welcome back!

FALL 2014
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CAMPKESEM.ORG/STONYBROOK
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FALL 2014
WELCOME BACK!
Updates
Camp Kesem Reunion
November 15, 2014
pg. 2
Planning has started for
Camp Kesem 2015! Visit
campkesem.org/stonybrook for
more information
Camp Kesem is excited for
our second year!
Inside
News Updates &
Calling all Campers
pg. 2
Camp 2014 Recap
pg. 3
Testimonials
pg. 4
New Coordinator Board
pg. 5
Camp Kesem Stony Brook is a peer support community for
children affected by a parent’s cancer, completely run by Stony
Brook University Undergraduates. The organization puts on yearlong
programming including a free, weeklong summer camp and reunions. While there are over 3 million children affected by a parent’s
cancer, Camp Kesem remains the only national organization supporting their unique needs.
Established in 2013, the Stony Brook chapter successfully
fundraised over $50,000 during the course of the 2013-2014
academic year to serve 52 campers from the Long Island area. Our
camp, which was hosted at Camp Candlewood, Connecticut during
the week of August 10th - August 15th was a life changing experience for campers, counselors, and staff.
Thank you for a great first year!
Counselor Applications are now available!
Visit: campkesem.org/stonybrook/counselors
Deadline: October 31, 2014
Fall 2014
Calling all Campers!
Camp Song: Boombas
SAVE THE DATE:
FALL REUNION
Camp Kesem Stony Brook will be
My mom gave me a penny
So I could buy some tennies
But I ain’t got no tennies,
holding a reunion for all our campers
and parents on November 15.
(Chorus):
Instead I got some boombas!
campkesem.org/stonybrook/
campers
More details can be found on:
Some jiggly-jiggly boombas!
My mom gave me a nickel
So I could buy a pickle
But I ain’t got no pickle
News Updates:
(Chorus)
My mom gave me a dime
So I could buy a lime
But I ain’t got no lime
(Chorus)
My mom gave me a quarter
So I could buy some mortar
But I ain’t got no mortar
(Chorus)
My mom gave me a dollar
So I could buy a collar
But I don’t got no collar
(Chorus)
Camp Kesem Stony Brook has had a
great start to our second year. On September 7th, Stony Brook Medicine held a
CPR Training Event at Lavalle Stadium in
which the five largest teams present won
an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Thanks to our amazing members and
supporters, Camp Kesem was the most
numerous with 28 people!
Planning for Camp Kesem of Summer 2015 has started. Our location and
camp dates will be on our website soon!
For those interested in becoming a counselor for summer of 2015, applications
are now open. The deadline is October
31, 2014.
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Fall 2014
Our Camp 2014
Day 1
We were so excited to welcome our Kesem families on such a beautiful August
day. As campers began to arrive and meet the counselors they were surprised
by a visit from Wolfie, Stony Brook University’s mascot. Smiles, high fives, and
joy spread across the group. Campers then hugged their family goodbye and
we were on our way!
Day 2
After a hearty breakfast we began a full day of activities! At arts and crafts we
made time capsules, a decorated container for us to store all of the special things
we’ve collected at camp. At science, we made and decorated kites before testing
them outside! We also played kickball and learned to navigate a low ropes course.
Then everyone gathered for an all-camp game of capture the flag, which ended in
lots of smiles. After lunch we had our messy trials! Counselors were found guilty of
camp crimes and doused in chocolate syrup!
Day 3
Our third day of camp began with a delicious
breakfast of blueberry pancakes,
oatmeal, and potatoes. Today at
arts and crafts we made fuse
bead monkeys, flowers, and
even picture frames. At
science, the campers
made Nickelodeon
green slime! Then, we all
had the chance to learn
archery and go on a
nature walk to
identify leaves and
seeds. At the end
of the day we
learned about
warm fuzzies
and spreading
kindness.
Day 4
Day four at camp started out rainy, but that
didn’t dampen our spirit! Curls led a colorful
bracelet and keychain-making session while Crush
taught us how to make paper footballs to play with.
In science, we made ice cream with Data in a Ziploc bag with just a
few ingredients and a lot of shaking! After burritos at lunchtime,
campers played games and sang camp songs.
After dinner we held our empowerment ceremony where
campers made bracelets relating to their Kesem experience.
Day 5
It was a beautiful last full day at camp. In arts and crafts we had
cupcake wars, where we raced to see who could decorate their jumbo
cupcake in the most creative and yummy way. After a lunch of grilled cheese
and salad, the entire camp gathered on the fields for a surprise...Color
Wars! The campers were each handed a bag of colored powder and the fun and
messiness began! At night the campers enjoyed glow-in-the dark themed campfire
and s’mores.
Day 6
Our last day at camp was bittersweet as we all packed and savored our
time with each other. Our week at camp ended with a talent show and
ceremony as we honored the special traits of all of the members of our Camp
Kesem Family.
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Fall 2014
Camp 2014 Testimonials
“I cannot ask for a better group of college kids to
be around. They are truly inspirational and a
positive group of people. I’m happy my kids got
to be a part of such a great camp, especially
considering this is the hardest time of our
family’s life, emotionally and
financially. They see a lot of pain and
stress so this camp could not have
come at a better time.”
PARENTS
“The love that the counselors and
administrative team have for our
children is priceless. New friendships were formed and
lifetime memories were made. You are all incredible.”
“CK showed me I’m not the
only one out there! Thank
you!”
“It gave all of us, including counselors a time to simply be kids,
enjoy the moment and be stress-free. I miss camp, and I am
already counting the days until the next camp season!”
“There are no words to describe how
appreciative I am to all of you and for all
that you did, not only during camp, but
for the many months prior to camp. My
children have not stopped talking since
they got off the bus. They had an
amazing time. I know you all worked
countless hours to ensure that everyone
had a good time...From the bottom of
my heart, I can’t thank you enough.”
“Thanks to all the counselors
for being so nice and making
this happen! I love you all so
much and thank you for
being my family!”
CAMPERS
“Camp means
everything to
me. I can be with
my friends and not
have to worry and I love
being with the counselors. It is an
escape from pain. I can be myself for
a while and just feel free. I get so
scared for my mum, but at Camp
Kesem I can just be me.”
“I will just say that this camp was one of my single
greatest growing experiences as a young adult.“
COUNSELORS
“Being able to see the impact our counselors make in the
lives of our campers and their families makes doing what I do
for Camp Kesem worth every moment.”
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Fall 2014
Introducing the new
Coordinator Board!
Directors:
Arjun Kumar - Chip
Jamie Leonard - Bear
Community Outreach:
Gouri Sadananda - Snuggles
Sonia Joshi - Sony
Development:
Corinne Banning - Daisy
Cyril Danielkutty - Silly Putty
Make the Magic:
Daniel Chung - Spike
Marketing & Public Relations:
Abhishek Parekh - Swift
Sara Conway - Kai
Operations:
Verna Solomon - Leya
Wendy Fang - Sunshine
Would you like to help CK Stony Brook
reach our $100,000
fundraising goal this year?
Visit
campkesem.org/stonybrook/donate
for more information!
Volunteer:
Alex Langstrand - Coach
Maheen Siddiqui - Roo
Melissa Abraham - Sapphire
Contact & Follow CKSB on:
CampKesem.org/StonyBrook
CampKesemSB
StonyBrook@CampKesem.org
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