CHILDRENS ONCOLOGY CAMPING ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
Strengthening camps for children with cancer and their families.
CHILDRENS ONCOLOGY CAMPING ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
EIN: 31-1530836
Programs and results
Reports and documents
Download annual reports Download other documentsWhat we aim to solve
Connection, networking, education and access to resources were important in helping members succeed. To operate in the safest manner possible, pediatric oncology camps, and their staffs require: 1) Best Practice Training 2) Specialized Training 3) Psychosocial Training In order to assist children and their families on the cancer journey to experience.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Professional Education, Gold Ribbon Accreditation & Partnerships
1. Professional Education: helps members fulfill their mission in serving kids with cancer and their families.
•Educational webinars and town halls with featured speakers from the medical and camping community, and at annual conference are provided.
•Resources help members connect with other like-minded organizations that could provide a service or product.
2. Gold Ribbon Accreditation: COCA's best practices program, provides member camps a list of recommended standards, document review of the camps' policies/procedures are completed to verify they 'meet' each of the standard requirements. To verify these documents 'in the field', COCA provides an onsite visit with a peer and medical camp professional.
3. Pediatric Camp Support from Partnerships:
•Working with our key partner, Care Camps, over $1.8 million in Operating and Capital Grants were awarded to support COCA member camps
•Create & Implement Professional Development Learning
•Cultivate Existing & New Partner Relationships
Where we work
External reviews

Videos
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
1) Maintain a robust Best Practices program for member camps
2) Provide specialized training for camp staff, counselors and volunteers
3) Conduct training for medical staff
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
1. Maintain a robust Gold Ribbon program which conducts policy and procedure review, on site visitations to establish accreditation for participating camps.
2. Continued expansion of CEU credit hours
3. Engagement of national speakers at the Annual Conference
4. Monthly educational webinars available to all members
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We maintain a staff of 2 full time professionals. In addition, we rely on membership engagement to assist with Gold Ribbon Accreditation program, the program review and camp site visitations. We engage national speakers as well as members during the Annual Conference to provide training on key subjects.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Eighty camps have achieved Gold Ribbon Accreditation status. In addition, 35 are scheduled for status review in the next 2 years.
The post conference survey, as well as annual survey results continue to show increasing members satisfaction of COCA-I delivery of programs and services.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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Who are the people you serve with your mission?
pediatric oncology camping professionals-executive directors, camp directors, program directors, camp volunteers, development directors, pediatric oncology nurses, doctors, social workers, child life specialists.
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How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Community meetings/Town halls, Suggestion box/email,
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
In 2019, our organization held Focus Groups with a company that led us through a re-brand process. These Focus Groups interviewed current members, donors, other like-minded organizations so we could gather what COCA-I's SWOT were (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) In 2021, we went threw a re-branding of our logo to show COCA-I as a more professional membership organization and in 2022, we have been revealing and rolling out our new brand and continuing to develop professional education to train and prepare the professionals within our association.
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With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,
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How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship?
I believe receiving this feedback has opened doors for communication, ideas and resources from like-minded organizations and it has increased our relationship with our biggest donors. One of our biggest donors decided to give more this year and I do believe it is in response for the developing positive changes that has taken place over the last couple of years as well as their observation that COCA is good stewards of their money. The pandemic has been a positive opportunity for COCA-I to step up its professionalism as an international nonprofit serving camps for children with cancer.
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded,
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time,
Financials
Financial documents
Download audited financialsRevenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2020 info
4607.67
Months of cash in 2020 info
10.5
Fringe rate in 2020 info
8%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
CHILDRENS ONCOLOGY CAMPING ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
Revenue & expensesFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
SOURCE: IRS Form 990
CHILDRENS ONCOLOGY CAMPING ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
SOURCE: IRS Form 990
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.
CHILDRENS ONCOLOGY CAMPING ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitionsFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
SOURCE: IRS Form 990
This snapshot of CHILDRENS ONCOLOGY CAMPING ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.
