Over the past couple of weeks The Seany Foundation has held several FB Live sessions engaging with parents and potential new families for the upcoming camp season. Our goal is to provide a space and opportunity to address any unanswered questions familes and loved ones may have as they consider joining the Camp Reach for the Sky community. At TSF we work hard to provide transparency, clarity, and security with all of our events. We were asked some really great questions about camp, logistics, expectations, and much more. In case you misse it, here is a recap!
Q & A:
We had many questions about the logistics of camp: How is medication distributed? What are the goals of camp? Which sessions can I register for? Are there staff members who can speak Spanish? How are allergies managed?
We'll start with the basics. Who can register for camp and how can I register my kiddos? Our three main camps are for kiddos ages 4-17. We have three different sessions Resident Oncology Camp (ROC), Sibling Camp (SIBS), and Day Camp. Day Camp is for our younger kiddos aged four to about ten. The reason I say about ten is because once kids have reached eight they begin attending our over night camps, ROC and SIBS. Kiddos between the ages of 8-17 go to one of our two over night camps. ROC is for the children who are current or former patients, while SIBS is for their siblings.
The goal, for each camp, is to provide the entire family with a break. A break from the norm, a break from challenges and worries. A week to be "normal" (whatever that really means). A week to just forget about the big C word. A week to be in community with people who get it. A week to just be with and build with your tribe.
Are there capacity issues for camps? Day Camp has a little more flexibility than the over night camps. Additionally, ROC and SIBS are the first two camps so they tend to fill up earlier in than Day Camp. If you are considering camp, even if you are on the fence, I always recommend registering. If you register and change your mind you can always decline but if you don't give yourself the chance you might end up missing out on something great. Always give yourself options so you can be empowered to make the choice you truly want to make.
How much does camp cost? For who? YOU? It's absolutely FREE!! We work year round to raise money so that none of our campers have to pay a penny. On average it costs us $500/camper to attend camp but we won't ask you to pay a penny.
Can I donate to camp? There are many ways to can contribute to the success of camp. TSF hosts events throughout the year in benefit of the camps including: movie nights, chef's fest, our gala, golf tournament, 5K and 3rd party fundraisers. Additionally, each camp has a wish list that we put together for all of our camp activities and arts & crafts. If you would like to give back to camp we encourage you to attend an event, become a 3rd party host, or check out our Amazon wish list.
What is the difference between the three camps? Aside for the difference in age groups the biggest difference is that Day Camp is not an over night camp like ROC and SIBS. Each camp is very similar in that we have themes throughout the week, days packed with fun camp activities, pool days, arts & crafts, lots of camp songs, bonding time, and healthy snacks! Each camp will have it's own little twist but the spirit of them all is just the same.
How are medications and allergies handled? Each camp has their own Med Shed. At the over night camps cabins are transformed into a medical room in the woods, while at Day Camp, we transform part of the Girl Scouts common area into a medical corner. You can take a look at our previous blog to get more details on the Med Shed and the Medical staff.
Medication: All medications, from treatments to pain killers to allergy medications and everything in between is handled by our Doctors and nurses. This holds true for all campers, staff, and volunteers while on camp grounds. Although we might have medications on hand, such as Tylenol, we do not have treatment or allergy medications on hand. We ask each family to pack the necessary amount to get through the day or week.
Allergies: Allergies and food sensitivities are also taken very seriously. All our camps are peanut free and we are continuously working to find fun, healthy options. We understand that many parents are becoming more aware and conscious of ingredients in our food and we are continuously making efforts to be just as mindful. As much as we try not to, sometimes we miss the mark, so please, if there are very specific snacks or foods you would like your child to eat that we may not have on hand, please send them (especially at Day Camp). Help us, help you by having that conversation.
Sunscreen: One of the scenarios we discussed on the Fireside Chat was the topic of sunscreen! We have sunscreen available in the Med Shed, but like food sensitivities and requests, we do ask that if there is a specific brand of sunscreen you would like us to use for your kiddo, please send it with them to camp. Even at Day Camp we re-apply sunscreen a couple times throughout the day so if we don't have something specific provided by the parents, we use what we have on hand.
