Sunrise Day Camps Association Inc

Programs: See schedule o for description of program. Often isolated from the normal activities of childhood, children with cancer rarely have a chance to see beyond the closed worlds of home, hospital and doctors' offices. Sunrise day camps changes that by opening the door to a new world, making it possible for children to enjoy a summer filled with exciting daily activities, enduring friendships and laughter, while paying careful attention to their special medical and emotional needs. Sunrise also operates year-round programs, which brings camp-like activities to children both in and out of the hospitals through their sunrise on wheels and sunrise fundays programs. Sunrise day camps are open to children ages 3-18 who are in active or follow up treatment for cancer, including a special, modified program for preschoolers as well as older teens. The camp is open on a non-sectarian basis to all children who are coping with any type of cancer at any stage, provided their doctor clears them to participate. Siblings who often feel isolated since much of their parents' time needs to be devoted to the ill child, have the opportunity to play and interact as other brothers and sisters do at sunrise. They are free to be with friends in a very normal fun way while escaping the constant worry often found in a home with a chronically ill child. It also helps them better understand and deal with their sibling's illness and their own feelings. While the physical and mental effects of cancer are hard to ignore, the financial impact on the family is often overlooked. It is common for one parent to stop working to manage their child's disease, hospital stays, doctors' appointments and chemotherapy. Having one less source of income, combined with endless medical bills, takes a devastating toll on the family's financial health. This is even more destructive where the family is a single parent family or has no or inadequate health insurance. That is why all sunrise programs are free of charge and made possible through the generosity of our donors. Each of sunrise day camps' beautiful locations is unique onto itself, boasting lush woods, grassy hills, open meadows and water-play.