The Child, The Family, The Challenge
s
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www.campsunshine.org
retreat@pivot.net
campsunshine@campsunshine.org
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History
Founded in 1984 at Point Sebago resort nestled in the tranquil natural beauty of
South Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine was the inspiration ofresort owners Larry and Alma
Gould. Dr. Gould, having a Ph.D. in physics from MIT ·and a Fortune 500 chief executive
officer, now director and treasurer ofCamp Sunshine, donated the facilities and the person­nel
ofhis resort for the Camp's operation each year. The Gould's have donated over $1.2
million to date and have donated 15 acres of their property, which had been cleared by the
Maine National Guard, for construction of a permanent, year-round facility for Camp Sun­shine.
During the past sixteen years, Camp Sunshine has come to provide fouI to six weekly
camps in June and September to families with a child diagnosed with diseases such as cancer,
juvenile diabetes, cystic fibrosis, Fanconi Anemia, solid organ transplant and kidney disease.
All ofa family's needs are met during their visit at the camp including accommodations and
meals, medical and psychosocial services and recreational facilities.
Camp Sunshine's approach contends that the health ofa family is contingent upon the
fulfillment ofphysical, emotional and social needs. The camp provides medical facilities and
professional staffto address the often taxing physical needs ofchildren with such intrusive
diseases. Counseling sessions and open group discussions are tailored for the needs ofthese
families. These sessions may be the first opportunity the family members have had to share
their fears and frustrations with others who can genuinely identifY with the same experiences.
The sessions provide a forum where family members can learn from each other and identify
more effective means for dealing with the special issues that challenge their families daily.
Recreational hours allow children to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures ofchildhood, while
their parents find quiet moments to walk by the lake and reaffinn their support for one an­other.
In addition, games and events are designed to foster family involvement, encouraging
families to laugh and playas a unit. (Attachment I) This approach builds a new foundation
the family can take with them when the camp is over to unite them during the darker times
they face.
The Camp Sunshine Challenge
Camp Sunshine realizes that not only are
the effects of diseases traumatic to the child, but
devastating and destructive to the parents, the
siblings, and the bonds between them all.
Without respite to mend these bonds, the child
loses vital support to confront the illness, and the
family risks dissolution in the face ofthis crisis.
Camp Sunshine seeks to buttress the well, being of the whole family by giving them
sanctuary from the daily rigors, providing counseling for the individual needs of all family
members, surrounding the family with a network of others who can identify with their
experiences and once again allow them to smile, to laugh and enjoy one another. Camp
Sunshine's unique mission reaches very young children, siblings and parents whose needs
otherwise fall through the cracks. At Camp Sunshine, these families find the respite and
release they crave.
This mission has been a broad and successful one funded and shaped for sixteen
years by a small band ofquiet volunteers and one family's diligence to give something back
to humanity, along with some corporate foundation friends. (Attachment TI) Camp
Sunshine is unique in this country since it is the only program focused on the sick child and
their family. Serving more than 160 families referred from 40 national medical facilities
during 1999, the camp has come a long way in contrast to only 40 families from six
hospitals during the pilot 1984 one week camp. Families now travel from 26 states as far as
California and Oregon to participate in the camp. In order to meet the growing demand,
Camp Sunshine is in need of a permanent, year-round facility to significantly reduce the
necessity of turning families away due to inadequate space or limited scheduling.
Current Status
Facilities and Staffing
Camp Sunshine volunteers, staffand participants are housed in recreational vehicles
supported by Point Sebago on the resort property. The predominately volunteer staffof
approximately 80 individuals per week provide food service, child care, marina, counseling,
recreation leadership and individual physical assistance. A staffphysician, psychologist and
social worker are provided onsite through Camp Sunshine funding. Maine Medical Center is
a short distance away and provides any emergency medical treatment and specialist support
needed.
Fostering normal growth, in addition to developing and maintaining good family
functioning, is a critical and fundamental goal in the treatment ofpediatric patients. The staff
helps parents learn effective therapies useful at home to communicate with their children and
ways to be advocates for them at the local hospital. Parents are also enlightened about the
special traumas the physically well children in the family are experiencing as a result ofthe
medical crisis. With a program focused on the family, Camp Sunshine's professionals and
volunteers are providing supportive experience aimed at healing the wounds ofthese
families.
FundinglFamily Sponsorship
Families are sponsored to participate in the camp by individual and corporate donors.
The sponsorship for one family to participate in the week-long program is $1,500. Camp
Sunshine initiated a Family Sponsorship Program whereby individuals, groups, corporations
and foundations are being asked to sponsor a family or families from their geographic area.
If they do not know offamilies with a critically ill child, we will use our relationships with
medical clinics in their area to identify families who desperately need this help: Each family
sponsorship enables a family to spend their week at Camp Sunshine free ofcharge. The
Family Sponsorship Program is an important component in Camp Sunshine's annual
operating budget.
The Campaign Challenge
Proposed Construction of Permanent Structure
The facility expansion and construction would provide a pennanent, year-round
structure in place ofthe limited use ofPoint Sebago, allowing the camp to accept the grow­ing
number ofreferred families. The building project includes a family activity center with a
dining room capacity of275 people, a large activity pavilion and stage, teen center, adult
conference center, arts and crafts area, nursery and tot center, indoor swimming pool, clinic
and administrative offices. The family living center includes 40 suites, designed to house up
to a family ofsix. Sixty volunteers will be accomodated in the volunteer living center. Facil­ities
near the beach include a large gazebo, bathhouse and marina.
Camp Sunshine provides a tremendous service to families in need. However, we will
not be able to reach our full potential without assistance. (Attachment III) First, ifwe are to
realize the dream of opening a permanent facility, we must raise an additional $2.2 million
(the construction ofthe facility is 65% complete). In June of 1999, a $1 million challenge
grant has been given which will match each donation of$10,000 or more. Once the perma­nent
facility is opened, the cost for annual budget will increase, generating a need to increase
family sponsorship donations.
Planned Expansion of Programming
Camp Sunshine's expansion program encompasses two primary initiatives: a broader
base ofprogramming and the construction ofa permanent facility.
The classification ofcandidates would expand to include children inflicted by an in­creased
number ofdiseases, including cancer, congenital heart disease, Fanconi Anemia, pe­diatric
hemophilia, kidney disease, juvenile diabetes, cystic fibrosis, solid organ transplants
and other chronic childhood diseases recommended by the referrfug medical centers.
Camp Sunshine has identified additional specific needs ofthese challenged families.
