Kesem
Camp Kesem · About this organization
What you get
Help with camp admission, overnight lodging, meals, activities, peer connection and optional cabin chats.
How to start
Choose a chapter, session, date and location, then fill in enrollment. Have diagnosis confirmation ready.
Good to know
- Camp Kesem is for children affected by a parent's cancer, not a child's own cancer diagnosis alone.
- Session availability and location vary by chapter.
The details, as published
A free 3-to-5-night overnight summer camp for youth ages 6-18 affected by a parent's cancer. Families create a CampSite account, select an open chapter session, complete registration, and upload a physician-signed health form or a recent school or sports physical.
What help you may get
Camps And Retreats
Free overnight camp
Admission to a free overnight summer camp with recreation, meals, lodging, nursing, mental-health support, and trained counselors.
Noncash help · Once Per 12 Months
3–5 nights per award
Can cover
- camp admission
- overnight lodging
- meals
- activities
- No cost to families.
- Children may return year after year until aging out.
- Duration varies by location.
Peer And Emotional Support
Peer community
Recreation and optional cabin conversations with peers who understand a parent's cancer.
Noncash help · Per Event
Can cover
- peer connection
- optional cabin chats
Does not cover
- therapy
Why this may help
Peer And Emotional Support: Optional cabin chats let your child talk with peers who understand a parent's cancer.
Check the main eligibility rules
Diagnosis
B-ALL is in scope. A child whose parent or guardian has B-ALL fits; a child who is the B-ALL patient fits only if another parent or guardian also has cancer.
Age
Age 6 to age 18, measured at service date.
- Families may ask a chapter about a near-age-six exception.
Treatment status
Active Treatment, Post Treatment, Survivorship, Bereavement
- The relevant treatment or survivorship status is the parent or guardian's cancer journey.
- A physician authorization form or qualifying recent school or sports physical must be uploaded before camp.
- All Kesem programs are free.
Where you live and where your child is treated
Where your family lives
You must live in: Kesem chapters operate in 40 states and the District of Columbia; families select an available chapter/session rather than qualifying by a published national residence rule..
- Use the official program finder to identify an available chapter and session.
Where your child is treated
No treatment-location restriction is published.
Where the service, camp, stay, or experience happens
- Chapter camps use off-site camp facilities, typically within two to three hours of the chapter college.
How to get started
Does a social worker or care team need to start it? No. A required care-team start is not published; the family can use the available route below.
Who can start: Parent Or Guardian
- Create a CampSite household account and child profile.
- Choose an open chapter, session, date, and location and complete enrollment.
- Complete and sign the Camp Physician Authorization and Medical Record, unless an accepted recent physical is used.
- Upload the medical document in CampSite before camp and watch for a confirmation email within 24 hours.
Ways to apply or ask
- Online Portal · Open form or page — Create an account, view open programs, and enroll a child.
Documents to prepare
- Physician-signed Camp Physician Authorization and Medical Record, or school/sports physical from within 12 months of camp start.
Availability and timing
| Program | Active |
|---|---|
| Applications | Call To Confirm |
| Funding or space | Limited |
| Application window | Seasonal |
| Last checked | Aug 27, 2026 |
- The 2026 camp season is largely past; CampSite shows only programs currently open for enrollment, so families should use the finder or contact their chapter for the next session.
- Camp registration opens in January each year; individual sessions may fill and use a waitlist.
- Registration confirmation is sent within 24 hours.
Limitations and things to confirm
- Camp Kesem supports children affected by a parent's cancer, not a child's own cancer diagnosis alone.
- Session availability and location vary by chapter.
- Acceptance may depend on the program's ability to accommodate medical or disability-related needs.
- Which chapter sessions are currently open and what additional session-specific forms appear after enrollment selection?
Official sources
Program details were last verified Aug 27, 2026. Availability can change, so check the official program before applying.
- Camp Kesem · checked Aug 27, 2026
- New Family Enrollment for Kesem · checked Aug 27, 2026
- Kesem Frequently Asked Questions · checked Aug 27, 2026
- Camp Kesem Physician Authorization and Medical Record - Summer 2025 · checked Aug 27, 2026