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Camp for cancer-family kids succeeds

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Contributed by: David I. Karp on 7/12/2008

Exhausted but exhilarated, Hannah Karp of Sherman Oaks, returned Saturday, July 5, from a week co-leading an all-volunteer resident camp for children of parents who have or have had cancer.

Called "Camp Kesem UCLA," this student-run event provides a free week of summer camp for children whose emotional needs are sometimes overlooked at home because of a parent's cancer crisis.

According to the camp's Web site, www.campkesem.org/ucla, the program gives "children affected by a parent's cancer the opportunity to just be kids. The ever-expanding Kesem community engages in camp activities like sports, arts and crafts, and drama to give campers a fun-filled week."

"Campers also participate in 'Cabin Chats,'" states the Web site, "with fellow campers and counselors, giving children the chance to share their experiences with each other."

As before, Camp Kesem UCLA took place this year at the campgrounds of Camp Whittier, operated by the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, in the Los Padres National forest.

According to Karp, one of four UCLA volunteer administrators this year, the camp and the program were unaffected by the "Gap Fire" north of Goleta and south of the camp, which nevertheless lit the night sky in worrisome hues of orange and red.

Camp Kesem started at Stanford University in 2001 and is now a national effort of college students. Undergraduates at various campuses affiliated with this program, promote, raise funds, organize and staff the camp.

In so doing, they serve an important social need while learning skills in organization, planning, leadership, finance and youth service.

This year, Karp and the other administrators added a new teen program to run concurrently with the pre-existing program for elementary school-age children. The teen program focused on leadership and outdoor skills and included a short backpacking hike to an overnight campground nearby.

"The teen program was a great success, but stretched our fundraising budget for this year and next. We need now to fund raise for next year's program to assure its success," Karp said.

"Donations can be made via the Web site at www.campkesem.org/ucla," Karp added. "Those donations will be more than welcome."

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