ill child, the parents, and the siblings. Since its inception, Camp Sunshine has provided a haven for over 30,000 individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

I began my Camp Sunshine journey at 17 years old. I am now 24 and can't imagine life without multiple yearly 3-hr drives to Camp. From the staffers who have remembered my name since 2006 even though I only go up a couple of times a year to the families who accept and embrace my help and sentiments and hope, even though I can't truly know what it is they go through, there isn't one thing about Camp Sunshine that's left me unsatisfied. Volunteering at Camp Sunshine grounds me - I leave grateful for my health, my family, my entire life. I leave humbled and admittedly, often heartbroken that these wonderful, strong, selfless families suffer. But it is things like Camp Sunshine that ease their suffering, or at least that's what they tell us, and in that I can find solace knowing that I've helped in the slightest. But - it isn't about my satisfaction or solace, it's about the families, and Camp Sunshine is quite simply such a stellar place full of so many worthwhile humans you can't help but become overwhelmed with emotion. Naming specifics of what makes this a "stellar" organization would take all day, but let me leave this short, inspiring anecdote: Last weekend at a bereavement session, there was a balloon launch, which is an event for families and volunteers to remember siblings, children, friends and loved ones who have passed away. I didn't have to furiously struggle to hold back my tears, as I feared I would have to, because even though there were many tears being shed, it was still a moment of celebration, albeit bittersweet celebration. As the graffiti-ed white balloons rose into the air above the lake, a toddler yelled to her sister to "Make sure you take a good look at it, I don't want you to miss any of my message." That's Camp Sunshine - it might be heart-wrenching, but you'll never be alone here and if you want to yell (or scream or cry) up to the sky, there will be a beach full of family supporting you always.

In 2005 our son was diagnosed with ALL and our Social Worker gave us a list of non-profit camps that could help us through this difficult time. At the time our son was only 18-months old and we loved the fact that Camp Sunshine was a family camp. In June 2006 we first visited Camp Sunshine. It truly is like no place else; the beauty of the campus, the organization of their programs and staff, and the overwhelming warm and caring volunteers. It felt like our home away from home. We have been blessed to return to Camp Sunshine every year thereafter and our children are often in tears when leaving. We have been blessed to meet many families like ours, and have made lifelong frendships with volunteers, staffers and other families. We call Camp Sunshine our home away from home; A place where we can be ourself, a place where we understand each other without any need to "explain" ourselves, a place where we can relax and enjoy and watch our children be children and not children-with-cancer. As a parent, my favorite part of being at Camp Sunshine is participating in the Parent Group discussions, where we truly understand each other, we can laugh, cry and know that we have each other to always count on, because we are all a family, all a part of the Camp Sunshine Family.

I have done a lot of volunteer work over the years and the experience at Camp Sunshine was absolutely wonderful. The parents who attended were SOOOO comfortable at Camp - comfortable that they are held, comfortable expressing themselves about their loss, comfortable that their children are well taken care of by the volunteer staff. Each one of these things is significant - and to have a place where all of these elments are present is truly a blessing. The children seem to really bond as a group and the bond with the volunteers seemed so natural. I feel honored to have been part of the volunteer staff at Camp Sunshine and look forward to my next experience there.

The first time I went to Camp Sunshine, I was scared. Scared that I couldn't handle it. Scared that I wouldn't like it and the kids wouldn't like me. Then I went to camp and the instant bond between counselor and teenager was beyond anything I could have imagined. You make life long friends among the other volunteers but mostly importantly with the families. Hearing their stories is amazing. By the end of a week, the whole camp is one big family and nothing can tear you apart. At the end of the week, teens, kids, and counselors alike cry because they've had such a special week and they don't want to go home and leave their friends and loved ones. Camp Sunshine is honestly one of the most amazing places I've ever been. The more times I go to camp, the more time I want to spend at camp and the more time I spend time figuring out how to fit more camp sessions into my schedule. I can't wait to go back in February!