What if my child has school during the week of camp? We understand the importance of school as well as the additional challenges many of our kiddos face within the school system. We do not take missing school lightly. We have been working to strengthen our collaboration with the local school districts so that your children can fully participate worry free. Here at TSF we also help advocate with the schools and teachers so that your children can benefit from camp without the worry, stress, and anxiety of missing school.
We do our best to schedule all our summer camp sessions so there is minimal disruption or over lap with the school year. One of the challenges we face is that there are many different tracks throughout the county and at times it is impossible to find weeks that everyone is out of school at the same time.
Please let us know how we can advocate or assist in making the arrangements so your child can get the best of both worlds and we will be happy to provide some help and guidance.
How do we select volunteers? We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and loving group of volunteers. Every volunteer, no matter how long they have been with us, must apply to each camp, every single year. Every year we also do background checks on every individual. We invite volunteers to camp who demonstrate that they are able to put the campers first.
We are also fortunate to have such a diverse group of volunteers that continues to grow. We have our volunteers that are 18 years and older as well as our Leadership In Training program who provide additional support. With the understanding that we have kiddos with different gait challenges, as well as, dual diagnoses, we are mindful in maintaining a low camper-to-counselor ratio.
The diversity in our volunteers can be seen in our ages, backgrounds, experiences, abilities and professions. Many of our volunteers are even former campers themselves so they understand what it's like to be in your kiddos shoes.
Do volunteers have any training or prior experience? Yes and yes! Even volunteers who have been with us for 20+ years must attend training EVERY YEAR for EVERY CAMP they will be volunteering with. Our training is in collaboration with our medical staff as well as other professionals so that all volunteers will be able to identify and respond accordingly to potential concerns, behavioral changes, and other challenges. Our training is thorough and ever evolving. We address everything from communication styles and how to engage all our kiddos to how to collaborate with the Med Shed to ensure they are all included and embraced.
We pull from the educators, teachers, counselors and other professionals every year to make sure our training is up to date and accurate.
What kind of activities will my child be doing? Although activities vary from camp to camp, overall your child will be having fun filled days with everything from talent shows and arts & crafts to pool time and rock climbing. There are movies and games, talk times and singing. We work for about 6-8 months in advance to come up with fun filled days that work for every camper. We understand not all campers will love every activity but we also brainstorm ways we can ensure that all kiddos will be engaged and involved.
Every year we have kiddos who are on treatment, with ports, with gait issues, wheel chairs, or have additional diagnoses such as ADD/ADHD and Austim. I say that to let you know that we have seen
just about everything and we have yet to run into a situation where are unable to have a kiddo fit right in. I think part of the magic about camp is that everyone has as sense of belonging.
What does transportation look like? Depends on the camp. For the over night camps TSF provides transportation. There is a designated pick up/drop off location at Dave & Buster's and we get everything taken care of. For Day Camp families are responsible for the pick up and drop off each day. We do have some families that have a longer commute and will partner with one another to carpool but TSF will not provide transportation for Day Camp the same way we do for the overnights.
Can we visit our children at camp/volunteer at the camp? As tempting as this is, we do not allow visits or volunteering while your kiddo is at camp. We really want this to be a time for everyone in the family to have a week of independence. We have everything on hand, including medical staff that can take care of any immediate concern. We work hard to provide as much transparency as possible. If there were ever an emergency situation we would not hesitate to inform you.
Does my child get homesick? We are often asked if the kiddos get homesick and our answer is just get them on the bus! As parents we do everything in our power to make sure our kiddo is smiling, happy and ok so when we see our kiddo hesitate or we have our own sense of hesitation we tend to hold our kiddos back and keep them home. My philosophy is always this: try it. Try it and give it your all. Worst case scenario is that the week passes and your family decides it wasn't for you. But can you imagine the best case scenario? The best case scenario is that your kiddo loves it and gets to share stories with you about all their favorite buddies and camp counselors. Best case scenario is that they want to give it another try next year. Best case scenario is that your kiddo gets to experience a few days of normalcy. Best case scenario is that your tribe grows a little bigger this year.
