Saint Rose camp gives kids time away

In its second year of helping kids cope with cancer in their families, Camp Kesem is flourishing in Columbia County.

"This year we have 30 campers," said Kelly Foran, this year's camp coordinator. That's nearly double the registration from last year.

Camp Kesem is a free, week-long overnight summer camp for children ages six-13 who have or have had a parent with cancer. The camp was organized two years ago by Kristin Fenn, a graduate of The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

Ms. Fenn's family was touched by cancer and, according to Ms. Foran, the graduate wanted to find a way to help others cope with the illness in their family.

Personal experience

"Cancer has also touched my family and that was one of the reasons I decided to volunteer. I just want to make a difference in these kids' lives," said Ms. Foran, who is from Monroe, N.Y.

The local camp is part of a student-run network based at colleges. Since being founded by four Stanford University students in 2000, Kesem grew to a national movement serving 600 campers on 15 campuses.

Most of the 25 members of Camp Kesem's staff are either students or graduates of Saint Rose. Under the guidance of its advisory committee of local professionals, the Saint Rose students serve as counselors for the week. Before qualifying, they undergo 40 hours of extensive training.

"The kids just spend their time at the camp having fun," said Ms. Foran.

"They participate in sports, drama, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, even talent shows. The week at camp gives them the opportunity to get away from the stress at home; they can just run around and be a kid," she said.

Ms. Foran, 21, who is in her senior year at Saint Rose, is majoring in early childhood education and hopes to work with children between birth and seven years of age after graduation. She said that the experience of camp will help her, but that isn't why she volunteers each year.

Hidden pain

"The kids often feel as if they are alone, going through the impact of having a sick parent at home, all by themselves," she explained. The camp experience lets them see that others are going through the same thing. It also helps them get in touch with their feelings, she said.

Children who have a parent with cancer, or one who has had the disease, often lack sufficient external support, Ms. Foran said. Because the children are neither physically ill nor visibly distinct from others, the complexity of emotions they experience can easily go without attention. They have trouble relating to their peers, which often results in isolation and fear and puts the child at risk for depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders.

Personal attention

During their week at camp, which is largely devoted to play and relaxation, each child is evaluated by a pediatric oncologist to determine their needs, Ms. Foran said. In addition to the evaluation, each camper is prompted to share his or her feelings at the end of every day during "Cabin Chat" time before bed.

"A counselor sits with each child for to be sure that things are going well," Ms. Foran said.

Last year, for its first session, the volunteers raised $40,000, which allowed 19 campers to attend Camp Kesem, which operates at Camp Eagle Hill in Elizaville, Columbia County.

"Basically I want to stay involved with Camp Kesem, even after graduation. It is important to these kids," said Ms. Foran said.

"Even though we had cancer in our family, I had a fun childhood, and I want these kids to also have fun. We are only a child for a short time and fun is part of childhood. When I see a smile on a kid's face, I know that I've done my job."

(For additional information, visit the national Camp Kesem website, www.campkesem.org. To learn about Saint Rose's involvement, click the "Find a Camp" link. Or write: Camp Kesem Saint Rose, P.O. Box 66223, Albany, NY 12206. Or call: (845) 417-5364.)

(07/17/08)