What is Camp Sunshine?

 

Camp Sunshine provides retreats combining respite, recreation and support, while enabling hope and promoting joy, for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families through the various stages of a child’s illness.

 

Camp Sunshine is the only program in the nation offered year-round with the distinction of having been designed to serve the entire family in a retreat model. The program is free of charge to families and includes on-site medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement sessions are also offered for families who have experienced the death of a child from a supported illness.

 

How did it start?

 

Founded in 1984, Camp Sunshine is nestled in the tranquil natural beauty of Sebago Lake. After watching a television program about a summer camp for children with cancer, Larry and Anna Gould decided to offer a similar program at their resort. Discussions with the chief of pediatric oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston resulted in Anna and Larry offering a pilot family camp for 43 children with cancer and their families in June 1984. For seventeen years, Anna Gould and Dr. Larry Gould donated their facilities and personnel at Point Sebago Resort and hosted camp sessions for thousands of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

 

In 2001, Camp Sunshine opened the doors of its own permanent year-round facility on 24 acres donated by Anna and Larry. Now, more than 25 sessions are offered annually, serving as many as 750 families (3,000 family members) per year. Since Camp Sunshine’s inception in 1984, it has served over 48,900 family members from 50 states and 27 different countries.

 

To learn more about Camp Sunshine visit www.campsunshine.org!