About Us
|
|
Camp Sunshine Dreams is designed to offer the child who has cancer a camp experience as similar as possible to the typical summer camp experience enjoyed by well children. The camp is an enjoyable, stimulating and supportive experience and provides for the special emotional and physical needs of the children attending. Because it is recognized that siblings of children with cancer also have special needs, the camp is also open to these individuals.
Camp Sunshine Dreams was created in 1988, and had a first year enrollment of 25 campers and a staff of ten. Today we have an enrollment of 100 campers (children 8 to 15 years of age), 10 Junior Counselors, (children 16 and 17 years of age), and 35 staff members. In 1991 we were able to bring six children with cancer resulting from the Chernobyl, Russia nuclear power accident, and their physician and interpreter to our camp for the summer. From 1988 through 1992, this camp was the fastest growing oncology camp in the nation.
Camp Sunshine Dreams is the only camp for children with cancer in the Central California area, and children from an eight county wide area attend this week long camp held at Huntington Lake each summer during the month of August. The camp operates under the direction of the Camp Sunshine Dreams Board of Directors, composed of volunteer members from Children’s Hospital Central California, the Candlelighter’s Organization (parents of children with cancer), and individuals from within the targeted communities.
Funding for Camp Sunshine Dreams comes from a variety of sources, including donations from individuals and community groups, The Kevin & Willard Hew Memorial Golf Tournament, and Children's Hospital Central California Oncology Camp Fund.
Camp Sunshine Dreams is a successful program, which has demonstrated surpassing value to cancer patients and their siblings who attend. This camp has also been held in high esteem by parents, the medical community, the media, and the general public.