It reminds me of the first time I had to leave my kiddos at day care or for a work trip. We love our children, we love their presence and we love sharing moments with them. When we have kiddos who have additional needs we also get very attached to the idea that we need to care for them 24/7 and we aren't used to having someone come along and say "don't worry, we got you". I get it. We get it. We're here for your part of the process too if this brings you any feels of unease or anxiety. I wish there was a magic phrase I could tell you that would magically make the unrest subside but unfortunately, it doesn't quite work that way. The best way to explore all of this is to give camp a shot and allow us to be a part of your journey. Which leads to our next question:
What are parent socials? Parent socials are something new we are implementing for the over night camps. We are well aware that when the kiddos go away from camp many parents are left with unfamiliar time on their hands we aren't quite sure what to do with. This has caused some parents anxiety or even a sense of restlessness. We have other parents who don't experience these feelings but would also love to get out of the house and hang out while their kiddo is at camp but aren't quite sure where to go. So, we are providing the solution. While your kiddo is enjoying their time up at camp and building their tribe, we want you to get out, put your feet up, let your hair down and grow your tribe too! Check with TSF to see what day of the week it will be held during your kiddos camp session and come join the fun!
What are the Seany Movie nights/mornings? As I mentioned earlier, we have events throughout the year in benefit of our camp sessions. The movie nights/mornings are hosted by TSF and held at the Ultra Star Cinema in Hazard Center. We show movie premieres such as Star Wars, Captain America and our most recent one, Avengers End Game. All proceeds benefit our camp sessions. This year we will have some more coming up like Lion King, IT, and I believe Star Wars to finish off the year.
What is the CARES Initiative? The CARES initiative was established a couple years ago to address the needs and concerns of the whole family. We recognize that our campers face the regular every day struggles and complications of growing up as well as the additional complications that cancer may bring. We also recognize that the entire family is impacted by a diagnosis, not just the parent or the patient. We wanted to expand some of the healing that happens at camp throughout the year. Last year this led to the birth of our first ever Thrivership Symposium that was a great success. I describe it as a wrap around approach that works to provide healing to everyone who has been impacted. We are working to normalize conversations about cancer, provide education, and to help get rid of the taboo side of things. From this we have re-established this blog, produced helpful podcasts, began our Fireside Chats on FB live and have become more intentional with our camp activities.
We know there are probably more questions out there and we encourage you to ask. We will work to address every question and concern you may have so we can continue to connect and build our tribe together. Please feel free to check out our website www.TheSeanyFoundation.org to see more information about everything we have in the works. There is also a commonly asked question section that you can take a look at.
Got a question? Let us know!!!
Q & A:
We had many questions about the logistics of camp: How is medication distributed? What are the goals of camp? Which sessions can I register for? Are there staff members who can speak Spanish? How are allergies managed?
We'll start with the basics. Who can register for camp and how can I register my kiddos? Our three main camps are for kiddos ages 4-17. We have three different sessions Resident Oncology Camp (ROC), Sibling Camp (SIBS), and Day Camp. Day Camp is for our younger kiddos aged four to about ten. The reason I say about ten is because once kids have reached eight they begin attending our over night camps, ROC and SIBS. Kiddos between the ages of 8-17 go to one of our two over night camps. ROC is for the children who are current or former patients, while SIBS is for their siblings.
The goal, for each camp, is to provide the entire family with a break. A break from the norm, a break from challenges and worries. A week to be "normal" (whatever that really means). A week to just forget about the big C word. A week to be in community with people who get it. A week to just be with and build with your tribe.
Are there capacity issues for camps? Day Camp has a little more flexibility than the over night camps. Additionally, ROC and SIBS are the first two camps so they tend to fill up earlier in than Day Camp. If you are considering camp, even if you are on the fence, I always recommend registering. If you register and change your mind you can always decline but if you don't give yourself the chance you might end up missing out on something great. Always give yourself options so you can be empowered to make the choice you truly want to make.
How much does camp cost? For who? YOU? It's absolutely FREE!! We work year round to raise money so that none of our campers have to pay a penny. On average it costs us $500/camper to attend camp but we won't ask you to pay a penny.
Can I donate to camp? There are many ways to can contribute to the success of camp. TSF hosts events throughout the year in benefit of the camps including: movie nights, chef's fest, our gala, golf tournament, 5K and 3rd party fundraisers. Additionally, each camp has a wish list that we put together for all of our camp activities and arts & crafts. If you would like to give back to camp we encourage you to attend an event, become a 3rd party host, or check out our Amazon wish list.
