Meet Karl the Caterpillar:
Meet Karl. Karl is the official mascot of Camp Kesem, a college student-run summer camp that serves the special needs of children with a parent who has or has had cancer. Camp Kesem is a growing national movement, having grown since 2001 from a single camp to 41 active chapters in 24 states.
Camp Kesem UPenn’s mission is to provide a free fun-filled typical summer camp experience for the children of adult cancer patients while at the same time providing the special emotional support they need to cope with their parent’s illness or untimely death from cancer. Camp Kesem is a secular camp open to children ages 6-16 of all races, religions, backgrounds and financial statuses.
The impact of cancer touches everyone in a family, and for the children of cancer patients, it is always frightening. The joys of childhood are replaced with a new reality of cancer vocabulary, treatments and fears. This produces life-altering changes to their childhood development. Without support, these children withdraw from their childhood, lose their self-esteem, and meet increased social and academic roadblocks.
At Camp Kesem UPenn, children befriend peers facing similar issues and counselors who understand what they are going through. They rediscover the carefree fun and joy of childhood; rebuild their confidence and gain the tools and strength to deal with their parent’s illness or death from cancer. At the same time, our dedicated team of college student leaders gains valuable real world leadership skills as we create, manage, fundraise, and run every aspect of Camp Kesem UPenn for the community.
Camp Kesem UPenn’s mission is to provide a free fun-filled typical summer camp experience for the children of adult cancer patients while at the same time providing the special emotional support they need to cope with their parent’s illness or untimely death from cancer. Camp Kesem is a secular camp open to children ages 6-16 of all races, religions, backgrounds and financial statuses.
The impact of cancer touches everyone in a family, and for the children of cancer patients, it is always frightening. The joys of childhood are replaced with a new reality of cancer vocabulary, treatments and fears. This produces life-altering changes to their childhood development. Without support, these children withdraw from their childhood, lose their self-esteem, and meet increased social and academic roadblocks.
At Camp Kesem UPenn, children befriend peers facing similar issues and counselors who understand what they are going through. They rediscover the carefree fun and joy of childhood; rebuild their confidence and gain the tools and strength to deal with their parent’s illness or death from cancer. At the same time, our dedicated team of college student leaders gains valuable real world leadership skills as we create, manage, fundraise, and run every aspect of Camp Kesem UPenn for the community.
Our Impact:
Nearly 3 million children live with a parent who has cancer, and many more children have lost a parent to cancer.
This summer, Camp Kesem will provide life-changing summer camp experiences for over 2,000 children by empowering over 1,500 college student leaders at 41 college chapters across the country.
Since CK started in 2000, we have shared life-changing “magic” with over 6,300 children.. and provided unparalleled leadership opportunities for over 3,800 college student leaders
Over 85% of parents (who respond to our surveys) reported a significant impact on their child’s self-esteem, coping, confidence and network of support
Over 98% of parents (who respond to our surveys) indicate they intend to send their child back to Camp Kesem again
Over 80% of our student leaders report that Camp Kesem has helped them develop significant team-building, organizational, decision-making, communication, problem solving, and fundraising skills.
This summer, Camp Kesem will provide life-changing summer camp experiences for over 2,000 children by empowering over 1,500 college student leaders at 41 college chapters across the country.
Since CK started in 2000, we have shared life-changing “magic” with over 6,300 children.. and provided unparalleled leadership opportunities for over 3,800 college student leaders
Over 85% of parents (who respond to our surveys) reported a significant impact on their child’s self-esteem, coping, confidence and network of support
Over 98% of parents (who respond to our surveys) indicate they intend to send their child back to Camp Kesem again
Over 80% of our student leaders report that Camp Kesem has helped them develop significant team-building, organizational, decision-making, communication, problem solving, and fundraising skills.
Video from Camp Kesem UPenn 2012:
Learn More
For information about Camp Kesem nationally: click here.
For information about Camp Kesem at the University of Pennsylvania, visit our webpage.
For information about Camp Kesem at the University of Pennsylvania, visit our webpage.