Proposed programs to address these needs include: bereavement programs, workshops for
extended family members, and medical workshops with professional updates on research,
treatment, financial issues and psychosocial therapy. Extended training programs for the vol­unteer
staffwould also enhance the effectiveness ofthe camp.
Increased Volunteerism and Staffing Needs
Once a permanent facility is available, Camp Sunshine will be in operation for a mini­mum
of five months each year. Approximately 60 volunteers are needed each week to serve
in the following areas: adult program, teen program, 9 to 12 year-old program, 6 to 8 year­old
program, 3 to 5 year-old program, 0 to 2 year-old nUrsery care, 1 on 1 volunteers for
children who need more intensive assistance, arts and crafts, marina services (including Red
Cross-certified life guards) and restaurant service.
Volunteer support during previous camps have been overwhelming. Camp Sunshine
has bt:en consistently blessed with a full staffofcaring, qualified volunteers from all walks of
life.
A peimanent facility will demand an additional one thousand volunteers each year.
Many ofthe current Camp Sunshine volunteers are members ofthe health care industry;
therefore, the contacts that Camp Sunshine establishes with local hospitals should yield a sig­nificant
number ofvolunteers. Additionally, corporate employees have a reputation for con­tributing
their time to worthwhile causes. A volunteer team of employees would not only
help Camp Sunshine, but also give the employees an opportunity to make a difference in the
lives ofthese families.
Sponsorship Funds/Corporate Contributions
The annual operating budget for Camp Sunshine is principally comprised ofcontribu­tions
from corporations and community organizations. Some corporations have contribu­tions
to Camp Sunshine as part oftheir annual budget, while others contribute sponsorship
funds that cover the cost offamilies from their community. (Attachment III)
Conclusion
Camp Sunshine is a retreat for the families ofcritically ill children. The week-long
camp offers a respite from the medical, financial and emotional problems that can destroy the
joys ofday-to-day living. Camp Sunshine offers the parents and siblings an opportunity to
gain some valuable coping skills as well as allows the ill child to re-experience, for that one
week, the joys ofchildhood. Currently, Camp Sunshine is able to serve only 200 families per
year and in recent years they have been forced to turn away almost half ofthe applicant fami­lies.
The Camp Sunshine vision is to find a way to offer their services to all families in need.
The Camp Sunshine goal is to have a permanent facility capable of serving over one
thousand families each year and to be a model for other regional camps throughout the
United States which can serve thousands more. Their hope is that in the future, families at
risk will all be offered an opportunity to attend Camp Sunshine.
The Volunteer Perspective
-Maribeth Mainville, Camp Sunshine Volunteer
When I volunteered for a Camp whose young campers have malignant tumors, cystic fibrosis,
leukemia and other horrifying diseases, I could only expect sadness. How quickly I learned this in
my first experiences there. I was paired with an eleven year old girl, Sarah, who had a malignant
brain tumor. In its last stages, her cancer limited the activities she could take part in, yet Camp
(Sunshine) and those who run it found a way to bring lots oflaughter to this little girl. Cruising
around the beach in a golf cart which she called our "Lamborghini," Sarah played.mini golf, met
with clowns, created works of art in the arts and crafts room and, most importantly, relaxed. Her
younger brother and sister ran wildly about, eager to be by the water and out ofthe eyes oftheir fa­ther.
They made friends with other children, both those like their sister and also those in the
shadow oftheir sick sibling. Camp (Sunshine) even catered to Sarah's father. There he finally
found the much needed time away from his daughter to finally be the weak one and cry with those
who really knew what he was going through, to come to tenns with the inevitable loss doctors told
of, and just as important, to forget for a moment the awful times he was living. It was an escape; it
was a time to laugh and carry on as my parents do, or as any others who have been blessed with
healthy children would. Camp (Sunshine), by no means, attempts to avoid the horror ofa sick
child. Its sole purpose is to recognize the stress, fatigue, and sadness families like Sarah's experi­ence,
and strive towatd a temporary relief.
When we imagine what it would be like to have a child with any life threatening disease, our initial
reaction is of overwhelming sadness and anger. We may imagine that such a calamity would domi­nate
our every waking thought. Yet, I think for those of us who have not experienced such a blow,
we fail to see how it effects every facet offamily life. It not only wears on the family emotionally,
but the exorbitant cost ofhealth care for the child often depletes the family financially. Vacations
are often a luxury ofthe past. Camp Sunshine wants to give that luxury back. While it may be only
a week, Camp (Sunshine) invites the family to spend an all-expense-paid vacation on Lake Sebago,
Maine.
For those ofyou whom I see or speak to frequently, Camp Sunshine and its significance to me are
well known, as stories ofthe children I have cared for and the families I have met make up much of
my conversations and letters. Over the past six years that I have been involved with Camp Sun­shine,
the permanent impact Camp (Sunshine) has had on me has been quite evident; it has given me
greater appreciation for my family and friends, as well as for the value ofmy health. It has influ­enced
me to enter the nursing field, with the intent to pursue pediatric oncology. It has altered my
life. The lessons taught by the young patients as they endure their battle with cancer, Fanconi Ane­mia,
and other life-threatening diseases exceed any I have learned in school or experienced in the
workplace. I love Camp (Sunshine) because I feel good about myself and the work I have done
with these families. More importantly, I love Camp Sunshine because ofthe happiness and rest it
brings to families who are not as lucky as mine. .