Each night is themed so the kids have something to look forward to and there is a song that we all sing (and perform) to start the festivities. The camp provides activities for children of all ages, ensuring that no one will get bored. One thing I really liked about the camp was the support that was also provided for the adults. I was assigned as an adult counselor. The parents participated in silly games that made them all laugh and help them to momentarily forget about the illnesses that their children were fighting. Daily group counseling was also a part of the schedule and I think it really helped the parents to know that they were not alone. Daily meals were provided and volunteers sat along with the families allowing us all to create a bond, to get to know one another and just make new friends. I could really tell that the staff at Camp Sunshine were extremely passionate about their cause. They did not let you believe for a second that they did not want to be a part of this. The support that they provided to the parents, to the children, the attention to detail to the facility in ensuring that the children were safe and did not lack in anything that they might have needed was absolutely admirable. The environment bred support and love - I really can't wait to go back soon!

Our daughter was diagnosed with Lupus in May, 2011. It was a scary and stressful time. With Summer quickly approaching our daughter wanted to go to a camp where she could connect with other kids with Lupus. She was struggling with the disease and its effects on her body. We vacation in Maine every year. We were amazed to find a Lupus Family Camp in Maine that was being held the at the same time we were planning to be there. It was awesome! It was so supportive of the entire family! It was extremely informative and the relationships that we built with the other families were amazing. It is such a gift to out family! We are very grateful for Camp Sunshine!

In 2010, when considering a vacation from work in California, I knew that I did not want to go somewhere and lie around. I wanted to do something meaningful. Then I came across an article on volunteer vacations in a recent Budget Travel magazine, which profiled Camp Sunshine as one option. After reviewing the camp's website, I was inspired by how and what the Goulds had unselfishly provided for all those families, and I knew that I wanted to help. At Camp Sunshine, the synergy is about giving of our attention and love to those who are ill, the parents, the brothers and sisters, and those who have sadly passed. In whatever our interactions may be in our individual volunteer duties, the giving can be with focused listening, loving silence, a warm gaze, a caring touch, joyful and silly laughter, a knowing smile, and an understanding hug. At the end of each session the song, "That's What Friends Are For," is sung. You have to be present then to truly understand, as when you see the families' faces and feel their energy, their happiness, and the love emanating from everyone present, you know the specialness and magic of Camp Sunshine. I only wish there was one in the West Coast, as you would find me volunteering monthly, if time allowed, and/or if permanent employment with them was possible. I have volunteered three times and was not there for this November only because of a work issue. As I believe in the SPECIALNESS OF CAMP SUNSHINE AND THEIR MISSION AND SERVICES to all those families, I will be a lifer volunteer, returning annually. The families need and receive so much from Camp Sunshine. There is no other like it. As a volunteer, what I have received is invaluable, indescribable, and my heart has been touched. Coincidentally, that year two other California gals, having read of Camp Sunshine through the same magazine, were inspired and volunteered that same November!

In any dealings I've had with Camp Sunshine they have been most cooperative and extremely efficient with regards to letting me know that the donation I have made has been received. . What they are doing with children and their families cannot be measured in any other way but wonderful. This is an organization that deserves whatever you can do to support them.

Camp Sunshine provides a beautiful space and supportive opportunites for families impacted by illness and loss. I have worked with many families that sought refuge at Camp Sunshine and they had only wonderful words to describe their experiences. It was not until I went to Camp Sunshine that I was able to fully appreciate what uniquely special place it is.

I learned about Camp Sunshine from my son Alex. He is a student and University of New England in Maine (near Camp Sunshine). He was doing the Polar Plunge to raise funds for the camp and asked me to help his cause. Of course I obliged and soon came a thank you from the camp for my small donation. I was impressed as I have given some monies to different charities in the past and cannot remember getting such a nice note. In researching the camp I was amazed at the wonderful things that they are doing for families in need. As a leukemia survivor, I know what family means when it comes to overcoming adversity (both physically and mentally) and to be able to help support such a wonderful cause just makes you feel good! I think it is of utmost importance to let the rest of the world learn about Camp Sunshine and help support it in any way possible. No matter the monetary amount given they make you feel like you are part of their "family" and I cannot ask for more than that.

Camp Sunshine has been a tranformational experience every time I volunteer there. Being around children who are fighting for their lives and having the time of their lives at camp, reminds me that I have strength inside of me that can get me through anything. I have taken the memories of volunteering back with me into my daily life. Voluneering at camp has made me a better person and I look forward to going back again this year.

