Summer Camps Help Kids Affected By Cancer

“I have had some unforgettable experiences at camp… during those weekends the people did not just become friends, they became part of my family. I would personally like to thank everyone who helps run this amazing camp. It changes lives!”   –   Kim (a former camper and future counselor)

Summer is just around the corner and while both kids and parents anxiously await a much-needed vacation, there are a few others who need something more… a break from the heart-wrenching challenges they face every day as a result of a family member who is battling, or who may have lost the battle, with cancer.

Angel On My Shoulder is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that has established a number of cost-free camps in Wisconsin, both summer and year-round, that were designed to address the needs of young people whose lives have been affected by cancer through the illness or passing of a close family member (parent, sibling, or  grandparent).

Angel On My Shoulder weekend camps are funded through donations so that everyone who wants to attend may do so. They provide kids with an opportunity to meet others like themselves in a well-supervised atmosphere of understanding.

“When a family is affected by cancer, the focus has to be on the patient. Too often though there are children who are also experiencing loss or confusion,” said Lolly Rose, founder of Angel On My Shoulder. “That’s where Angel On My Shoulder comes in. We’re helping these kids feel good and have fun with others they can relate to; to see their faces light up again is an amazing feeling.”

New Campers get ready for a weekend of fun at Camp Angel

Angel On My Shoulder offers five different weekend camps for kids who have a close family member who is battling cancer:

• Camp Angel is for kids ages 7-12
• Camp Teen Angel is for teens ages 13-15
• Camp Angel Adventures is for older teens ages 16-18
• Camp Angel Adventures Extreme is for 16-18 year olds who want to experience more extreme activities
• Camp Hozhoni is a family camp for families with a child 18 or younger who has cancer

The purpose of the camps is to give kids the chance to meet other kids who are in the same situation and give them the opportunity to participate in activities tailored to their age group that will provide many happy memories.

Summer camps include swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Winter camps feature snowshoeing, ice fishing, dog-sledding, and sleigh rides.

Darci Sullivan (far right) enjoys a wet and wild ride at Angel Adventures

Angel On My Shoulder also sponsors two retreats for adults:  Angel Care and Healing Angels. Angel Care is for Cancer Caregivers and was created with the express purpose of giving cancer caregivers a respite from the often times grueling work of caring for a loved one with cancer. The retreats are held several times a year and provide activities such as yoga and discussion sessions to help these selfless individuals give back to themselves. Healing Angels is for cancer survivors who are in remission. The intent is to provide them with a weekend of mental, physical, and spiritual healing that will contribute to their growing sense of well-being.

Sharing sessions provide comfort to caregivers at Angel Care retreats

“I am constantly inspired by the people I meet through Angel On My Shoulder, from donors and volunteers to those families whose lives we touch,” added Rose. “This community is quick to lend a hand and help one another and our organization is very thankful for that.”

To lean more about Angel On My Shoulder watch the video below or check out these links: programs, camps, and volunteering. My family frequently vacations in St. Germain, WI, and it’s a beautiful place—perfect for a getaway camp like this. Check out the upcoming dates for this summer!

This is a sponsored blog; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by Angel On My Shoulder to review this product.