Jennifer Mercer

Children simply want to be kids – to run and jump, swim and play games while enjoying nature. For children who have faced a serious illness like cancer, going to camp is a great way to get away from it … Read more

Emmalin was two years old when she first started experiencing symptoms caused by a Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma(JPA), a tumor the size of a tennis ball growing on her brain, including headaches, not being able to sleep or eat, and extreme … Read more

Friendship and Acceptance Adventure in Nature Lifetime of Memories Healing HOPE These are just some of the gifts campers and their families have shared that they have received as a result of an experience at a Care Camp. When you … Read more

 Some trails are happy ones, Others are blue. It’s the way you ride the trail that counts, here’s a happy one for you. Mr. Ron Garman discovered his love of camping and the great outdoors as a boy. His first … Read more

Twice the Healing, Twice the Hope! When it matters most, there’s a love shared between sisters that is unbreakable. For 16-year-old Riley and 14-year-old Raegan, this bond of sisterhood includes the cancer journey they are taking together. When Riley was … Read more

 “Dress-up play allows anyone to dream, hope, and use their imagination.” Dressing up is fun, fosters creativity, and explores the imagination. The benefits of donning a costume with family and friends are far-reaching for everyone.  However, for kids with cancer, … Read more

Suzanne and Ty Giesemann first learned about Care Camps while camping at a KOA campground. “My mother and sister both had cancer, and Suzanne’s work with Helping Parents Heal has brought her into contact with many parents who had children with cancer. … Read more

Camping and s’mores are synonymous with each other. This gooey, crunchy treat made of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers has deep roots in the camping community. As history tells it, the recipe for “Graham Cracker Sandwich” appeared in the early … Read more

Camp in a word is FUN. However, the fun that the camp experience provides for kids with cancer isn’t just fun and games, it plays an important role in their health and healing.  Good old-fashioned fun has all kinds of … Read more

Camp is still a few weeks away, but 16-year-old, cancer survivor, Sara is already packing her bags in anticipation of seeing her friends. “We might have met at camp and only get to see each other once a year, but … Read more