What is the difference between the three camps? Aside for the difference in age groups the biggest difference is that Day Camp is not an over night camp like ROC and SIBS. Each camp is very similar in that we have themes throughout the week, days packed with fun camp activities, pool days, arts & crafts, lots of camp songs, bonding time, and healthy snacks! Each camp will have it's own little twist but the spirit of them all is just the same.
How are medications and allergies handled? Each camp has their own Med Shed. At the over night camps cabins are transformed into a medical room in the woods, while at Day Camp, we transform part of the Girl Scouts common area into a medical corner. You can take a look at our previous blog to get more details on the Med Shed and the Medical staff.
Medication: All medications, from treatments to pain killers to allergy medications and everything in between is handled by our Doctors and nurses. This holds true for all campers, staff, and volunteers while on camp grounds. Although we might have medications on hand, such as Tylenol, we do not have treatment or allergy medications on hand. We ask each family to pack the necessary amount to get through the day or week.
Allergies: Allergies and food sensitivities are also taken very seriously. All our camps are peanut free and we are continuously working to find fun, healthy options. We understand that many parents are becoming more aware and conscious of ingredients in our food and we are continuously making efforts to be just as mindful. As much as we try not to, sometimes we miss the mark, so please, if there are very specific snacks or foods you would like your child to eat that we may not have on hand, please send them (especially at Day Camp). Help us, help you by having that conversation.
Sunscreen: One of the scenarios we discussed on the Fireside Chat was the topic of sunscreen! We have sunscreen available in the Med Shed, but like food sensitivities and requests, we do ask that if there is a specific brand of sunscreen you would like us to use for your kiddo, please send it with them to camp. Even at Day Camp we re-apply sunscreen a couple times throughout the day so if we don't have something specific provided by the parents, we use what we have on hand.
What if my child has school during the week of camp? We understand the importance of school as well as the additional challenges many of our kiddos face within the school system. We do not take missing school lightly. We have been working to strengthen our collaboration with the local school districts so that your children can fully participate worry free. Here at TSF we also help advocate with the schools and teachers so that your children can benefit from camp without the worry, stress, and anxiety of missing school.
We do our best to schedule all our summer camp sessions so there is minimal disruption or over lap with the school year. One of the challenges we face is that there are many different tracks throughout the county and at times it is impossible to find weeks that everyone is out of school at the same time.
Please let us know how we can advocate or assist in making the arrangements so your child can get the best of both worlds and we will be happy to provide some help and guidance.
How do we select volunteers? We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and loving group of volunteers. Every volunteer, no matter how long they have been with us, must apply to each camp, every single year. Every year we also do background checks on every individual. We invite volunteers to camp who demonstrate that they are able to put the campers first.
We are also fortunate to have such a diverse group of volunteers that continues to grow. We have our volunteers that are 18 years and older as well as our Leadership In Training program who provide additional support. With the understanding that we have kiddos with different gait challenges, as well as, dual diagnoses, we are mindful in maintaining a low camper-to-counselor ratio.
The diversity in our volunteers can be seen in our ages, backgrounds, experiences, abilities and professions. Many of our volunteers are even former campers themselves so they understand what it's like to be in your kiddos shoes.
Do volunteers have any training or prior experience? Yes and yes! Even volunteers who have been with us for 20+ years must attend training EVERY YEAR for EVERY CAMP they will be volunteering with. Our training is in collaboration with our medical staff as well as other professionals so that all volunteers will be able to identify and respond accordingly to potential concerns, behavioral changes, and other challenges. Our training is thorough and ever evolving. We address everything from communication styles and how to engage all our kiddos to how to collaborate with the Med Shed to ensure they are all included and embraced.
We pull from the educators, teachers, counselors and other professionals every year to make sure our training is up to date and accurate.
What kind of activities will my child be doing? Although activities vary from camp to camp, overall your child will be having fun filled days with everything from talent shows and arts & crafts to pool time and rock climbing. There are movies and games, talk times and singing. We work for about 6-8 months in advance to come up with fun filled days that work for every camper. We understand not all campers will love every activity but we also brainstorm ways we can ensure that all kiddos will be engaged and involved.