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TYPICAL CAMP SUNSHINE SCHEDULE
MONDAY
etc)
All Ages
Camps All
3-5
6~8'
9-12
Teens/Adults
6-8
9-12
3-5
Adults
Teens
Infant/2years
6-8
9-12
3-5
Parents
C.S.Families
with parents
6-8
3-5
6-8
9-12
All Ages
All Ages
All Ages
9-12
Teens
swimming, etc)
swimming,
Teens
3-5
6-8
9-12
3-5
6-8
9-12
Teens
Adults
Camps
Breakfast
Orientation/Assignment to Day
Tots Crafts
Kickball Game
Scooter Hockey Game
Super Puper Blooper Games
Arts & Crafts
9-12 Princess Cruise
Tot Game Time
Parents discussion group
Ping Pong Tourney
Children's Hayride
Scooter Races & Games
Arts & Crafts
Storytime
Pick up Tots from Tot Lot
Lunch
8 Years & younger rest period
9-12 & Teen Day Camps Resume
Family Cruise
Softball Game
Waterfront Activities
(canoes, kayaks, paddleboats,
Ladies Only Cruise
Mens Pool & Dart Activities
6-8 Re-Assigned to Day Camp
3-5 sign back into Tot Lot
Parachute Play
Waterfront Activities
(canoes, kayaks, paddleboats,
Prepare for Farewell show
Children's Hayride
Nerf Soccer Game
Floor Hockey Game
Prepare for Farewell Show
Prepare for Farewell Show
Prepare. for Farewell Show
Teen Social Cruise
Volleyball Game
Pick up children from Day
Pick up Tots from Tot Lot
Dinner
Masquerade/Costume Night
2:15-4:00
2:15-4:00
2:00-5:00
2:00-5:00
2:00
2:00
8:00-9:00
9:00
9:15
9:15
9 :15
9:30-10:30
10:00
10:00
10:30
10:30-Noon
11:00
11:00
11:00
11:00
11:30
12:00
12:00-1:15
1:00-2:00
1:15-5:00
1:00
1:15
1:15
2:15-3:45
2:30
3:00
3:00
3 :30
4:00
4:00
4:00
4:00
5:00
5:00
5:30-6:30
7:30
. Attachment II
CAMPAIGNDONORS
ADC Telecommunications
Allied Real Estate
AT&T
CableVision
Coca Cola
Control Devices Inc
Diversified Communications
GST Technologies
Hancock Lumber
Hannaford Brothers
Key Bank
Landice Treadmill
Lucent Technologies
Mercedes Benz
People's Heritage Bank
Philips Consumer Electronics
Sam's Club
Sanford Bernstein & Co., Inc
The Goddard Group
Universal Elevator
Walmart
FOUNDATIONS
Amelia Peabody Charitable Trust
Cable Charitable Foundation
Chase Manhattan Foundation
Childhood Leukemia Foundation
C & J Viner Family Foundation
C.R. Bard Foundation
E.M. Lynn Foundation
Frank Stanley Beveridge FD
GEICO Philanthropic Foundation
Irving A. Hansen Memorial Fund
Jennifer Harrison Memorial Fund
Katzenberger Foundation, Inc
. Kistler Tiffany Foundation
Libra Foundation
Maine Co·mmunity Foundation
Maine State Troopers Foundation
National Kidney Foundation
NY Mercantile Charitable Foundation
Pottruck/Scott Family Foundation
Ronald McDonald Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Sobel Family Fund, Inc
Tager Family Foundation
The Phoenix Foundation for Children
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ANNUAL REPORT 1998
Chairman's Report
1998 was a positive year for Camp Sunshine.
ContrIbutions to our operating fund and to our
building fund both exceeded 1997 levels, and the
generous response from all of our contributors has
enabled us to go forward with the construction of
the permanent home for our program. The
preliminary start of our capital campaign has
raised $675,000 in pledges. There was a growth
in family sponsorship and in cQrporate support.
Teleport Communications Group sponsored 25
families in 1998 and GST Telecom sent 17
families to camp.
Weare in the midst of a capital campaign to raise
$6,000,000 to establish a permanent year round
home for Camp Sunshine. The construction of the
family activity center that will serve as the
centerpiece of our new campus is well underway.
In February 1998, we began construction for our
family living centers, which will provide
accommodations for 40 families a week. We
received over $100,000 in donated goods and .
services last year. The Maine National Guard
built a bridge to connect the new facility with the
beach and we are building a walkway of bricks,
engraved with special memories. This sort of
volunteer effort has helped us make great strides
toward the completionof this project.
I want to thank all the volunteers who provided
food service, childcare, recreational leadership
and assistance with counseling during our camp
sessions. I invite you to visit Camp Sunshine to
see our evolving pennanent campus. Your
continued generous support of our building
program will help us realize our goals for this
worthwhile program.
Larry Gould, Chairman ofthe Board
Attachment III
Camp Sunshine Families in 1998
A record number of families benefited from
our program in 1998. Two hundred and
sixteen families attended Camp Sunshine
during five week-long sessions in 1998.
Forty-two families from all over the world
attended the Fanconi Anemia program in
.May.
Families from 1985 to 1998
AZ 14 MA 821 OK 14
CA 23 MD 6 OR !
CO 9 ME 408 PA I51
CT 175 MI I0 RI 61
DC 4 :NiN I TN 5
FL .40 MO 1 TX 11
GA 6 NC 5 VA 32
m ! NE 1 VT 34
1D .1 NH 119 WA 3
1L 10 NJ 305 WI .3
IN' IO NM 1 WY 1
KS 2 NY 377
KY 1 OH 15
Camp Sunshine 2000 Schedule
May 21-26 Diabetes
June 4-9 Cancer
Sept. 10-15 Lupus/Kidney/Cancer
Solid Organ Transplant
Sept. 24-29 Cancer
FUND-RAISING IN 1998
Major fund-raising events in 1998
The Goddard Group Golf Tournament
The Point Sebago Golf Tournament
Monte Carlo Weekend
The South Portland Lions Club Dance
The Annual Camp Sunshine Raffle
Lucent Technologies Inc.
Philips Broadband Networks, Inc.
New Jersey Harness Horsemen Golf Toumament
The Sunnies Program
Camp Sunshine Directors and Officers
,Camp Program
Support/Income
Contributions
Donated Goods & Services
Specia.l Events
Miscellaneous
Investment Income
Total Support/Income
Expenses
Camp Program Expenses
Gen. Admin. Expenses
Fund-raising Expenses
Total Expenses
338,500
119,012
155,781
14,084
42,497
669,874
449,571
60,723
29,676
539,970
Dr. La'Mence Gould
Dr. Joseph Fitzpatrick
Anna Gould
James H. Young, II
Kim Block
Steven Brickel
Bruce Chalmers
Nancy Cincotta
Andrew Eichenfield, MD
Joseph Pappalardo
Dennis Goddard
Barry Gorsun
Susan Greenwood
Matthew Hand, MD
Ralph Heckert
Michael Lyons
Donald Toms
Craig Wellman
David Frohnmayer, JD
U.S. Senator Susan Collins
Rosalyn Bernstein
Sumner Feinstein
Martin Grossman
Toby Hammond
Carol Hancock
Jerrold Olshan, MD
Robert KWltz
Diane James '
Robert Paffenroth
Treasurer
Chainnan
Director & President
Secretary/Clerk
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Honorary Director
Honorary Director
Director Emeritus
Board ofAdvisors
Board ofAdvisors
Board ofAdvisors
Board ofAdvisors
Board ofAdvisors
Board ofAdvisors
Board ofAdvisors
Board ofAdvisors
Net Support/Income
Capital Program
Support/Income
Capital Fund Income
Donated Goods & Services
Total Support/Income
Expenses
Construction Expenses
Miscellaneous
Total Expenses
Net Support/Income
Balance Sheet
Assets
Cash & Securities
Fixed Assets Less Depreciation
OtherlDeposits
Total Assets
Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Long Term Debt
Total Liabilities
Total Net Assets
139,904
375,088
48,596
423,684
203,050
16,468
219,518
204,166
1,070,291
1,748,475
5,801
2,824,567
66,960
15,000
81,960
2,824,567
1998 Financial Statement
Camp Sunshine at Sebago Lake, Inc.
