Yearly camps for 80 children with cancer age 6-18

Over time, due to Covid-19, it was really hard to plan a camp voor children with cancer. We did a lot of digital camp-meetings, which were lots of fun.

Digital camp-meeting:

The childred who joined, were happy to talk to people who understand what they are going through. It can be hard for them to find understandig under their close friends and families. Therefore the camps, even though they were digital, are super helpful and important.

One of the siblings that joined on the digital camp, told us that at first she was afraid to join. She was afraid everything would be super sad and that she would be sadder after the meeting. She was very happy she still joined, because the meeting gave her so much support. And she felt less lonely.

A real life camp:

We are so happy that we can plan a real life camp again. Already children are signing up and telling us how helpful the camps are. They recognise stuf and feel supported. We are looking forward to come together, to laugh together, to cry together, to meet new people and to support eachother.

The camps couldn't continue the way they would normally continue. This is all due to the corona-crisis. The children between the age of 6 and 18 years old, still wanted to see eachother though. When you have cancer or when you had cancer, it can be really dificult to talk with 'normal' children your age. 'Normal' childred didn't experience what the childred with cancer experienced. Therefore, camps are really important, also during de corona-crisis.

To make talking to eachother during the corona-crisis possible, we organized digital camps. During these digital moments, the childred talked about a lot of different things:

Children obviously introduced themselves to eachother. A safe (digital) environment was created.

Conversations were about the corona-crisis. What did it do to the children to be at home that much and for such a long time, but also that other people had to stay home that much? When children have cancer, it is possible that they have to stay inside a lot as well. Maybe they're used to staying inside. They're not used to other people staying inside, just like themselves. What does that do to you?

They talked about what they miss and what bothers them.

And they looked at thing from the bright side. Are there things that you like from this period? 

The future was also a topic of conversation. The childred talked about what the first thing they would do or buy when the corona-crisis is over?

Lastly they talked about the things they all do in their spare time. They gave eachother advices and learned about new hobbies. 

It is important to keep in touch. Especially during crazy times as ilness and pandemics. We hope the camps are in real life again soon. And untill now, the digital ways are good as well.