Programs

CAMP PERIWINKLE
         About Camp Periwinkle
         The Campers
         The Benefits
         How Can I Join the Fun?

          
CAMP YOLO
         About Camp YOLO
         The Benefits
         How Can I Join the Fun?

ARTS & CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM
         About Arts  Program
         The Benefits
         How Can I Join the Fun?

LONG TERM SURVIVOR PROGRAM
         About Long Term Survivor Program
         How Can I Join the Fun?

 

FAMILY CAMP- Newest Program

In 2006, The Periwinkle Foundation and Texas Children's Cancer Center identified a need to develop additional programming for families that offers emotional support and networking.  Family Camp was designed to meet the needs of the entire family unit as they collectively grapple with the emotional roller coaster of a pediatric cancer diagnosis.

 

Periwinkle held its first Family Camp in February 2009. The camp creates an environment in which participants gain tools to make them stronger survivors and stronger families.  It also gives parents and guardians the opportunity to witness and participate with their child or children in activities they may have thought were impossible for their child or children post cancer diagnosis.  Family Camp programming allows and encourages families to spend healing time together creating treasured family memories and allows them to get to know other families who are experiencing or have experienced similar issues.  It helps them find normalcy while grappling with the myriad of emotions that accompany a pediatric cancer diagnosis and the ensuing treatment.

 

The results of the inaugural camp are best described in the comments from the families attending:

 

"Now that Family Camp is over, I feel ready to battle cancer again because the other children and families have given me strength and hope that we too will survive." - Parent, Family Camp

 

"Before I came to Family Camp, I had a bratty attitude with my parents and with my sister who is the patient.  Coming to camp, I felt that this time it is not all for my sister. I learned that my mom and dad love me the same way as my sister." - Sibling, Family Camp

 

"Each beautiful and happy memory we made (at Family Camp) displaces some of the sadness and guilt we feel because of the things we (and our kids) missed out on through the years of therapy and hospitalizations." - Parent, Family Camp