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Camp Kesem is a secular camp provided free of charge for all families served and is open to all children regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, or financial status. Our goal is to provide an exciting, nurturing, and comfortable environment for everyone involved. Anyone between the ages of 6-13 with a parent who has passed away from cancer, is currently in treatment for cancer, or is in remission from cancer is encouraged to apply for Camp Kesem. We are currently able to have 60 campers for this summer and will be accepting on a first come first serve basis, with consideration to ensure appropriate balance of age and gender. Please apply as soon as possible.
Camp History
Camp Kesem (camp magic in Hebrew) began in the year 2000 through the initiative of students from Stanford University. These students working in correlation with Hillel, a Jewish group on their campus, determined that there was a great need in their community for children whose parent’s have been affected by cancer.
Planning for Camp Kesem at Notre Dame began in the spring of 2002. Students at Notre Dame were encouraged by the success of the original Camp Kesem and hoped that their effort would produce an amazing camp atmosphere for all of the children that would attend their summer camp in Indiana.
The first week of Camp Kesem at Notre Dame was held the week of August 10th of 2003. Sufficient funds were raised, and 23 children attended the week of camp. In 2004 Camp Kesem expanded to include 36 children and was held at Camp Crosley, a YMCA camp in North Webster, IN. Over 90% of our campers from the inaugural session returned, as well as several new children.
In 2005 Camp Kesem again expanded this time to 47 campers, and was held at Camp Manitou-Lin, a YMCA camp in Michigan.
Planning is currently in progress for Camp Kesem at Notre Dame 2006. We will again be at Camp Manitou-Lin. Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to reserve space for this summer.
Mission
Our mission is to provide a weeklong summer camp experience that provides children who are coping with a parent’s illness or death from cancer the opportunity to gain confidence, self-empowerment, and a sense of control and mastery over their environment. The camaraderie that the camp facilitates will provide a positive outlet for the campers, an opportunity to interact with other campers in the same situation, and most importantly an opportunity for them to enjoy some of the simple joys of childhood.