Fiscal Year Ending October 31, 1998
July 18,1999 Preliminary Financial Plan PlanA
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Camp Sunshine Weeks 6 5 4 4 8 . 12 16
Income
Donations 34.7 106.2 110.7 120 160 170 230
Dntd Hoods/Sei vices 138.3 . 119.3 109 120
Sponsorships 138 223.5 200.3 240 480 720 920
Fundraising Income 139.8 143.6 135.6 150 160 170 200
Other 80.7 14.1 1.5 15 18 30 60
Total Operating Income 531.5 606.7 570.6 645 818 1090 1410
Program Expenses
Payroll 145 142 125.9 190 440 620. 790
Contract Labor 35.7 39.5 24.4 25
Food & Supplies 65.7 47.8 44.8 48 96 125 180
Electric/Propane 36 45 64
Rental for Families 165.9 134.3 106.5 120
Other Program Expenses 67.5 68.3 62.9 80 110 140 200
total Program Expenses 479.8 431.9 364.5 463 682 930 1234
Total G&A Expenses 40.2 27.4 33.8 40 80 100 120
Total Fundraising Expenses 20.2 29.6 25.6 40 40 48 52
Total Operating Expenses 540.2 488.9 423.9 543 802 1078 1406
Net Operating Income -8.7 117.8 146.7 102 16 12 4
Capital Fund Income 2000 SOO 200 200
Building Expenses 2100
Net Cash -100 500 200 . 200
Net C~sh at year end 400 300 800 1000 1200
Assumptio·ns
Starting in year 2000 Sponsorships are $1500 and every family is sponsored thereafter
Permanent Campus is in operation in year 2001
Attachment V
REFERRING TREATMENT CENTERS
ARIZONA
St. Joseph's Hospital
University Medical Center
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Children's National Medical Center
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
CAliFORNIA
Children's Hospital ofSan Diego
Kaiser Pennanente Medical Center
COLORADO
The Children's Hospital Association
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Children's Medical Center
Yale New Haven Hospital
FLORIDA
All Children's Hospital
Arnold Palmer Hospital for Women & Children
Jackson Memorial Medical Center
St Mary's Medical Center .
HAWAD
Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children
ILLINOIS
Children's Memorial Hospital
Pediatric Cancer Institute
MAINE
Central Maine Medical Center
Maine Center for Diabetes
Maine Children's Cancer Program
Maine Medical Center
MARYLAND
Johns Hopkins University
University ofMllJYland Medical Center
MASSACHUSETTS
Bay State Medical Center
Boston Children's Hospital
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Joslin Diabetes Center
Massachusetts General Hospital
New England Medical Center
MICHIGAN
Children's Hospital ofDetroit
Children's Hospital ofMichigan
St John's Hospital ofDetroit
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
NEW JERSEY
Hackensack Medical Center
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center.
NEW MEXICO
University ofNew Mexico
NEW YORK
Beth Israel Medical Center
Children's Hospital ofBuffillo
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute
Mount Sinai Hospital
North Shore University Hospital
OHIO
Children's Hospital ofCincinnati
Rainbow Baby Clinic
PENNSYLVANIA
Children's Hospital ofPhiladelphia
Hershey Medical Center
Geisinger Medical Center
TENNESSEE
Vanderbilt Medical
TEXAS
Children's Medical Center ofDallas
Children's Hospital ofDallas
Texas Children's HoSPital
VIRGINIA
Children's HospitaVKings Daughter
University ofVirginia Medical
WASHINGTON
Children's Hospital ofSeattle
WISCONSIN
Midelfort Clinic/Mayo Clinic
University ofWisconsin Hospital
~\
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June 10,1998
Dear Staff and Volunteers of Camp Sunshine,
I am writing to THMl< YOU for the wonderful time my family had at camp last week.
\Ve have had a difficult last few years and Camp Sunshine has been peace within the
storm.
Right from the beginning ofthe week, we felt so welcome. Our volunteer, Erika
Pappalardo, was very sweet and interested in getting t'? know the kids. She put them at
ea~e right away by asking them questions about their lives. It didn't take long for them to
open up and for my daughter Marissa to fall in love with her.
The schedule for the week couldn't have been better. Starting with Super Dooper
Blooper games allowed parents to bond with one another. Because of this, talk about
what our families have been through came much .easier because we had already become
friends! I can't say enough about the Parent Discussion Groups. Both Joe and Nancy are
such wonderful facilitators. They are both very knowledgeable in the way a serious illness
effects the whole family. Our discussions always flowed smoothly. "It was such a relief to
hear the other parents' discuss the same types of difficulties we had faced. In the general
population and '\-'lith friends and family, it is rare to be able to speak freely about our
child's illness because try as they might, "outsiders" do not always understand. People try
to change what we are saying, to make the situation lighter, to try to make us feel better.
At Camp Sunshine, we could discuss the realities of our family's situation without
judgment and without sugar-coating the issue. Being able to do so has reduced our stress
level significantly.
/1'-
lOur whole vieek at camp was filled with fun activities. We bonded more deeply as a
family because we had played together. The kids loved just being with other kids, with no
\ worries, no needle pokes, no looks from other kids who wondered why they were
\ "different". At camp, they were just kids and played, like life is supposed to be!
,--.
Both the staff and volunteers make Camp Sunshine all that it is! Not only is the program
wonderful in theory, it was clear that everyone working at camp did their absolute best to
make a great program reality! Every single person we had contact with acted with caring
and respect and showed a desire for our family to enjoy our stay.
I want to thank you from the bottom ofmy heart. The benefits my family has received
from our stay at Camp Sunshine stay with us throughout the year. I look forward to the
time when I become one ofyour wonderful volunteers. I want to do my part to help
Camp Sunshine to continue; the families NEED you.
Thanks so very much, , /j
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~~~
What I Think o(Camp Sunshine
AWESOME, WONDERFUL, FUN, EDUCATIONAL, EMOTIONAL, EYE
.OPENING, FULFILLING, ENCOURAGING...
