The Goodtimes Project
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Mission Statement
Each year over 15,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer. Camp Goodtimes was established in 1984 to provide a camp environment for children affected by cancer where they can recapture the joys of childhood. Camp Goodtimes hosts summer camps for patients and their siblings: two week-long camps at Camp Burton on Vashon Island for campers from western Washington and Alaska (ages 7-17); and a week-long Kayak Camp for young-adult survivors (18-25) in Washington’s San Juan Islands. A dedicated staff of 200 volunteers and three employees support all programs. The Goodtimes Project is totally dependent on private donations for support. Help us get kids with cancer out of the hospital and into the great outdoors.
About This Cause
The Goodtimes Project programming includes Camp Goodtimes; a no-cost pediatric oncology camp for patients, survivors and siblings affected by cancer. We welcome campers from western Washington and Alaska, ages 7 to 17, for two separate weeks of residential overnight summer camps on Vashon Island. We also offer a weeklong kayak trip for young adult survivors in the San Juan Islands. Each year we serve approximately 225 children and 15 young adults. A dedicated staff of 200 volunteers and two employees support all three programs. Why Camp is Important? Camp boosts self-esteem, independence, and overall well-being. Camps that serve children with cancer have a positive, measurable mental and emotional benefit to the camper and their families. Sharing of similar experiences. Whether a patient, survivor or sibling, camp is a safe place to interact with peers who understand. Camp provides role models who inspire and support campers. Former campers compose nearly a third of our volunteer staff. Their presence and willingness to speak about their own cancer journey is often re-assuring for campers. Support to siblings. Studies have found that up to two-thirds of siblings of cancer patients show symptoms of post-traumatic stress. By providing a nurturing and supportive environment, Camp Goodtimes helps siblings create friendships with others who understand their experiences, and build confidence in themselves. A respite for parents. A child’s life-threatening medical diagnosis can place enormous strain on even the healthiest of marriages. Sometimes a parent must relocate miles away from home for several months during treatment. Other parents may have to fight to hang on to a job to keep insurance benefits. Parents often hide feelings of fear, anger, isolation and sadness that come with a diagnosis so they can present a strong front for their child. The subsequent lack of expression can erode the connection between parents. Knowing their children are in a safe environment provides parents a much needed chance to reconnect. Lifelong memories. Camp truly changes children’s lives. Campers have become best friends after meeting at camp. The Next Step: Ensuring the Future As we look to the future, we want to expand our outreach to create more year-round events that sustain community, provide support, and give patients, survivors, and siblings opportunities to laugh, play, make friends, meet mentors, develop new skills and confidence, and recover some of the “normalcy” stolen by childhood cancer. DONATE When you donate money to the Goodtimes Project, your money will have a real, immediate impact on camp. $15,000 sponsors one cabin $ 1,700 sponsors one camper $ 500 provides an out-of-town child's transportation costs $ 250 supports one child for a day at camp $ 100 provides needed medical supplies $ 50 purchases arts and crafts supplies Donate online at www.thegoodtimesproject.org