Every year we have kiddos who are on treatment, with ports, with gait issues, wheel chairs, or have additional diagnoses such as ADD/ADHD and Austim. I say that to let you know that we have seen
just about everything and we have yet to run into a situation where are unable to have a kiddo fit right in. I think part of the magic about camp is that everyone has as sense of belonging.
What does transportation look like? Depends on the camp. For the over night camps TSF provides transportation. There is a designated pick up/drop off location at Dave & Buster's and we get everything taken care of. For Day Camp families are responsible for the pick up and drop off each day. We do have some families that have a longer commute and will partner with one another to carpool but TSF will not provide transportation for Day Camp the same way we do for the overnights.
Can we visit our children at camp/volunteer at the camp? As tempting as this is, we do not allow visits or volunteering while your kiddo is at camp. We really want this to be a time for everyone in the family to have a week of independence. We have everything on hand, including medical staff that can take care of any immediate concern. We work hard to provide as much transparency as possible. If there were ever an emergency situation we would not hesitate to inform you.
Does my child get homesick? We are often asked if the kiddos get homesick and our answer is just get them on the bus! As parents we do everything in our power to make sure our kiddo is smiling, happy and ok so when we see our kiddo hesitate or we have our own sense of hesitation we tend to hold our kiddos back and keep them home. My philosophy is always this: try it. Try it and give it your all. Worst case scenario is that the week passes and your family decides it wasn't for you. But can you imagine the best case scenario? The best case scenario is that your kiddo loves it and gets to share stories with you about all their favorite buddies and camp counselors. Best case scenario is that they want to give it another try next year. Best case scenario is that your kiddo gets to experience a few days of normalcy. Best case scenario is that your tribe grows a little bigger this year.
It reminds me of the first time I had to leave my kiddos at day care or for a work trip. We love our children, we love their presence and we love sharing moments with them. When we have kiddos who have additional needs we also get very attached to the idea that we need to care for them 24/7 and we aren't used to having someone come along and say "don't worry, we got you". I get it. We get it. We're here for your part of the process too if this brings you any feels of unease or anxiety. I wish there was a magic phrase I could tell you that would magically make the unrest subside but unfortunately, it doesn't quite work that way. The best way to explore all of this is to give camp a shot and allow us to be a part of your journey. Which leads to our next question:
What are parent socials? Parent socials are something new we are implementing for the over night camps. We are well aware that when the kiddos go away from camp many parents are left with unfamiliar time on their hands we aren't quite sure what to do with. This has caused some parents anxiety or even a sense of restlessness. We have other parents who don't experience these feelings but would also love to get out of the house and hang out while their kiddo is at camp but aren't quite sure where to go. So, we are providing the solution. While your kiddo is enjoying their time up at camp and building their tribe, we want you to get out, put your feet up, let your hair down and grow your tribe too! Check with TSF to see what day of the week it will be held during your kiddos camp session and come join the fun!
What are the Seany Movie nights/mornings? As I mentioned earlier, we have events throughout the year in benefit of our camp sessions. The movie nights/mornings are hosted by TSF and held at the Ultra Star Cinema in Hazard Center. We show movie premieres such as Star Wars, Captain America and our most recent one, Avengers End Game. All proceeds benefit our camp sessions. This year we will have some more coming up like Lion King, IT, and I believe Star Wars to finish off the year.
What is the CARES Initiative? The CARES initiative was established a couple years ago to address the needs and concerns of the whole family. We recognize that our campers face the regular every day struggles and complications of growing up as well as the additional complications that cancer may bring. We also recognize that the entire family is impacted by a diagnosis, not just the parent or the patient. We wanted to expand some of the healing that happens at camp throughout the year. Last year this led to the birth of our first ever Thrivership Symposium that was a great success. I describe it as a wrap around approach that works to provide healing to everyone who has been impacted. We are working to normalize conversations about cancer, provide education, and to help get rid of the taboo side of things. From this we have re-established this blog, produced helpful podcasts, began our Fireside Chats on FB live and have become more intentional with our camp activities.
We know there are probably more questions out there and we encourage you to ask. We will work to address every question and concern you may have so we can continue to connect and build our tribe together. Please feel free to check out our website www.TheSeanyFoundation.org to see more information about everything we have in the works. There is also a commonly asked question section that you can take a look at.
Got a question? Let us know!!!
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