Camp Kesem is a summer camp for children ages 6-18 who have a parent affected by cancer. Camp Kesem Grand Valley State University has been around for 2 years, making this year our second camp, but my first time attending such a magical place.
Camp Kesem 2019 was indescribable. The magic that happens at camp everyone talked about is true. Every second of the day I felt like I belonged at CK. I felt like I could be myself around people who truly understand the pain/loss/confusion of having a parent affected by cancer.
I was able to be in the Purple Tootsie Roll Unit serving 10-11 year old girls. My unit had 6 girls. One magical thing about Kesem is that everyone is to chose a camp name. I decided on the camp name of Dobby because of the die hard Harry Potter fan that I am.
Every day we had at least one special game/event planned that was “summer camp” like and completely messy. These ranged from color wars, messy games with food, water wars, and rope courses. My favorite was either color wars or messy games.
Color wars had four different components; color games, paint fight, banner throw and color toss. Color games had messy twister, sponge/water gun fight, and bucket head. Bucket head was the most competitive and I even had to put my crocs into sport mode to make sure I could catch all the sponges in my bucket. The sponge fight seemed to be the messy for me because I was targeted by many people staining my clothes, hair, and skin with cotton balls soaked in paint. The banner throw is the empowering part of color wars. Two counselors hold up a giant white canvas with the words “CANCER SUCKS” in black in the middle. The campers and counselors then begin to throw sponges filled with paint at it. This little action was so powerful to me. I was overwhelmed with emotions. I threw my sponge so hard at that banner, I was able to release anger, confusion, and sadness all at once. At the end of the banner throw not only did I feel better mentally and emotionally, but we had a beautiful banner to hang, representing how every single person at camp felt; cancer sucks. After banner throw we celebrate with a color toss like Hindus celebrate life of color. Each person has a handful of color powder and tosses it into the air all at once, creating a beautiful cloud of color.
Messy games is the next day and comes after empowerment, which I will discuss later in this blog. Messy games is exactly how it sounds, but using food. This year we decided to use sugar contents as our mess; cool whip, frosting, chocolate syrup, and sprinkles. We started with pie roulette. We’d pass a pie around the circle and when the music stop you had to pie yourself to stay in or pie your neighbor but step out. I was never pied, until after when it just became a throwing pie frenzy. After that we had first year counselor initiation where we had to dump an ENTIRE container of cool whip on our heads in front of all the campers. My hair was beyond greasy, but I could hear the laughter from the campers while it was happening making it all worth it. Finally, we were able to make a sundae on the heads of our admin team. Purple Unit had the most beautiful sundae so we got to celebrate a victory!
Camp Kesem is just like any summer camp, except we are all there for a common reason. This camp is an escape for these kids. A time to get away and not have to worry about chemo, radiation, the next doctor appointment, if mommy or daddy is too sick to hug. They can go to camp and be their true self without any judgement. All while everyone understanding they do not have a normal life. The one thing we do that is different from normal camp is empowerment. Empowerment is empowering, it is a time to share your story, share what Kesem means to you, and a time to feel raw, powerful emotions with support from your Kesem family. My first empowerment was astounding. I listened and saw what all these campers and counselors are feeling, while being able to share what Kesem means to me.
I truly believe Kesem came into my life at the time I needed it most and it has a way of doing that to everyone. I was able to share my emotional story to help others. I was even told how I was able to open up others hearts because of what I shared. I went into Kesem hoping I could impact one person, but I am positive I impacted more than one. I impacted myself the most and that was what truly is the most important thing to me.
I know Mom is proud of me, I know she is happy what I did that week at camp. I know she is going to be right by my side the rest of my life and as I apply for the tough position of being CKGVSU Director. So please, wish me luck as I begin the process of interviews at CKGVSU for director. It is something I am so passionate about and know I would be an amazing Co to whoever I am partnered with. I hope to be half the director as two of my role models Mickey and Lulu were. They inspired me so much this year and during camp. I am beyond excited to try and achieve the same spectacular camp as they did. To keep Kesem at GVSU running and impacting these kids for years to come. It is all for the kids.
I went into Kesem looking for a place to fit in, but I ended up finding a home. I found my life long friends with so many of the counselors. I never thought I would feel so welcomed and wanted so fast in a place. I have a home I never want to leave in Kesem and I know it will be my hardest goodbyes every year when the seniors leave or even when I leave.
I do need to give a huge shout out to one of my co- counselors Lottie. Lottie and I went into camp having only spoken a few words. I was so nervous being a counselor with her because I wasn’t sure we would have compatible personalities, but she is one of the BEST people in the world. Lottie is compassionate, hilarious, and wholesome. She thinks of others before herself and never fails to make you laugh. I felt so honored to be one of her co-counselors with Scrappy. I saw a side of Lottie not everyone gets to and I was able to show her (and Scrappy) a side of me. I am blessed to have gotten closer to you Lottie and know I have a friend for life in you. I cannot wait to see all you accomplish in life, I will be your cheerleader every step of the way! Bless your heart Lottie.
Always under the same moon and stars,
Hanna
Hanna's Blog 