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This is a sponsored post on behalf of Angel On My Shoulder
Summer Camps Help Kids Affected By Cancer
Summer is just around the corner and while both kids and parents anxiously await a much-needed vacation, there are a few others who need something more…a break from the heart-wrenching challenges they face every day as a result of a family member who is battling, or who may have lost the battle, with cancer.
Angel On My Shoulder is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that has established a number of cost-free camps, both summer and year-round, that were designed to address the needs of young people whose lives have been affected by cancer through the illness or passing of a close family member (parent, sibling, or grandparent).
Angel On My Shoulder weekend camps are funded through donations. so that everyone who wants to attend may do so. They provide kids with an opportunity to meet others like themselves in a well-supervised atmosphere of understanding.
“When a family is affected by cancer, the focus has to be on the patient. Too often though there are children who are also experiencing loss or confusion,” said Lolly Rose, founder of Angel On My Shoulder. “That’s where Angel On My Shoulder comes in. We’re helping these kids feel good and have fun with others they can relate to; to see their faces light up again is an amazing feeling.”
Angel On My Shoulder offers five different weekend camps for kids who have a close family member who is battling cancer. Camp Angel is for kids ages 7-12; Camp Teen Angel is for teens ages 13-15; Camp Angel Adventures is for older teens ages 16-18; and, Camp Angel Adventures Extreme is for 16-18 year olds who want to experience more extreme activities, and Camp Hozhoni, is a family camp for families with a child 18 or younger who has cancer.
The purpose of the camps is to give kids the chance to meet other kids who are in the same situation and give them the opportunity to participate in activities tailored to their age group that will provide many happy memories.
Summer camps include swimming, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Winter camps feature snowshoeing, ice fishing, dog-sledding and sleigh rides.
Angel On My Shoulder also sponsors two retreats for adults: Angel Care and Healing Angels. Angel Care is for Cancer Caregivers, and was created with the express purpose of giving cancer caregivers a respite from the often times grueling work of caring for a loved one with cancer. The retreats are held several times a year and provide activities such as yoga and discussion sessions to help these selfless individuals give back to themselves. Healing Angels is for cancer survivors who are in remission. The intent is to provide them with a weekend of mental, physical and spiritual healing that will contribute to their growing sense of well-being.
“I am constantly inspired by the people I meet through Angel On My Shoulder from donors and volunteers to those families whose lives we touch,” added Rose. “This community is quick to lend a hand and help one another and our organization is very thankful for that.”
To learn more about Angel On My Shoulder watch this video
or click on these links:
http://angelonmyshoulder.org/programs/
http://angelonmyshoulder.org/camps/
http://angelonmyshoulder.org/volunteer/
Hundreds of individuals have been affected in a positive, life changing way by the cost-free camps and retreats sponsored by Angel On My Shoulder. Here are just a few of their stories.
“Meeting new people at camp is so wonderful because you don’t just get to spend the weekend with such cool people, but you also get these new friends to help you through anything. I’m honored to support my friends through any hard times, and it’s even better when you get to visit each other outside of camp because you have such a great connection through camp!”
Alyssa Sullivan
A camper who has attended Camp Angel, Camp Teen Angel, Angel Adventures and will attend Angel Adventures Extreme this summer.
“I have had some unforgettable experiences at camp…during those weekends the people did not just become friends, they became part of my family. I would personally like to thank everyone who helps run this amazing camp. It changes lives!”
Kim
A former camper, future counselor
“I wanted to meet others who knew my situation and could relate to what was going on in my life…. I found that it was easy to talk about my situation because the others knew what I was talking about. It also helped in my grieving process after my mom passed away.”
Nicole King
A former camper and current counselor
“This experience was amazing (never being to a support group or anything for myself before), I met some wonderful people that I will never forget.”
Rhonda
Angel Care participant
