CAMP LIGHTHEART
 Camp Lightheart 2022 for Children of Breast Cancer Survivors
August 7-10, 2022. Omega Institute, Rhinebeck NY.
A free sleep-away camp for children of breast cancer survivors or children who have lost their mother to the disease. Age 8-15 The only service we know of for children in this situation. Camp provides a support group for them. They have fun, hike and participate in sharing circles and verbalize their fears for the first time. Camp is free. Attendees must be vaccinated. (Sponsors: Omega Institute, United Breast Cancer Foundation, Ulster Savings Bank) 
Call for information-845-339-4673 
 
 Camp Lightheart was held on August 23 at Lake Taghkanic. It was a safe face-to-face event with social distancing and masks. It was a wonderful event enjoyed by chidren and parents.
 
Thank you to our sponsors: United Breast Cancer Foundation; Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation
 
 
Camp Lightheart- August 25-28, 2019 at the Omega Institute
 
Sponsors: Omega Institute; Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation,
Hannaford Charitable Foundation, United Breast Cancer Foundation
 
Camp Lightheart is an overnight camp for children from 8-14 who have a mom with breast cancer or children who have lost their mothers to breast cancer. It is a chance for children to meet others who have had similar experiences.

    Breast Cancer Options realized that there are very few services for children of women diagnosed with the disease. Our professional staff is headed by a child psychotherapist who is also an outdoor specialist which helps the kids feel comfortable and safe. The camp is held at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY.

    Camp Lightheart was held August 5-8, 2018. Thank you to our sponsors: Omega Institute; United Breast Cancer Foundation; Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation; Ulster Savings Bank; Hannaford Charitable Foundation; Donations

Help support Camp Lightheart Please. MAKE A DONATION


 
 
        
 "Camp Lightheart 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 are in a safe, nurturing and fun-loving environment with a fantastic staff. The staff consisted of Bob Hausman, MA, a psychotherapist with over 25 years experience as a children’s therapist; Shoshana Narva, CSW;  and junior staff Gabriella St. George and Jesse Casamassima.

"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.

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.