Happiness Is Camping

History

Founded by Murray Struver, the camp originally served as a retreat for inner-city kids to spend time in the country. The camp's focus changed when the daughter of Struver's close friend was unable to attend because she was diagnosed with cancer. After testing for a week with kids with cancer, Happiness Is Camping began taking form. Since its founding in 1981, the camp has hosted over 18,000 children from over 25 different hospitals.

About

Happiness Is Camping's summer camp program consists of five one-week long sessions held in July. Over the five weeks, the camp hosts nearly 350 children with cancer and siblings. The camp is free to all who attend, and is funded through a combination of private and corporate donations and grants. The camp is staffed by paid counselors and nearly 40 volunteers, including volunteer medical staff from hospitals including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Children's Hospital of Montefiore.

Campers choose their activities, including zip lining, dodgeball, art and crafts, archery, climbing, and swimming. Facilities include nine cabins, a gym, a pool, an office building, the Health Center, an arts and crafts room, a cafeteria, a rock climbing wall, and a zip line that runs above a small lake on the property. All buildings on the property are temperature controlled and handicap accessible.

Medical care

Happiness is Camping’s medical staff includes volunteer physicians and nurses from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Children's Hospital of Montefiore. The Health Center is equipped to handle 24-hour-a-day, ongoing care. The Health Center also serves children requiring chemotherapy and those at risk of bleeding and infection.

Accreditation

• ACA accredited
• Children’s Oncology Camp Association, International - Gold Ribbon Camp since 2011
• KOA Care Camp Grant recipient

References

References

1. "About Us". Happiness Is Camping.
2. Bronck, Jonas. (2011-07-12). "Happiness Is Camping: Just What The Doctor Ordered For Kids With Cancer". The Bronx Daily.
3. Petty, Todd. (22 July 2011). "For kids with cancer, Happiness is Camping in Hardwick".
4. Goovaerts, Diana. (2015-07-29). "Happiness is camping for children with cancer". NJ Herald.
5. "Sign up for Camp". Happiness is Camping.
6. "Happiness is Camping for Kids with Cancer". Middlesex ResourceNet.
7. "Happiness is Camping". American Camp Association.
8. "Happiness is Camping". Children's Oncology Camping Association, Intl.