Not only am I a "client served" but I also volunteered at Camp Sunshine, and every year, I look forward to their "AJ's Polar Plunge." My brother had cancer from 1999 until his death in 2005. I remember the old trailers that provide memories for my first camp memories; they smelled bad and had some gnats outside, but it was a great place for my family to be a real family, not just the splintered group of people fighting to keep my brother alive that we were most of the time. I met the love of my life there on a teen bereavement retreat. The smiles I have seen from hundreds of families in my 4 visits there plus the the polar plunges make it much easier to remember my brother's situation fondly, as painful as it was. Camp Sunshine is a place where people go to ease their pains and heal their souls; those who run the camp do an amazing job at allowing this place to grow, and I couldn't be prouder to give them a high rating.

I am both a volunteer and a donor. Camp Sunshine is an amazing retreat for children with critical illnesses and their entire families. Families attend at no cost to them thanks to generous donations. The facilities are very well maintained and safe for all. The challenges these families face are tremendous and Camp Sunshine provides a welcome respite for them where they can be together, relax, and not think about day-to-day life. It is hard to put into words how amazing the Camp Sunshine experience is. JOY RISING is one of the best phrases I could use. Everywhere you look, everyone is smiling, everyone is happy, and everyone is enjoying time together in a beautiful spot. This is an incredibly special place and they manage their program, their facility, and their resources with great care.

Camp Sunshine is a VERY SPECIAL place!!! I have been a volunteer for 5 years and have LOVED every minute I was there!!!! It is definitely a "two way street"....volunteers get more than they give. I have met wonderful people...families and volunteers...who have touched my life in a million ways. My only regret...Camp Sunshine is a far drive for me!!!! I wish it was closer and I'd be there a lot more!!! Mary

My Family has been privileged to attend Camp Sunshine for 6 years. Camp Sunshine has provided my family with support, love, and a refuge for my children. We have been so lucky to have such an amazing organization reach out to us multiple times. Camp Sunshine has given my children a home away from home. My children would give up any opportunity to go to Camp Sunshine. We have all made amazing friends and bonds with other families that have gone through what we have gone through.

I started going to Camp Sunshine four years ago, when my daughter was diaganosed with Sle Lupus. Let me back track a little. My daughter was also diaganosed with Sickle Cell disease at age two, but I didn't know about Camp Sunshine until four years ago. She was always a shy person, but now because of Camp Sunshine she is now smiling and is now making new friends. She now anxiously awaits for summer so she can see her new family at Camp Sunshine. The staff and volunteers at Camp makes the six days unforgetable, exiciting, and enjoyable.As a parent I wish we could we could attend Camp Sunshine three time per year.

Our daughter was 3.5 years old when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Prior to having cancer, she was loving, outgoing, social, and love to travel and explore. Once she became sick her world and ours shrank down to hospital stays, doctor's visits, and staying at home. Our little bird was grounded. She was on active chemotherapy for 2.5 years and would need emergency transfusions often. We were too scared to go away for a vacation. We didn't have family close by. I also had a newborn at the time of diagnosis. We felt very alone and lost during this cancer journey. One day, we saw a brochure stapled to a wall in the hospital waiting room. It had a cheery yellow sun on it which attracted my eye and described a camp for the entire family! Not just for the ill child. Could this be the respite we desperately needed? It took me 6 months to finally apply and for us to be mentally ready to go. I couldn't believe what an amazing place Camp Sunshine is. We were welcomed with warmth and open hearts. We met so many other families who were going through the same journey. We were not alone anymore. Our daughter literally flew around the camp with counselors at her side exploring and playing like she hadn't had the chance to do for so long. Parents receive counseling and fun just like the kids and we met and made some amazing friends. Truly one beam of sunshine can banish the darkness. That beam is Camp Sunshine. Please help them help other children and their families.

I've been volunteering at Camp Sunshine now every summer since I was 16, and not a day goes by that I don't think of my time at Camp Sunshine. These families have struggled so much throughout the year that they can't wait till it is time to return to camp. They bond so closely with one another that their friends at camp become extensions of their family. I know that this is something these families could not live without. Camp Sunshine does more then give them a week's vacation. It provides them with a lifetime of support, and I love being a small role in that. I look at all these people who have been volunteering for over ten years, and I know that one day that will be me too.

I started coming to Camp Sunshine three years ago with my family. I can describe what a close knit family this is. It impressed me so much we started volunteering. We now live in Texas and fly back to Maine just for the chance to volunteer. Camp Sunshine is very important to my family as our Sebago Family will be there for the rest of our lives.

