Camp Sunshine!!

On Halloween weekend Kelly and I ventured up to Casco, Maine to spend the weekend at Camp Sunshine. This was my first time volunteering as a camp counselor and definitely will not be my last. Kelly has volunteered several times and introduced me to this wonderful organization.

For those of you that have never heard of Camp Sunshine, it supports children with life threatening illnesses and their families. Its the only program in the nation whose mission is to address the impact of a life threatening illness on every member of the immediate family—the ill child, the parents, and the siblings. Since its inception, Camp Sunshine has provided a haven for over 30,000 individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

It was such a fun filled weekend with lots of excitement and smiles! I even learned a few things like archery, kayaking, and climbing the rock wall. I was assigned to the teen group which was alot of fun, and was asked to come back again filling the role of a lead counselor!

Saturday was the 9th annual Pumpkin Festival at the L.L Bean store. What an amazing event!!! Not even a major snowstorm could dampen the spirits of 25,000 festival-goers, 250 volunteers, and the more than 40 Camp Sunshine families that were in attendance. L.L. Bean’s campus was aglow as 5,200 jack-o-lanterns were lit in a spectacular display. This festival raised more than $50,000.00 to help support children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

What a feel good weekend, and am hoping to get back for a week long session in the summer!