Chance Colleen

Camp Kesem: A Letter To The Parents

chancecolleen

For two years I have had the honor of serving children for a week at a summer camp. These kids have parents who had cancer or have cancer, have passed away or are courageous survivors. Each and every camper knows that they are so very important to me, but I never got the time to tell the parents that.

So-here it is.

Thank you for trusting me with your child’s heart for an entire week. You rely on me to protect them, love them, be patient with them when I don’t understand, calm them down, play with them and make them feel at home while they are away from home.

you trust me.

And most of you hadn’t met me prior to dropping your kid off at camp. You sacrifice a week of loving on your child so that I can. It is the greatest joy I have ever experienced: loving your child. Do you understand how courageous you are? For some of you parents, you just finished chemo and want to celebrate with your kids, but instead you give them to us. Some of you aren’t sure what your next scan will say but instead of soaking up time with your child, you give them to us. Some of you know the moments with your child are limited, but you give them to us. Some of you aren’t the child biological parent because cancer took that away from them and you are extra protective of this sweet child, but you still give them to us. We are forever indebted with gratefulness towards each and every single one of you.

Each of us counselors stories are different but I know for me- being with those kids for six days allows my grieving heart to find peace in my mothers passing. I find peace in each camper hug, laugh, story, craft or pool time. You sacrifice a week of time with your child, but what you don’t know is that you are giving me a lifetime of peace and joy.

We are invested in your child’s life more than you will ever fully comprehend. We become excited for their first day of school right alongside of you, their first sporting event, their first school play, their high school graduation…we are cheering them on and thinking of them everyday before and after camp.

We are also invested in you.

Your life is so important to us. We love you so very much. More than you will ever know. Thank you for choosing us.

Love,

Speedracer and BSU Camp Kesem

2 responses to “Camp Kesem: A Letter To The Parents”

  1. Allana Guidry Avatar
    Allana Guidry

    This is beautifully written! Thank you ❤
    This summer was KitKat's 3rd year with Camp Kesem. The first year dropping her off was so difficult for me because she was so incredibly shy, she hated being with a bunch of people she didn't know, and she hated the activities I knew she would experience while she was there… however, I was proud of her for agreeing to go. When we were getting ready to leave her there and drive home, my eyes were filled with tears as she stood in the back, and yet a counselor stood with her and she put her arm around KitKat and gently led her to the other group of kids. It put my heart at ease. I LOVED seeing all the pictures and videos throughout the week… each day I noticed she was more involved and there was the smile I hadn't seen in years. When it was time to pick our camper up, there she was with her head held high, she was standing in a group of other campers laughing… it did my heart good as her counselors rushed up to let us know how well KitKat did. My eyes filled with tears as so many kids and other counselors rushed up to give her a hug before she left, saying they would miss her and couldn't wait until next year.
    KitKat's experience at Camp Kesem was life changing! It didn't just end with camp… she was changed forever! From that moment I watched her to continue to try new experiences and to make new friends. Now even with her 3rd year, I continue to watch her step more and more out of her shell. Just a little example, KitKat used to invite one or two people to her birthday parties – this past year, she had 10 girls come over.
    I've heard that there is magic at Camp Kesem, and I truly believe it. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your summer (and year) to love on my kid, and all the children at camp! You are giving them a week filled with a fresh breath to help them continue to walk forward in some of their most difficult moments ❤

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  2. Tess Avatar
    Tess

    Thank you so much. This brought me to tears. This was my three children’s first year at Camp Kesem and it was so hard driving away that first day. Your words make my heart swell. Thank you for giving back. You understand the hardship these kids go through. I truly appreciate all your love and support. Hugs.

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