These are some ofthe many thoughts that come to mind when I think ofmy
experience at Camp Sunshine.
Camp Sunshine is a retreat for critically ill children and their families. It offers a
respite that includes professional counseling, recreational opportunities and 24­hour
medical support. The focus is on alleviating the toll a critical illness takes not
only on the ill child, but also on- the other members ofthe family.
Each member ofmy family benefited fro~ our fITst Camp Sunshine experience in
May of 1999. Our four-year old son, John-Arthur, is a brittle juvenile diabetic.
We have been battling his numbers since his diagnosis three years ago. He has
adjusted well to shots, meals, tests, etc. He enjoyed Chippy's playhouse and the
hayrides. Camp Sunshine provided him with virtually unlimited opportunities to
expend his rarely exhausted energy and enthusiasm for life.
Our oldest son Eric-Guy, age 7, lacks the atteJ?tion he deserves, always taking a .
back seat to John's medical needs. He has had to mature much faster than others
his age, and at times we forget he too is still a child. What 'Camp Sunshine gave
him was a chance to be just Erik, not John's brother. He too played and laughed
and enjoyed himself immensely.
It is safe to say that our family is STRESSED OUT at times dealing with this
condition. It has placed added pressure on our marriage, strained our relationship,
and sometimes compromised our abilities as parents. Camp Sunshine helped us to
focus more clearly on our new life, and br~g many issues into proper prospective.
I appreciated this wonderful opportunity to-have fun together and leave the
cooking, cleaning, and normal daily stress behind for a week. I enjoyed meeting so
many other families who experience the same trials and tribulations. I was
beginning to think I would never talk with people whom I could rela~e, but this
week changed that.
Susan Harper
Oakdale, CT
(parent)
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• Robyn's Story .....
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
last words to me were "mommy I can't
see you anymore." I was whisked out
of the room and into a parent's lounge
where I waited thinking my daughter
had died.
Even though Robyn had·technically
tome OUt of her coma. she remained .
pretty unresponsive to us and unable to
feed herself or go to the bathroom on
her own. The only thing she was capa­ble
of doing was sucking!
. .. . ..... . ..
Robyn and her entire family were for­tunate
to be invited to a magical, loving
land -called Camp Sunshine. We at­tended
camp the second week of Se,r
tember 1999. Our journey began at the
Allegheny County Airport in an air life­line
plane piloted by Alex Waddles.
When we touched down in Maine we
were greeted by an enthusiastic hus­band
of laura Bean. Our gear was
loaded into two vans and we were
driven 30 miles to camp. For 5 days
Camp Sunshine was our haven. A place
where anything you needed was given
to yOll with: a smile. Our meals were
provided each day, entertainment
nightly, and daily activities to bond
adults together intO teams and ulti­mately
friends. Camp Sunshine pro­vided
a much needed respite from the
day to day grind of living with a child
with a chronic disease. My two teenage
boys felt safe to be siUy and carefree
without the peer pressure from school
and neighborhoocL Robyn could safely
be left in the loving care of counselors
while mom and dad went to group diS­cussions.
The overall result from feeling
loved and taken care of by total strang­ers
was the time it gave our family to
heal from the years of wear and tear of
caring for a child;with multiple need$.
many medications. Robyn had a second
biopsy done the summer of 1998 which
showed focal segmental glomeruloscle­rosis.
Her kidney disease is slowly pro­gressing
and she is in chronic renal fail~
ure heading toward transplant. This is
Robyn's story as we know it, but there
is a far better Story to tell.
But these are just words and it is hard
to put feelings into them. Camp Sun­shine
is important because it'gives the
healthy siblings a· chance to breathe.
Life becomes so constricted and sched­uled
in a home with a chird with special
needs that it seems to suck the very air
out of everyone involved. At. Camp
Sunshine our children "Could feel free
again and laugh. Laughter is such·a heal­ing
salve.
Thank you Camp Sunshine for the hugs.
smiles and especially the laughter.
peace, Karen, Clfft: Jason, Jeil and
Robyn McKee
. . . . . . . . . .. ..
Sometime later we were told that they
had Robyn stabililzed and we could go
and see her in the leu - Intensive
Care Unit. She was in a coma. Robyn
was so full of tubes - they were eve­rywhere.
She had an arterial line,
breathing tube, an EEG with its many
rainbow-eolored wires attached to her
head monitoring her seizure activity,
ana so many IVs going. Robyn began to
breathe on her own several days later
ana. slowly, day by day, one more tube
was removed from her. She was dis­charged
from the ICU 7 days later.
This was the beginning of our new
World. Robyn's neurological status
slowfy improved, but never to the point
of ·normal. Sh e has global brain damage
and continued seizures despite taking
several medications for her seizures. In
the beginning she had horrible behav:,
iors, sometimes aggressive and usually
impulsive. She attends a special school
for children with handicaps and is on
Slowly the fluid began to come off, but
the protein in her urine remained. This:
was a concern to her doctors. They
decided to perform a kidney biopsy.
Robyn had her biOpsy late in me after­noon
and sailed ri§tt Ulrough it. She
came back to her room and ate two
dinners!! We joked about the predni­sone
effect and how sne wouldn't·be
keeping ner girlish fi,ure If she kept
eating this way! Robyn was happy and
doing well - whew - what a relief to
us! Her disease now has a name ­mesangial
proliferative glomerulo­sclerosis.
f have been inspired by a small group of
people - the staff at Camp Sun-shine
- to tell a story. Unfortunately,
the beginning of my story starts in a
"ospital with a.. 'year old child named
Robyn. It was here that. we were first
told of a disease that we thought was
fairly benign - minimal change
nephrotic syndrome.
Robyn entered the hospital in February
1992 and was treated with prednisone
and lasix and then discharged 3 days
fater. However, we were back at the
. flospital in two weeks with a very sick
Ittle girl and two very scared parents.
Dunng this hospital stay Robyn was
liven IV Albumen treatments, which is
called diuresing, because she had re­tained
IS pounds of fluid. Robyn would
spend her days being pulled through
the hospital in a little red wagOB be­cause
she was $0 swolen that she'
couldn"t walk!
Suddenly; during the evening her blood .
pressure shot up and she began to haVe
mood swings, headaches, and vomiting.
this' lasted' a long time. The hospital
personnel loOked fOr an'answer to
these alarming symptoms. Sometime in
the wee hours of the morning. Robyn's
blood pressure became so high it
caused her brain to not get any oxygen.
