Camp Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders working with children and families who are coping with the aftermath of a cancer diagnosis of a parent. They are the largest national organization dedicated to this unique population with over 100 college chapters in the country. There are 5 million children coping with a parent's cancer diagnosis.  Kesem supports these children through and beyond their parent's cancer with free and creative programs, helpful resources, meaningful connects, and a consistent community of support. 

Dr. Kerri Ashurst has served as the UK Chapter Student Advisor for Camp Kesem since its formation in 2016. Camp Kesem KY has held 8 camps:

1) July 2017 with 19 children attending

2) June 2018 with 28 children attending

3) July 2019 with 31 children attending

4) 2020 - the pandemic forced us to modify our camp program and create "Kesem at Home." Kesem at Home was piloted nationally in 2020 and served over 8,600 children across the country through over 140 virtual sessions. UK held Kesem at Home programs in both 2020 and 2021. 

5) July 2022 with 29 children attending

6) July 2023 with 38 campers attending

7) June 2024 with 46 campers attending

8) June 2025 with 41 campers attending

For the new school year (August 2024 - June 2025), our UK Kesem Chapter set a goal to raise raise of $50,000. The UK Kesem student board was able to raise nearly $38,300. We surpassed our goal to have 40 campers register for our 2025 camp for the second year in a row. It has been a very successful year.In addition to camp we also held a Spring 2025 Friends and Family Day with 10 former campers and their families in attendance. We also held a major fundraiser gala in Spring 2025 and surpassed our goal of 70 attendees (72 total). 

A photographer came and is putting together a camp video from this year. This will be a critical marketing and presentation piece that we have not had previously. An exemplary quote from our young (age 6-9) campers this year was "Kesem is...{jumped up in the air} ...EVERYTHING!" A mom of 2 campers who stayed a short time after the camp with counselor to talk stated, "I guess it isn't a terrible way for {son} to end his Kesem time. He may not say it, but you guys mean a lot to him. You filled something he didn't know he needed." 

We are projecting that by 2026 we will outgrow our current camp venue. It will be a challenge to find and adjust to a new location but it is a good problem to have! We are excited that camp evaluations and projections are giving us the prospect of growing and serving more families in need. Additionally, we have now had 2 campers who have "graduated" and aged out for our first time since we began our UK-based programming in 2016. They both plan to attend college in the fall and were very excited at the possibility of returning next summer as counselors. They spoke about how much the camp Kesem program has had an impact on them, their friendships and leadership skills, kindness toward others who are coping with difficult circumstances in their lives, problem solving, conflict resolution, and more. .