Local College Student Spreads Sunshine to Children with Life-Threatening Illnesses

Camp Sunshine

There are dozens of ways to fight cancer. For Camp Sunshine on Lake Sebago in Casco, Maine, giving kids with different types of life-threatening diseases the chance to meet others with similar problems and share in understanding and fun is their way of aiding in the struggle.

Kelly Pereira, a 2010 Woburn High School graduate, who is currently studying Child Psychology at Framingham State, regularly volunteers at Camp Sunshine.

“We break the camp up into several different groups,” explained Pereira. “There's the Tot Lot for families with children ages zero through five, a six through eight group, nine through eleven, then a teen group, and even an adult group. Regularly, the camp holds three, and sometimes five-day, sessions almost year-round.”

Pereira also mentioned that the camp goes beyond helping just the children feel comfortable with themselves and their peers, but invites family members to join their group discussions dealing with what its like to have a child with such a devastating illness or the seemingly unendurable process of losing a child.

Speaking about her own experiences at Camp Sunshine, Pereira detailed: “When I first decided I wanted to go I went with a friend from Woburn and I didn't really know what I was getting into. Once we got there and met the families and had dinner with them and met the kids, you really find an appreciation for the kids and the families and what they're going through. The families seemed always happy, always upbeat, there were no regrets or negative thoughts. I somewhat expected a sad atmosphere, but its nothing like that.”

Besides the normal camp fun like games, arts and crafts, and cookouts, Camp Sunshine also helps to educate children and families about their particular disease. Programs dealing with various forms of cancer, brain disease, lupus, and other life-threatening disorders are weaved into the program.

Camp Sunshine also holds regular events across Maine and the surrounding area. Polar plunges (jumping in frozen lakes and rivers), fishing derbies and other festival like gatherings are regularly funded by various corporate sponsors like LL Bean or Harley Davidson in support of the camp.

Call For Donations

Camp Sunshine is primarily a volunteer organization. Camp Sunshine also doesn't charge families for their visits to the camp. Due to these two facts, Pereira expressed the constant need for supplies like games, toys, arts and crafts supplies, and the like, along with an on-going call for volunteers interested in helping out.

Giving her advice to people thinking about volunteering, Pereira expressed, “be prepared to come face to face with different illnesses, but have an open mind, because the volunteers are really the core of the program.”

To learn more about Camp Sunshine and their upcoming camp schedule and events, please visit their website at www.campsunshine.org. There, you'll find information about how to volunteer and how to donate supplies or money.

“Camp Sunshine really makes a difference in the lives of the kids and families that attend,” mentioned Pereira. “Maybe we can't cure their diseases, but we do find a way to make their lives better through understanding and fun.”