Camp Sunshine is a remarkable place of joy and happiness for families of very sick children. I have volunteered three times, and when I see what the experience means to the families, it makes feel so good to be able to be even a small part of it. Th ey all get to forget about the illness and just have fun in a beautiful setting.

My name is Ricard but everyone calls me Richi. I’m 7 years old. On November, 2011 my life changed. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor almost 5 cm. diameter found on my cerebellum. Medulloblastoma is one of the most aggressive pediatric malignancy tumors. Since the diagnosis my parents, sister, family, and friends have been fighting together with me to win the battle against this miserable disease. Kid´s cancer is devastating. I would like to be very grateful to all the people that it´s supporting me and my family on this difficult journey but specially many thanks to our “new family” from Camp Sunshine. Undoubtedly a slice of heaven on earth.

Camp Sunshine is a world renowned retreat for families who have those suffering from a life threatening illness. It is an innovative and paramount program. I was a volunteer during their Lupus week in 2009 living near by attending college as a nursing student. The incentive to participate in volunteering at Camp Sunshine was motivating; however, the experience was moving. I gained so much from the experience that are difficult to put into words. I will continue to volunteer for such an amazing organization for my years to come.

Camp Sunshine is a magical place where children and young adults with cancer come to spend time with their familys. ..........many would think that camp sunshine would be sad but I believe that it is a place where all are accpeted no explanations needed, familys are able to rejuvanate and fun is had by all ...................the caring love and healing that takes place at campsunshine really can not be explained but i can honestly say that you are not the same person who entered the door when it is time to go home!! Your heart is full and faith in mankind is restored!!

This year was our first trip to Camp Sunshine. The whole family had a great time! My youngest son is off-therapy after being treated for Leukemia. Although he had been eligible to attend other camps for kids with life-threatening illnesses, he has never gone, he didn't want to go by himself. Camp Sunshine is so special because it allows the entire family to attend. It was great to be around other families who have shared similar experiences. The volunteers were amazing, and there was so much to do the kids were never bored. They didn't even miss TV. Casco, Maine is beautiful and the camp facilities are great. I would highly recommend any family that has a child with a life-threatening illness make the trip to Casco. It will be an experience you will never forget.

We first attended Camp Sunshine in 1996 as a participating family with our 3-yr. old daughter who was a cancer patient. We had an incredible time with other families all going through similar challenges, and were blessed by the experience. We realized we were not alone in our emotions and fears. The kids have a wonderful time with the counselors while the parents have fun and time to relax also, something they normally don't get a chance to do with a very sick child. We were all taken care of by an amazing group of volunteers and staff. We have returned every year since then to volunteer as a family and to give back to others going through what we did. We feel so strongly about the value of this unique and very special place that we now run an annual fundraising event so many more families can experience the magic that happens at Camp Sunshine. We can not imagine our lives now without Camp Sunshine. Our volunteer time at Camp Sunshine is a highlight of our year. We have made life-long friends at Camp Sunshine. We have seen the program and facility grow over the last 17 years, and are very excited to see it continue to grow and serve many more families. We are honored to be associated with such an incredible organization.

Camp Sunshine is such a special place. It is a gift to families to step away from illness and connect with families who share the same struggles. The volunteers do an exceptional job at relieving stress and making families feel loved. Camp Sunshine deserves to be recognized for an exceptional nonprofit!

Camp Sunshine is an absolutely amazing place. I have volunteered for three years and can't wait to go back. They programming is superb, they are very organized, and when I volunteer I feel very useful.

My wife and I volunteered as counselors at Camp Sunshine for three consecutive years. During that time I had the wonderful opportunity to learn exactly how the Camp operated (caring, supportive, loving, efficient) and how the campers regarded their experience. To summarize it all - virtually every camper I interacted with during Lupus week regarded the experience as one of the best in their lives and started looking forward to their return to Camp the next year almost before they had left. They formed friendships, kept in close contact with each other, and gained invaluable knowledge about dealing with their illness in their family lives and in their social worlds. FABULOUS JOB CAMP SUNSHINE!!!!

