CAMP HOBE INC

Camp Hobé is committed to kids with cancer (& similar disorders) & their families. We set specific goals for how we want camp to help them grow:

Goal #1: Our primary goal is to get every eligible kid to camp and every eligible family member to our outings, regardless of their ability to pay. We do not wish to ever turn anyone away because of finances. Families dealing with the expenses of cancer (or similar disorders) may be unable to afford the luxury of sending their kids to a camp that would cost almost $150 per camper-day for in-person camps prior to the COVID-19 pandemic or to a family outing that would cost $15 to $40 per person. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our costs to provide in-person programs are closer to $200 per camper-day for in-person camps.

Goal #2: Provide kids with cancer (& similar disorders) and their siblings a place to “just be kids," while also giving their parents a break from caregiving.

Goal #3: Provide an opportunity to develop support systems with others dealing with serious illness.

Goal #4: Encourage each participant to learn new skills and leisure activities by participating in small group & large group activities.

Goal #5: Offer participants opportunities to learn about nature, ecology and their part in preserving the environment during recreation and outdoor living.

Goal #6: Help each participant develop socialization skills and new interests.

Goal #7: Facilitate opportunities to develop leadership skills.

Goal #1: Charge minimal registration fees and provide fee waivers (ie, camperships) to families in need.

Goal #2: Participants have the opportunity to participate in activities just like kids whose families are not affected by cancer (and similar disorders). Our program provides a high level of medical & psychosocial supervision to ensure that participants are safe both mentally & physically.

Goal #3: Using recreation & leisure skills, staff provide activities for kids who would otherwise not have these group experiences.

Siblings find support in knowing that others deal with the same issues that they do. During the calendar year, other local organizations provide opportunities for these kids to learn about the disease & to talk about it. Camp Hobé activities provide a break from illness, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, hospitals, & illness. Participants are not expected to talk about their disease experience during our programs, although we are supportive should they wish to do so. Discussions on these topics are facilitated when participants initiate the conversations. Hobé Forever is an optional “guided” activity offered during the summer camp session where campers have time to remember friends who are not present that year. This activity allows campers to express feelings of grief & loss if they desire. Staff members respect any requests for further counseling or discussion.

Goal #4: Participants rotate through activities such as arts / crafts, drama, archery, challenge course, swimming, & nature. They may also take part in hikes, carnivals, and outdoor performances.

Goal #5: Specific topics about nature are offered during the summer camp. Each cabin group is assigned chores, including cleaning the dining hall, shower/restrooms, grounds, & cabins. In addition, staff discuss reducing food wastage & proper disposal of food. Campers directly participate in recycling.

Goal #6: In addition to other activities, each participant works with their group to create & perform skits & cheers. They sit together for meals & use the “buddy system” during activities & when moving between locations.

Goal #7: Some activities give participants the chance to volunteer to be the “first” one to try it. Campers can also lead by following camp rules & contributing to & participating in all activities. After campers reach the age of 16 they are eligible to be Counselors-in-Training & help staff with program activities or with a group of kids.

The summer camp programs are able to serve almost 300 campers each year, and camper registrations increase annually. During the fall and winter, our family outings serve another 170 to 180 children and family members. Between the summer camp and the family outings, the number of people we serve typically increases by 8%-10% each year. In addition, in 2020, we implemented a virtual camp program so that we could continue to serve our campers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and to better serve more seriously ill (eg, hospitalized) campers in future years.

Fundraising: We have a strong fundraising program in place, with a tremendous amount of local support. We are always looking for and introducing new fundraising efforts in order to keep the cost low to our families. Our Board members are committed to giving and to supporting our fundraising efforts.

Other available resources include a dedicated group of more than 30 board and planning committee members, which currently includes 9 part-time staff members (2 year-round, 8 seasonal). We use more than 200 volunteers annually to provide the in-person camp programs. We have strong relationships with the local adult cancer center (Huntsman Cancer Hospital), the local pediatric hospital (Primary Children's Hospital), Utah's premier academic medical center (University of Utah Health), and other local cancer organizations.

We work closely with the campsite owners to further refine and expand the campsite each year to meet the needs of our campers and their families.

We have kept our summer camp registration fees low, at $35 per camper for the 5-day in-person camps, and $15 per camper for the 2-day in-person camps, although the cost of running the program has increased with time. In addition, we are able to provide fee waivers to those in need. Over the last several years we saw an increase in requests for financial assistance, from 13% – 18% of our campers prior to 2010, to 22% – 26% of campers from 2010 – 2013. This trend has only just now reversed. From 2014 to 2019, 11% – 18% of campers requested and received fee waivers. Based on these numbers, we know that the need exists in our community for low-cost support programs and that we are getting those kids to camp and to our family outings..

Our progress on other goals is also great based on positive evaluations from parents, campers, volunteers, and reports from our local hospital. We successfully renewed our ACA accreditation for another 5 years, based on our 2018 campsite visit and evaluation. In addition, in 2019, we successfully renewed our COCAI Gold Ribbon status for another 5 years, which reflects compliance with additional standards for excellence in children's oncology programs.