Success StoryCamp Kesem



Camp Kesem

Author: Kerri Ashurst

Planning Unit: Family and Consumer Sciences

Major Program: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Camp Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. They are the largest national organization dedicated to this unique population. Currently there are more than 100 Kesem chapters in 40 states led by more than 5,000 college student leaders. Dr. Kerri Ashurst serves as the UK Chapter Student Advisor for Camp Kesem, formed in late 2016. Camp Kesem KY had their first camp in July 2017 with 19 children attending and their second camp in June 2018 with 28 children attending. A camp was held in July 2019 with 31 campers with the help of 19 student volunteers from UK. Surveys continue to indicated that almost 100% of camper parents consistently believe Camp Kesem has a positive impact on their family. More than 95% of college student leaders across the country report that their experience working with or volunteering for Kesem has had a significant impact on their teamwork, initiative taking, accountability, problem solving, professional relationship building, time management, public speaking and communication skills. Now that 3 years of camps have been held, UK's Camp Kesem chapter is holding "Friends and family days" where former campers come together to reunite, have fun, and share their experiences. UK's Camp Kesem chapter student directors and advisory board raised enough funds to hold a 4th KY camp scheduled for summer 2020. An in-person camp had to be postponed due to COVID-19, but a virtual camp program for each day was planning and will be delivered in July 2020.  A website was developed for UK's Chapter - https://www.campkesem.org/find-a-camp/camp-kesem-at-university-of-kentucky






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