Camp Agape Northwest
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Mission Statement
Camp Agape Northwest provides a weeklong camping experience for any children afflicted with cancer, their families and necessary medical staff. Camp Agape Northwest (CANW) is a family experience that fosters an opportunity for enjoyment and learning through activities that are enhancing and affirming. It is an opportunity to socialize and yet be independent; and an opportunity to develop self-esteem and self-confidence in a safe and trusting environment. • Camp Agape Northwest is a weeklong camp provided at no cost for the entire family with a child battling cancer. It is open to their parents/legal guardians, and to all their siblings, step-siblings and legal foster siblings. CANW is open to families of all religious faiths and nationalities. Campers and their siblings range in ages from infancy up to 18 years (and parents or guardians of any age). Families are invited to attend up to two years; we serve approximately 20 families each summer. • Camp Agape Northwest strives to provide one counselor (or “special buddy”) to each child.
About This Cause
Camp Agape Northwest gives children with cancer a chance to feel normal, siblings a chance to feel special, and parents a time to be together. Since 1997, Camp Agape Northwest (CANW) has provided a week long camp for children with cancer and their families. It is a family experience that fosters family bonding. CANW provides the entire family the opportunity to have an escape from the challenges of having a child with cancer. CANW serves a population of average of 20 families (100 campers) and volunteer staff of about 125. Camp Agape Northwest is provided at no-cost for the entire family participating. It is open to any child receiving cancer treatment within the state of Washington, their parents or legal guardians, and any siblings, step-siblings or legal foster siblings. Families are invited to attend up to two years. Families are recruited through social workers and child life specialists and other health care professionals at pediatric oncology hospitals throughout Washington. Many families attend camp through word of mouth from previous attendees. Undergoing cancer treatment is disruptive to families as one parent typically bears the brunt of care giving, sometimes requiring that they stay at or near the hospital with an ill child while the rest of the family is at home. This separation can last for weeks or months. The financial burden of treatment can add additional stress to the family. Camp Agape Northwest gives families an opportunity to reconnect as a family unit and provides a respite from the emotional toll of cancer treatment. Programming activities at CANW are designed to encourage family bonding and include children of all ages with their parents. For all program activities, consideration is given to the cancer children’s low immunity and potential allergies. The goal of all of our programming is to provide a safe, fun, and positive experience for all. Activities and entertainment also are used to enrich and facilitate camaraderie between the families, so they can identify with each other and receive support from other families in similar situations. CANW seeks to provide positive memories that families will cherish for years to come.