Camp YOLO -
The Benefits
Teens with cancer and other life threatening illnesses and their families
suffer emotionally as well as physically from these devastating challenges.
They deal with very adult issues of life and death. Their time is spent at
the hospital, not "hanging" with their peers, undergoing treatments
that rob them of their strength and vitality. At a critical time in their
lives where appearance is everything, they can lose not only their hair, but
also the use of their arms, legs, or cognitive skills.
Camp YOLO seeks to rehabilitate the emotional well-being of teens with cancer and other life threatening illnesses through uplifting activities in a safe environment away from the hospital routine.
They learn the importance of working as a team. Their independence grows as they are encouraged to be more responsible for their own choices and decisions.
An important part of Camp YOLO is the special programming activities where the teens have opportunities to express their fears and needs. After feeling different at school because of how they might look, they discover they are not alone and begin to feel good about themselves again.
"Before I came to Camp YOLO, I felt there was no one else dealing with what I had." - Camper
"I felt in place (at Camp YOLO), like when I'm here, I don't feel different...I feel that everyone cares and loves us." - Camper
"Camp YOLO taught me to love myself for who I am." - Camper
"The most important thing I learned at Camp YOLO is to not have doubts - be confident and live life to its fullest." - Camper