I've volunteered at Camp Sunshine for four years now, and it is without a doubt one of the most loving, wonderful places I've ever been. As a camp that serves children fighting illness as well as their families, it is uniquely effective at supporting entire families. In my time, I saw parents finding support and understanding in each other, sick children being treated as normal, and healthy siblings receiving lots of attention that they may not get at home. I became particularly close with one family, especially their youngest, healthy son. Though we only spent a week together, we have remained in touch and I attended their sick son's funeral when he tragically passed last year. Camp Sunshine families were there to support this family in happy times and the worst time of all. I love the camp as a resource for those in need and as a fun, happy summer camp for those who are lucky enough to attend. I cannot recommend the camp more.

KAREN AND PETER MACKIEWICZ : My husband and I are both volunteers and parents of one of the earliest cancer patients ( in 1986) to have been blessed by Camp Sunshine. Way before their spectacular current facility was built Camp Sunshine facilitated the same special respite for us that could not be found anywhere else in the midst of chemotherapy. Our experience going back as volunteers was as moving and inspiring as ever. CAMP SUNSHINE MAKES A PRACTICAL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF FAMILIES FIGHTING CANCER.

Our child was diagnosed at age 7 weeks. For months my wife and I faced obstacles and fears, one after another, in isolation. Camp Sunshine gave us the oppostunity to meet other families who are going through the same experience that we are. It allowed us to meet with and hear from the top researchers and clinicians in this field. It facilitated our getting the information we need to look after our son. It provided us with a support network without which this journey may have been too hard to travel. It alleviated our fears, helped us face and meet our obstacles, and made us feel that we were not isolated, we were part of a caring community.Thank you.

Camp Sunshine's November bereavement session is the only place in the world that my family and I can be truly understood by being surrounded by other bereaved parents (and siblings) who have also experienced the loss of a child in the family. It's best described as "family away from family," "home away from home," and "Christmas away from December." We'd be lost without Camp Sunshine.

I first heard about Camp Sunshine through a friend from college. Myself and 3 friends took a long weekend to go to one of the first winter sessions that Camp had held. The only way I can think to describe my experience is absolutely life changing. Just walking onto campus you immediately feel welcome and like you've been going there for years. Then you get to meet the families. How these kids, siblings, and parents make it through day after day astounds me. I left Camp after that first weekend feeling so grateful, humbled, amazed, and inspired....and I have returned every chance I get since then. The people I have met, the bonds I have formed, the relationships I have made, and the memories I have, have made an incredible impact on my life and will stay with me forever. I feel so lucky to have been given the chance to experience the magic that is Camp Sunshine.

I have been a volunteer for 6 summers. There was a group of high school students from a school in Worcester, MA that showed remarkable maturity. It gave me great hope for the next generation. The Camp is an oasis of magic. From the three front doors of different sizes to the cooking crew to the different families that have been a part of Camp over the years, each year is breathtaking and incredibly life-changing. The campers and volunteers Ihave spent time with have been very resilient people. you would like to have them as part of your group of friends. There is a true sense of family at Camp, and that is another reason that Sunshine is so tremendous. Parents can relax and have fun without worrying about their ill child. The siblings can get attention they need. All can share and learn from each other.

We attended Camp Sunshine in July 2012. This was a life altering week for our family. Our children are 2 and 5 months at the time and spent most of the day in the nursery being cared for by volunteers that were caring, gentle and kind. We spent more of the day in seminars and classes learning about our daughter's rare condition. We never worried about the children. One night we had to meet with one of the doctor's that was lecturing at 9pm to discuss our daughter. As the children go to bed at 7pm we were faced with the dilemma of who was going to go to the meeting and who would stay behind. This was a very important meeting so we asked the staff if a volunteer wouldn't mind watching them for us. Five volunteers came as a group to watch the children. The kitchen staff was also very helpful. They cooked my picky 2 year old her pasta from home everyday for lunch and dinner and my 5 month old was still able to eat his homemade baby food as they kept it in their refrigerator.

How many ways can we, that are privileged enough to volunteer at Camp Sunshine, explain what the camp means? It is a chance to help others, yes. It is a chance to get out of our comfort zone and grow, yes. It is chance to meet many people we would never meet from all over the country, yes. But the most important part for me as a volunteer is being allowed to step into the world reluctantly occupied by cancer families. They let me help by accepting that I care, even if I can't really empathize for lack of walking in their shoes. Each time I apply to bring a group of teens from Harvard, MA or attend on my own I hold my breath hoping that there will be a spot for me. i don't care if I am weeding, shooting photos or handing out athletic equipment, I just want to be there. I am there to help and its my favorite place to be.