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Business model indicators
Profitability info | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
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Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | $4,850 | -$5,323 | $17,393 |
As % of expenses | 2.2% | -1.8% | 11.5% |
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | $4,850 | -$5,323 | $17,393 |
As % of expenses | 2.2% | -1.8% | 11.5% |
Revenue composition info | |||
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Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $220,327 | $292,918 | $168,193 |
Total revenue, % change over prior year | 0.0% | 32.9% | -42.6% |
Program services revenue | 58.5% | 54.7% | 46.2% |
Membership dues | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Investment income | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.9% |
Government grants | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
All other grants and contributions | 41.3% | 44.5% | 52.9% |
Other revenue | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Expense composition info | |||
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Total expenses before depreciation | $218,269 | $298,241 | $150,800 |
Total expenses, % change over prior year | 0.0% | 36.6% | -49.4% |
Personnel | 22.3% | 18.0% | 35.7% |
Professional fees | 11.5% | 14.3% | 27.9% |
Occupancy | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Pass-through | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
All other expenses | 66.2% | 67.7% | 36.4% |
Full cost components (estimated) info | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
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Total expenses (after depreciation) | $218,269 | $298,241 | $150,800 |
One month of savings | $18,189 | $24,853 | $12,567 |
Debt principal payment | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Fixed asset additions | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Total full costs (estimated) | $236,458 | $323,094 | $163,367 |
Capital structure indicators
Liquidity info | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
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Months of cash | 7.9 | 4.6 | 10.5 |
Months of cash and investments | 7.9 | 6.4 | 14.3 |
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 9.2 | 6.5 | 14.3 |
Balance sheet composition info | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
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Cash | $143,352 | $113,331 | $131,745 |
Investments | $0 | $46,456 | $47,954 |
Receivables | $0 | $40,297 | $0 |
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 0.5% | 18.9% | 0.0% |
Unrestricted net assets | $167,590 | $162,267 | $179,660 |
Temporarily restricted net assets | $0 | N/A | N/A |
Permanently restricted net assets | $0 | N/A | N/A |
Total restricted net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Total net assets | $167,590 | $162,267 | $179,660 |
Key data checks
Key data checks info | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|
Material data errors | No | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
Executive Director
Jennifer Amundsen
Jennifer is the current Executive Director for the Children’s Oncology Camping Association, International (COCA-I). She is passionate about the benefits of camps and programs for children with cancer and their families. Since 1993, she has dedicated her entire career working in pediatric oncology programs such as Camp Sunshine, GA and Smile-A-Mile, AL.
Prior to joining the staff of COCA-I as the Assistant Executive Director (AED) in 2018, Jennifer was the Program Director for 23 years at Smile-A-Mile. She served on the COCA-I Board of Directors numerous terms as the Secretary, Member at Large as well as two years as the Conference Chair. In 2013, after 20 years in pediatric oncology camping, Jennifer was awarded the “Spirit of COCA-I” Award.
Jennifer has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Family and Child Development from Auburn University and is serving as an inaugural Advisory Board Member for the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Auburn University.
Program Manager
Ryan Campbell
Ryan was hired part-time by the Children’s Oncology Camping Association, International (COCA-I) in February 2022 as the new Program Manager. He helps oversee the educational content provided to members in online webinars, town halls and works closely with the conference committee to develop the educational content and successful execution of the annual conference. Ryan also oversees COCA’s best practices program, the Gold Ribbon Accreditation program.
Lastly, Ryan is the current Camp Director at Happiness is Camping, NJ for 8 years and has worked at camp for 15 summers. He was awarded the 2018 COCA-I Region 1 Camp Spirit Award, served on the Development & Marketing Committee for the COCA-I Board of Directors in 2021 and he has been a speaker numerous times at COCA-I’s annual conference. Ryan is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Camp Administration and Leadership from Gratz College.
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
CHILDRENS ONCOLOGY CAMPING ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.
CHILDRENS ONCOLOGY CAMPING ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
Board of directorsas of 12/06/2022
Board of directors data
Dr. Kaye Wagner
Camp Bring It On, SD
Term: 2021 - 2022
Matthew Ruttler
Valerie Fund's Camp Happy Times, NJ and Kay's Kamp, DE
Brandon Briery
Camp CAMP, TX
Jennifer Benton
Camp Mak-A-Dream, MT
Tini Graff
Kay's Kamp, DE
Dina Dattilio
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, VT
Gretchen Loose
Kay's Kamp, DE
Brandon Padgett
Kids Cancer Alliance, KY
Erin Ulmer
Camp Rise Above, SC
Tara VanDerpoel
MD Anderson's Children's Cancer Camps, TX
Michael Vasquez
Camp Okizu, CA
Becky Felak
The Goodtimes Project, WA
Kelsey Merritt
West Coast Kids Foundation, BC, Canada
Brian Crater
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, CA
Mary Ellen McKnight
Kay's Kamp, DE
Michele Vernon
Sunrise Association
Laura Vaughn
Camp Quality USA
Rebecca Kirch
Care Camps Liaison
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
No data
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 07/05/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.