CAMP SUNSHINE AT SEBAGO LAKE INC

The program objectives are: (a) to enhance communication and reconnect family members, (b) to provide a safe, supportive and understanding community in which family members can feel a part of, and (c) empower families to face an uncertain future with strength and hope.

Families leave a Camp Sunshine retreat with wonderful memories, lasting friendships, a support system of families who truly understand the struggles they are facing, and renewed energy to cope with upcoming challenges.

Camp Sunshine uses three primary strategies to achieve our goals:

• Disease specific retreats: Since each retreat is earmarked for a particular illness, sick children feel “normal” when integrated with their Camper population. The often-forgotten well siblings receive needed attention and parents have an opportunity to spend some quiet time together. Children are able to be around other children who are dealing with the same set of health issues, while parents are able to hear presentations and get advice from health professionals who are experts in the field

• Workshops and discussion groups: Parents have the opportunity to attend group workshops led by a Master’s level social worker, where they discuss experiences, emotions and relevant issues regarding their child’s illness and its impact on the family. These parent groups are filled with the energy of many people, who are at different stages of their illness journey. Camp Sunshine also hosts groups for older siblings affording them the same opportunities to share. These sessions are often the first opportunity they have had to share their feeling with others who can genuinely identify with the same experiences. Workshops provide a forum where family members can learn from each other how to manage the needs of their children in the midst of the child’s illness; and, should treatment fail, during the end stages of life.

• Recreational Activities: Most families with an ill child have not participated in much-needed playtime since diagnosis. Here, sick kids get a break from being sick kids - to chat, to laugh, simple pleasures that many have not been able to experience in months or even years. Likewise is the case for all family members. Camp Sunshine offers a variety of activities, some designed for family members to participate with others in their respective age groups, and, as important, some activities that foster family involvement, encouraging family members to laugh and play together.

With more than 35 years of experience and hosting thousands of families from all 50 states and 27 countries, Camp Sunshine has proven to have the capacity and expertise to successfully create, implement, and manage retreats that are meaningful for families who are coping with a child’ life-threatening illness.

Camp Sunshine is governed by an 11-member volunteer board of directors which includes Camp Sunshine’s Medical and Psychosocial directors. Additional members have backgrounds in medicine, law, management and business.

Camp Sunshine has a small staff of 14 (3 are maintenance and housekeeping) who is responsible for programming, facility management, recruitment and training of volunteers, family outreach and recruitment, and fundraising. Staff members have backgrounds in social work, child development, recreation, marketing, finance, fundraising, and volunteer and nonprofit management.

Onsite medical support is available to families while they are at Camp Sunshine. Because retreats are illness specific, each is staffed by a physician whose practice focuses on the illness being covered during that week. It is comforting for parents/guardians knowing they have access to a physician who is knowledgeable about their child’s illness while at camp.

Camp’s small year-round staff is assisted by more than 2,000 volunteers who are involved with all aspects of camp. They are instrumental in executing Camp Sunshine’s special events by serving on planning committees, and providing event-day staffing. Volunteer groups from local businesses, camps and organizations provide essential spring and fall campus clean-up and maintenance support.

The majority, provide support at one of our illness-specific retreats. 80-100 volunteers, depending upon the needs of campers and the number of families, are needed at each in-person retreat. These dedicated volunteers serve as camp counselors working with specific age groups, head up arts and crafts activities, staff the camp store, support food service, and provide transportation (in camp vehicles) for families arriving in Portland by air, train or bus.

Among the volunteers are a growing number of former camp families who return to give back. Their presence speaks to the lasting importance of the Camp Sunshine experience, and adds strength to our programming as they give inspiration and hope to families currently dealing with an illness.

Camp Sunshine maintains accreditation with American Camp Association and has been named a Gold Ribbon Camp by the Children’s Oncology Camping Association. Camp Sunshine has received 9 (6th consecutive) top four-star rating for sound fiscal management and transparency from Charity Navigator. Locally, Camp Sunshine is a member of Maine Summer Camps and Maine Camp Experience.

Established in 1984, Camp Sunshine initially served children with cancer and their families. Retreats were held each spring and fall at a local camping resort. The growth in popularity of Camp Sunshine led to the building of its own dedicated campus in 2001 and expanded the illnesses served.

Today, Camp Sunshine hosts retreats year-round, reaching more than 700 families each year. They attend illness-specific sessions of varying lengths where they have the opportunity to solidify and renew their relationships while meeting others facing similar challenges.

Bereavement programming began in 2002 and is hosted annually for families who have lost a child to an illness Camp Sunshine supports. The addition of these specialized programs has added to the depth to the services offered at Camp Sunshine, and helps create the community of support families need.

Camp Sunshine has developed and maintains strong relationships with over 100 treatment centers as well as illness related groups who refer families. In total, more than 50,000 family members from all 50 states and 27 countries have enjoyed a Camp Sunshine retreat.

In addition, Camp Sunshine has developed longstanding relationships with a number of professional organizations including; The Diamond Blackfan Anemia Foundation, Dyskeratosis Congenita Outreach, Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Pediatric Low Grade Astrocytoma Foundation, and Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome Foundation, all have helped Camp Sunshine enhance its program over the years.