She was experiencing something called
hypertensive encephalopathy. My sweet
little" year old began to have a seizure.
Her face became very rigid and she was
grinding her teeth. I rang for the nurse
and soon after that Robyn coded. Her
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PIItz· .
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DONOR UNDERWRITING OPPORTUNITIES
August 23, 1999
FAMILYACTIVITYCENTER
Name of family activity center
Dining Facility
Pavilion
Indoor Pool
Reception Area/Pool
Teen Center
Adult Conference Center
Arts & Crafts Center
Medical Clinic
Kitchen
Main Entrance
Tot Center Indoor
Nursery Center
Outdoor Playground
Outdoor Play Area/Grove
Men's Locker Room
Women's Locker Room
Fireplace & Mantel in Dining Room
Administration Suite
Learning Center ..
Furnishings Dining Room:
Pavilion .
Adult Conference Ctr.
Teen Center
Medical Center:'·.
Arts & Crafts Center
Tot Center
Stage
1,000,000
200,000 Reserved
200,000 Reserved
200,000
50,000 Reserved
50,000 Reserved
50,000 Reserved
50,000 Reserved
50,000 Reserved
50,000
50,000 Reserved
30,000
40,000 Reserved
30,000
50,000
25,000
25,000
25,000
50,000
30,000 Reserved
25,000
25,000
25,000
15,000 Reserved
15,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
CAMP SUNSHINE FAMILY CAMPUS
Name of Campus
FAMILY LIVING UNITS
Family Living Units Building (2)
Family Suites/Furnishings (40)
VOLUNTEER LIVING UNITS
Volunteer Living Unit Building
Volunteer Suites/Furnishings (20)
OTHER
Medical/Professional Residences (4)
Waterfront Area
Marina & Equipment
Gazebo
Bath House
Glass Blocks @Adult Conference Center Wall
Inscribed in honor ofor in memory of
2,000,000
250,000
40,000
250,000 Reserved
40,000
75,000
100,000
50,000
50,000 Reserved
30,000
6,000
, I
precious memories to
families in crisis.
probably a sick child in
your area undergoing
active treatment for a life
threatening illness who
would benefit from Camp
Sunshine. The cost to
support a family for the
Sponsorship program is
$1500 per family per
week. In 2001, camp will
be offered from June 17 to
August 31. If you are
interested in sponsoring a
family from your area,
please contact us for more
details on the program.
Help us bring hope and
Family Sponsorships are
vital to the Camp
Sunshine mission.
Without sponsorships, it
would be impossible to
cover the expenses of the
program. The number of
sick children that can be
accepted to attend Camp
Sunshine is limited only
by the availability of
funds to pay for the
program costs. Families
come from all over the
country to enjoy the safe
haven offered by Camp
Sunshine. There is
There are many people that contribute to Camp Sunshine in so many specials ways. Their
"in kind" giving is commendable and is so invaluable to Camp Sunshine. We would like to
take this time to honor a few of these silent heroes:
• Neil Waldmann of Neil's Wheels, Inc. has manufactured a MatteI Camp Sunshine Van.
This is the first in a series of limited edition matchbox vehicles. All proceeds will
benefit Camp Sunshine. Check out his website at www.
neilswheels.com for details.
• "Project Linus," spearheaded by Connie Kippax, will
provide 90 unique blankets for each bunk in our Family
Living Quarters.
• Sandra Negus and Ann Goffin, who along with their
respective chapters, have challenged the Pine Tree Quilters
Guild, Inc. to supply quilted bedspreads, wallhangings and window treatments to
furnish the entire Family Living Quarters.
• Alice Hellstrom Anderson is writing a book about the story ofCamp Sunshine. She is
an accomplished journalist and author. Her story will concentrate on what Camp
Sunshine means to families that have attended camp sessions. We still need funding to
publish the book. All sales will directly benefit the Camp Sunshine program.
• "Maine Convoy for Kids," a joint effort between the Lions Clubs of South Portland
and the Maine Professional Drivers Assoc., sponsored the 3rd annual fundraising event
Sunday, October 8th. A convoy of 112 trucks drove form Portland to South Portland
raising funds. A special thanks goes to Charlene Gendreau for all of her help!
FALL 2000
gg
Our Project Manager, Phil
Brackett, has been
overseeing the
construction of the facility
since its inception. The
following is an update of
The New Facility:
• Family and Volunteer
Housing Units are 90%
completed. We
anticipate 95%
completion by
December 1,2000, with
minor exterior painting
and staining along with
general cleanup to be
completed by Spring
2001.
• The foundation is in
place for the remaining
two Medical
Residences. Framing
commenced the first of
November with a
targeted completion
date of March 1,2001.
• The Family Activity
Center is 70%
completed. Both power
and heat are up and
running. Full
completion of the
facility is anticipated
for April 2001.
SUNSHINE TIMES SUNSHINE TIMES
2000F~Sp~~
Jha,nJvY01AIfor Your GLftJrof$1,500 or m.or~..
column, please feel free to
contact me directly at
nancy.cincotta@mount
smal.org.
Nancy Cincotta has
worked with children and
families for the past 25
years, initially as a child
life specialist and as a
social worker and
manager at Mount Sinai
Medical Center since
1979.
and laughed all night."
• "The parent group,
listening to other
peoples' problems,
knowing that my
family isn't alone."
So, as the weather turns to
frost, keep the warmth of
Camp Sunshine in the back
of your mind. The
connections families make
with each other and fellow
volunteers are priceless.
If there are particular
topics you would like to
see discussed in this
individual and a a family.
I had th occa ion thi year
to a k famili to writ
down what thir favorit
amp un hine m mory or
mom nt wa . Th following
quotes represent a snapshot
of their responses:
• "The overwhelming
kindness shown to our
families by the staff and
volunteers who have
given so much."
• "The night the 9-12 year
olds slept out and I went
to a campfire and talked
PWcho1ociaLCorruw.. ·by NCt+'\0' ClNtcottCt/
Families come to Camp
Sun hine often unawar
of what th program i all
about. Th y arrive
stressed, burd ned by th
disease their child is
facing. The combination
of respite, stress reducing
activities and psychoso­cial
programming com­bined
with the uncondi­tional
assistance offered
by the volunteers allows
them to relax, to
remember who they are
and to gain further insight
into what they need as
@@ @@ @HFo"
~
@ 0
• Alice Gadd Charitable • Galinson Family • Mr. William Mauch Lions Club
Foundation Foundation • Mercedes Benz of • St. Charles
• Allied Real Estate • Mr. Oliver Gill North America Borromeo Parish
• William Arthur • Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin • Miles for Smiles • St. Mary's Parish,
• Ms. Joann Ash Giltow • Mr. Mark Marotto Shrewsbury
• Brickel Marketing • Mr. & Mrs. Ernold • New York Stock • Mr. & Mrs. E.W.
