CAMP LIGHTHEART 2009
Camp will be held August 18-21, 2009 at the Omega Institute's Rhinebeck Campus.
Camp is free and we have several openings. Open to Hudson Valley Residents.
CALL FOR INFORMATION. 845-339-HOPE (4673).
The ULSTER COUNTY BOCES NEW VISION health students are fundraising for
Camp Lightheart and holding several events.
To support Camp Lightheart click on the MAKE A DONATION link at the top right.
For Information on receiving camp forms: 845/339-HOPE (4673)
Camp Lightheart, a camp for the children of breast cancer survivors is the brainchild of Breast Cancer Options. Breast Cancer Options provides comprehensive education, support and advocacy services for women diagnosed with the disease, but realized that there were very few services existing for their children who are often afraid that they will lose their parent. The first camp was held summer 2007 at the Omega Institute campus in Rhinebeck, NY and funding was provided by the United Breast Cancer Foundation, Omega Institute, .Banc of America Financial Services and Sam's Club Kingston.
"Camp Lightheart 2008 was a huge success and exceeded our expectations" said Hope Nemiroff, Executive Director. "The campers and staff had a lot of fun and made new friends because of their common bond."
The campers were in a safe, nurturing and fun-loving environment with a fantastic staff consisting of Joy Hopkins-Hausman, LCSW, a Licensed Professional Social Worker who works with people with cancer and their family members; Bob Hausman, MA, a psychotherapist with over 25 years experience as a children’s therapist and; Julia Hausman, RN a Registered Nurse who has seven years experience as a camp counselor. She was 6 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. All three of them have extensive outdoor education skills.
Joy Hausman who was diagnosed with breast cancer 21 years ago says it's important to have camps like this because there are so few resources for children. "Being able to bring the children together like this and talk about their concerns and family challenges has been really good for them."
"Our task here has been to find the right balance between just having fun and providing relief for the kids", explained Bob Hausman.
Through carefully organized activities, the children were given frequent opportunity to talk about their individual situations. Because they have the common bond of a parent with breast cancer, their feelings of isolation or of feeling different were lessened.
Nemiroff says that Breast Cancer Options is excited about holding the camp again next summer and hopes that they will be able to accomodate more campers and possibly hold 2 sessions. Additional funding for Camp Lightheart was provided by Ulster Savings Bank, Sam’s Club, and Banc of America Financial Services.
It is our hope that each child will leave camp feeling less isolated, more supported and most importantly that their hearts will indeed be lightened.
