An Insider's Look at Camp Can-Do

For most children a day at camp is taken for granted. For children who have experienced cancer, it is a cherished gift. Provided free of charge by the American Cancer Society, Camp Can-Do is a week-long camp for children who have or had cancer.

It's about letting a kid be a kid. Camp Can-Do gives young cancer patients a break from the hospital, and places them in an atmosphere that promotes comfort and self-confidence, while being surrounded by others who have had similar experiences. Campers swim, hike, canoe, play games, and much more. Gretna Glen Camp in Mt. Gretna served as host site for this year's Camp Can-Do.

During the two, week-long sessions, nearly 100 children, ages 8 to 17, who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer or are within five years of their last treatment, attended camp. Supervising the campers were volunteer counselors from all walks of life, from lawyers to social workers to nurses, who are trained to meet the physical and emotional needs of the campers. Camper to counselor ratio is 2:1.

Camp Can-Do was developed to give these special kids the opportunity to be in a safe setting where they can act like "normal" kids. Where they did just that... from rope climbing to Prom Night to a day at Hershey Park...these kids made it a time of joy and laughter.

For more information on Camp programs, see the Camp Can-Do Fact Sheet