Services Goodwin Exchange Stetson
• Camp Mataponi • Gold Foundation • Northern Trust Bank of • Mr. William Stitt
• Camp Takajo, Inc. • Mr. R. Milton Gray Florida • Mr. & Mrs. David
• Dennis Canavan & • Mr. & Mrs. Warren • New YorklMaine Sullivan
Kathleen Finnegan Hoeller Charitable Foundation • Telos Corporation
• Children's Hospital & • Mr. & Mrs. John Horan • Mr. Bob Paffenroth • Telephone Pioneers
Clinics • Dr. & Mrs. Peter James • Pat's Pizza of America
• Clair Ford, Lincoln, • James J. Gory • Pine Run Elementary • The Hudson
Mercury, Inc. Mechanical School Foundation
• Corporate & Industrial Construction • Pine State Plumbing & • The New Balance
Community Counsel • Kariotis Charitable Heatipg Foundation
• Ms. Carmine D'Amico Trust • Portland Sea Dogs • Mr. & Mrs. Allen
• Ms. Lisa DeBartolo • Peter & Cynthia • Ravitz Family Tobias
• Diamond BlackFan Kellogg Foundation Foundation • True Fans For Elvis
Anemia Foundation • Mr. & Mrs. Alan Lafer • Mr. & Mrs. Todd Club
• Disetronic Medical • Mr. & Mrs. Phil Reynolds • United Way of
Systems Levangie • The Robbins Family Greater Portland
• Diversified • Lifescan, Inc. Foundation • Mr. & Mrs. Todd
Communications • Lions Club of the • Ronald McDonald Vafiades
• Egan Family Bronx House of Maine - • Mr. Dave Vink
Foundation • Logos Associates • South Portland Lions • Mr. Andrew
• Mr. Andrew Elrnhirst • Maine Coast KOA Club Wagner
• Mr. & Mrs. Stephen • Maine Community • Weymouth Elks • Mr. & Mrs. Robert
Fine Foundation Lodge, 2232 Webber
• Mr. Les Franks • Mark Forti Leukemia • South Portland, • Weymouth Elks
• Friendly's Ice Cream Fund Thornton Heights Lodge
(® ®)(® @lfiO 0 @))
The Viterbis set an
example for successful
people who help those in
need. Their altruism is
second to none.
Andrew Viterbi is a
cofounder of Qualcomm, Inc.
in San Diego, CA. He was
enlightened about Camp
Sunshine by Larry Gould.
The two had been co-workers
at MIA-com, Inc. before
Larry retired and founded
Camp Sunshine.
Recently, The Viterbis visited
our new, permanent Camp
Sunshine campus and
committed themselves to the
support of our program.
Donor Spotlight
We would like to take this
opportunity to sincerely
thank the Viterbi Family for
their very generous donation.
Andrew and Erna Viterbi
donated $1,000,000 to Camp
Sunshine in the fall of2000.
Words can not express our
gratitude for this generous
gift.
In honor of their donation,
Camp Sunshine has named
the Family Activity Center,
The Viterbi Family Activity
Center.
Yet as is true in life, the laughter, glee, yelps, whispers and dreams have been caught up in the
gentle breezes of time and have whisked away; the footprints of the running children, the
chasing counselors and the smiling reflective parents along the beach have yielded to the
caressing waters of the lake and been washed away...but not so the memories and love in the
hearts of those who comprised Camp Sunshine.
The rest of us have continued in this life's journey full of hope, love and strength to deal with
the challenges before us..knowing that none of us are ever truly alone.
Some of those children, who had walked, talked, laughed and cried with us, have been
gathered up and embraced in the arms of the angels. They have been lifted up and carried
beyond the clouds and the star filled heavens to the eternal Camp Sunshine bursting forth in all
its safe, wonderful, beautiful radiance of love, yet at the same time, they live on in this world
in our hearts, memories and spirits.
Only those who have had the honor and privilege of sharing the brief moments of time called
Camp Sunshine can walk through the beach, road and paths and truly appreciate those magical
moments...of when strangers - from their own worlds of raging thunder - crossed paths of
others and a few days later, all-bonded together from their sharing would return back to their
worlds somewhat renewed and once again journey forth on their life's path.
The yelps of surprise, words of encouragement and comfort, the joyous laughter, the silent
tracks of tears have faded with the passage of time, replaced by the sounds of rustling leaves
and the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore.
The following is a letter from an anonymous volunteer:
Camp Sunshine 2000 has now closed its chapter not only for the
year but also for its existence at Point Sebago. It is with so many
mixed feelings that this time has come to pass. So many
memories have been forged on the beach and among the sites.
Friendships, camaraderie and special times have echoed among
the trees and in the gleam of the campfires.
Name the New Mascot Contest
Jha,nJvY01AI. ••
Thank You!
To Larry and Anna; to Joe and AI; to Laura, Donna and Debi; to all who have served on the
Board; to the staff of Camp Sunshine; to the staff of Point Sebago who assisted; to all who
have volunteered and will do so; to all who have come to the camp and touched the spirit or
life of another.
But just as Nature endures the chilly, snowy, grey days of the coming months but in reality is
preparing for the glorious, bursting forth of Spring, so does Camp Sunshine.
Nature regaled in all her splendor, cloaked in her explosive multi-colored quilt of beauty
preparing for her wintry rest, has heralded the closure ofCamp Sunshine 2000.
Our new Camp Sunshine has a teddy bear mascot! There I S only one
problem. Our mascot doesn't have a name. Help name Camp
SunshineI s new friend and win a complete Camp Sunshine ensemble.
Be the best dressed in your neighborhood with your new Camp
Sunshine sweatshirt, t-shirt, hat and key chain. Be the entry chosen
overwhelmingly by the staff and you WIN!!! Deadline for entries is
February 1, 2001.
2 3
SUNSHINE TIMES
Gratejitllyyours,
Anna & Larry Gould
The idea 0./a week srespitefOr chtldren undergoing active treatmentfOr cancer
came to us in the summer 0./1983. Never did we dream that some day there would
be ayear roundcampus capable ifproviding,a specialretreat to over 1~500sick
chtldren andtheirfltmtlies eachyear.
