Our Crowdfunding Groups
Who we are:
Camp Kesem Northwestern is a student organization comprised of over 50 undergraduate students who work tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds and plan two weeks of summer camp for children in the Chicagoland area who have been affected by a parent's cancer. Camp Kesem is completely free for all campers to alleviate any additional financial burden on families who are already plagued by medical expenses for cancer treatments. During camp, our student volunteers serve as counselors, and in 2016, we expect to serve 150 campers. At camp, children spend a week participating in team-building activities, swimming, doing arts and crafts, and learning drama—all while surrounded by their peers in a supportive community. Although Camp Kesem is not a therapy camp, our campers are able to share their experiences with each other and their counselors. Camp Kesem works to help children through and beyond a parent's cancer while providing college students with unforgettable leadership experiences.
Our project:
Camp Kesem would not be able to exist without the help of our dynamic counselors. We take this position seriously and dedicate many hours to training Northwestern students to become counselors. Last year, we added an additional camp week so we could accommodate the number of children who wish to attend Camp Kesem, and have added more counselors than ever before to maintain our 3:1 camper to counselor ratio. Each counselor must complete over thirty hours of training, which can become quite costly. That’s where you come in! We need your help to subsidize the high costs associated with the over thirty hours of training that each counselor must complete, as well as supply funds for counselors to attend the Camp Kesem National Leadership Summit, where counselors learn "best practices" from Camp Kesem chapters across the country. The goal of our Catalyzer campaign is to raise $5,000; with this money over 55 counselors will be trained and will help make this year’s Camp Kesem the best one yet!
We hope that you will be able to contribute to our goal, or share our campaign with your friends and family!
What our campers/counselors say:
“To me, camp has been a place where I can be the best version of myself. It’s no surprise that camp is called “Kesem,” because some act of true magic happens during this week that causes everyone to remember what it means to be kind, empathetic, enthusiastic, fun, and loving. From filling out Mad Libs, to playing Gaga Ball, to racing on the water obstacle course, to the Empowerment Ceremony and Color Wars, this week is spiritually renewing because it reminds you how you can still find joy, fellowship, and understanding even during a difficult time. These campers are absolutely inspiring in how strong they are, how much they genuinely care about each other, about the counselors and their families, and just how much fun they can have.” - Nick DiMaso, former Camp Kesem counselor and Volunteer Coordinator
“[My son] credits Camp Kesem with giving him the self-confidence to come out of his shell; he is considering his college choice based on his ability to one day return to Camp Kesem as a counselor.” - Camper mom
Thanks so much for your support! Every dollar we receive goes toward empowering student leaders and helping children through and beyond a parent's cancer.
In camp terms, this donation is equivalent to the costs of a night of s'mores at a campfire! Thanks so much for your support.
Sponsor transportation costs to and from camp for TEN counselors!
This donation will help send a student leader to the Camp Kesem Leadership Summit!
Equivalent to the cost of camp for one counselor, your donation will empower a student leader to make a difference in a child's life!
Your donation will completely sponsor the costs of TWO counselors at Camp Kesem. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our campers!
This donation would sponsor TWO counselors to attend the Camp Kesem National Leadership Summit. Thank you for helping to build a magical experience.
