CAMP LIGHTHEART
Camp Lightheart for Children of Breast Cancer
Survivors
2024 Registration Now Open!
August 25-August 28, 2024 at Omega
Institute in Rhinebeck, NY
An annual FREE sleep-away camp for
children of breast cancer survivors or children who have lost their caregiver to
the disease. For children ages 8-15. The only service we know of for children in this
situation. Camp provides a support group for them. They have fun, hike and
participate in sharing circles and verbalize their fears for the first
time.
To Register Your Child or For More Information,
Call: 845-339-4673
Email: hope@breastcanceroptions.org
This unique program offers children the chance to meet others with similar experiences and provides a support group for them. The children participate in various fun activities such as hiking, swimming, arts and crafts, as well as more directly supportive activities such as sharing circles and learning meditation. Our staff is headed by professionals who create a safe place for the children to feel comfortable and secure. Through carefully organized activities, the children are given frequent opportunities to talk about their individual situations, where many verbalize their fears for the first time. Many children do not talk about their fears, and parents tell us that often their children act out because they are afraid of losing the parent they love and need.
Since 2007, Camp Lightheart has been beloved by both parents and children. Many of our campers return year after year. Some of our campers return as counselors as older teens and young adults, valuing their experience here and dedicated to helping the next generation of children.
Breast Cancer Options realized that there are very few services for children of women diagnosed with the disease. Our professional staff helps the children feel comfortable and safe. The camp is held at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY.
Help support Camp Lightheart.
"Camp Lightheart was a huge success and exceeded our expectations" said Hope Nemiroff, Executive Director. "The campers and staff had a lot of fun and made new friends because of their common bond."
The campers are in a safe, nurturing and fun-loving environment with a fantastic staff. The staff consisted of Bob Hausman, MA, a psychotherapist with over 25 years experience as a children’s therapist; Shoshana Narva, CSW; and junior staff Gabriella St. George and Jesse Casamassima.
"Our task here has been to find the right balance between just having fun and providing relief for the kids", explained Bob Hausman. .
Through carefully organized activities, the children were given frequent opportunity to talk about their individual situations. Because they have the common bond of a parent with breast cancer, their feelings of isolation or of feeling different were lessened.
Nemiroff says that Breast Cancer Options is excited about holding the camp again next summer and hopes that they will be able to accomodate more campers and possibly hold 2 sessions.
It is our hope that each child will leave camp feeling less isolated, more supported and most importantly that their hearts will indeed be lightened.