We first learned of Camp Sunshine when we were on vacation in Wisconsin. Our daughter was diagnosed with Stage IV Ewingsarcoma and we decided to take a vacation. We camped at a Jellystone park and saw a sign get posted about Camp Sunshine. We signed up right away. We learned later that this was the first time Camp Sunshine was branching out and Jellystone was going to host. We were signed up for a session right after my daughters Make-A-Wish trip. After spending the week at camp she told us that she enjoyed Camp Sunshine more than her Make-A-Wish trip. Wow what a statement! This place was amazing and did not only good for her but helped our whole family through this torturous road we were on. We were very lucky to be able to come back several times. Allowing her to reunite with these friends that she made that understood what she was going through and no one judged her or looked funny at the girl with no hair because for once she wasn't the only one in the room like that. We always wanted to get up to Maine to see the original Camp but unfortunately, we never made that trip with her. She passed away in 2009 and our family was devastated. We didn't know what to do or how to do it. We were so lost without her. Everyone told us that we should talk to someone but we felt that no one really would understand. Plus, we couldn't find any groups that really related to our children. No support groups for a child that lost a sibling. Then we thought of Camp sunshine and what a huge help they were to us before and knew if anyone would get us it would be the people there. So we signed up for a bereavement session in Maine. What a sense of healing we were given while at camp for the week. Granted we are not completely healed and probably never will be but every time we are able to get into a session at Camp Sunshine we know we will enjoy a little bit more healing. Not to mention the closeness that we feel to my daughter while we are there. Infact, we all become closer as a family while we are there and are able to bring some of that home. I honestly don't know where our family would be without Camp Sunshine. We pray that people will not need to go to Camp Sunshine because that puts them into a category or club that no one wants to belong to but we thank God for the fact that there is a place called Camp Sunshine that is there for those unfortunate families that need that. Hospitals can provide some of the physical healing that is needed but Camp Sunshine provides the emotional and psychological healing that is so desperately needed! We are so grateful for Camp Sunshine that I am sure all who attend feel the same!

We made it to Camp Sunshine 4 weeks after our daughter had brain surgery to remove a brain tumor. The staff and volunteers were beyond amazing and the facility was fantastic. We were able to spend 1 week not worrying about anything but spending time with each other and making bonds that will last a lifetime. We will be forever grateful for Camp Sunshine.

We started to go to Camp Sunshine many years ago for Renal Week, before the new facility. My daughter was diagnosed with renal dysplasia and polycystic kidney disease. It has been a very long road and with the help of Camp Sunshine the road has been easier. We have had the opportunity to watch the dedicatiion and hard work of so many bring this "best place ever" to what it is today. The staff are loving, caring and the hardest working people I've ever met and I'm humbled to know each one of them through these years. The volunteers are the absolute most giving, unselfish people that walk this earth and lifelong friendships have been developed with most. The "family" we have met and look forward to seeing in and out of camp is is a gift we cherish each and every day. A few years back a couple of mom's and myself wrote thes little jingle for one of the talent nights.....(to the tune of "Tiny Bubbles") CAMP SUNSHINE, IN CASCO, MAINE....MAKES US HAPPY, EVEN WHEN IT RAINS....MIKE'S A GOOD GUY, JEN AND BETH ARE GREAT TOO.....VOLUNTEERS...IT WOULDN'T WORK WITHOUT YOU.....BLOOPER GAMES, BRING OUR CHILDHOODS BACK, WITH A CHICKEN AND A HOOP AND A PAIR OF BOXERS FOR A HAT......CAMP SUNSHINE....IN CASCO, MAINE, YOU MAKE US HAPPY......YOU TAKE AWAY OUR PAIN. What else can be said? Camp Sunshine is the 'BEST PLACE EVER"

Clean, beautiful, loving, warm! This was our first trip to camp with the Shwachman Diamond Syndrome group. I think I cried and felt completely overwhelmed by LOVE and acceptance and a place to be safe and spoiled. Despite the heavy emotional load I felt, my son for probably the first time felt accepted and loved and had plenty to do. He was too exhausted every day to do all the fun night activities. The volunteers they have chosen are AMAZING PEOPLE! Kudos to you Camp Sunshine! You do a fabulous job for so many of us!