We want to thank all the wondeJjitIpeople who have helpedus achieve the goalif
butlding this campus with theirfinancial support and with their dedicated time. A
special thanks to all the volunteers who have made Camp Sunshine the success that
it is'. There is sttlla lot 0./hard work aheadto complete the campus, as it wtllbe
open In June 2001.
Tragically there is no shortage 0./chtldren with lift threatening illnesses. We need
tofOcus on an Endowment Fundso tha~jitndsare avatlable to keep the campus
operating on an ongoing basis. We do not want to turn away any sick chtld who
can benifit.from a week at Camp Sunshine. We needyour continuedsupport so we
can keepputting smtles on thefltces ifthose very sick chtldren.
Wish List:
• "Character" Band­Aids
• Costumes for our
famous
masquerade
parties
• Toys, books and
musical tapes
• Flashlights and
batteries
• Umbrellas
• 35 mm Film
• IV Pole with base
• New Sleeping
Bags
DearFriends.'
The doctor had said it was probably a virus. How strange to
suddenly be sitting in the waiting room of a pediatric
hematologist, looking at a memorial quilt dedicated to
children who had died of catastrophic illnesses, conversing
with bald headed little waifs with sunken eyes but determined
smiles, as my daughter was prepped for a bone marrow
biopsy.
Did we really belong here?
Kate came into the world a chubby, happy baby. Now, at the
age of 10, she was scrawny and pale. With her tossle of curls, she reminded me of one of those fancy, frilly
toothpicks that one sticks through a club sandwich. Since the age of three, she had suffered chronic migraines,
low-grade fevers, and weight loss. We tried not to worry, but it became obvious that day after day, month after
month, year after year, she was getting worse. A few days after visiting the hematologist for the first time, we had
our answer. Katie had systemic lupus.
Lupus is a chronic and incurable disease of the immune system. In essence, the body becomes "allergic" to itself ­sending
out killer antibodies that mistake healthy organs and systems of the body for foreign invaders. These
antibodies clog the kidneys, heart, lungs and joints. They destroy blood cells that are essential for clotting and they
can leave a disfiguring rash on the face and scars all over the body. With this constant internal battle going on, it is
no wonder that a person with lupus suffers from exhaustion and chronic pain. My baby had LUPUS. Our world
caved in.
We made a lot of friends at Yale Children's Hospital that year. We became very close to our new pediatrician, our
hematologist, our rheumatologist, our orthopedic surgeon, and our family counselor who helped us navigate this
new part of our lives. We had never heard of lupus in children and were surprised to learn that three to five
percent of children under the age of 16 have the disease. I read book after book about lupus, and was amazed at
the wide array of sYmptoms. There were no two patients alike.
Kate has been fortunate in that she has had no major organ involvement and no scarring. She does have joint pain,
fevers, migraines, and her blood does not clot well, but she has put back the weight she had lost and looks, for the
most part, like a normal teenager. Ofcourse, she wants to be a normal teenager. She'd rather no one know that she
has this disease. On the other hand, when she is so exhausted at school that she can barely lift her backpack, she
wishes desperately that someone would be sympathetic.
Kate must take steroids to suppress her immune system. When the lupus flares, her steroids are increased,
resulting in a "moon face" which Kate hates. In suppressing the immune system, she is more vulnerable to
everyday viruses and infection. Her bones have thinned because the steroids leach calcium from them. Despite
the fact that many folks see Katie and say, "Wow! You look great!", inside she suffers with this unwanted,
permanent guest who has taken residence in her body, denying her the carefree lifestyle of a teenage girl.
My husband, our son Brian and I have also had to make room for "the wolf' (lupus: " the wolf' in Latin). Due to
Kate's many difficulties, I am now a "stay at home Mom". My husband's salary as a police officer has to carry the
four of us. Four people living on one income is not easy for any family. When you add in all the extra trips to the
doctor, the lab work, and medications for a chronically ill child, you quickly forgo the extras. We used to take a
two week vacation every year to Disney World, a cabin on Crescent Lake in Maine... all relegated to the photo
album, which has since served as our "getaway" when we need a distraction from daily life.
Then, one day, the sun came out!
Back at the hematologist's office, I came across a brochure for Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life
threatening illnesses and their families. A week on the shores of Sebago Lake in Maine. For all of us! Free!
Housing, food, counseling, entertainment, and medical care included. The chance for my husband and I to talk
with other parents of chronically ill children. A chance for Kate to meet other kids her age who face the same
loneliness and isolation she feels. Could this really be possible?
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors throughout the United States, it was possible; and in September of 2000,
we were on our way to Maine.
It was all there. Katie enjoyed kayaking and a bon fire, a masquerade ball and a talent show. She went
through eight rolls of film snapping pictures of new friends. Bill and I helped pass around the box of tissues
during the supervised, daily parent support groups, where we heard other parents tell their stories of heartbreak
and hope. We were humbled by the courage of these brave families who, in many instances, made our
situation seem trivial by comparison.
Yet we all walked the walk of uncertainty and we found common ground in our tears and in our laughter. Yes,
laughter. Super duper blooper games in which the parents went head to head with the teenagers in games of
nonsense. Watching parents, who had been so quiet during the support group meetings, get up and belt out
"Who let the dogs out?" during karaoke night. A candlelit, gourmet dinner for the parents offered some hand
holding and dancing for parents who had forgotten that they were still in love. And, every day, the joy of
seeing so many sick children and their healthy siblings happily playing on the beach, singing songs, and
reacquainting themselves with another nearly forgotten concept: childhood.
It is hard to explain what a week like that does to a person or a family. We have all grown from our time at
camp and have made life long friends who will follow our daughter's progress with sincere interest and
understanding. We, in turn, will follow the progress of their beloved children who never deserved to be dealt
such a miserable hand so early in life.
But self-pity is not the way of Camp Sunshine. It is joy. On the gloomiest of days, we are but a computer
stroke away from re-connecting with other campers who helped us find our smiles again.
The last night of camp, each child launched a decorated wooden boat with a lit candle on it into the waters of
Sebago Lake. It was quite a sight. These were the "wishboats" of these many, precious children who just spent
the week becoming children again. Kate kept her wish quiet but I wished out loud, not so much that Kate be
cured of her lupus, but that we all be healed by the spirit and love of this remarkable place that is Camp
Sunshine.
Barb Chapman
November 8, 2000
This is a poignant letter from a Camp Sunshine mom.
Please consider sponsoring a family in crisis.
Thank You