Kesem at IU seeks $5,000 to send 10 Monroe County children to free cancer-impacted summer camp

Mary Orr Atlas and Jonathan Orr, development coordinators for Kesem at Indiana University, presented the chapter’s programming and finances and asked the Jack Hopkins committee for $5,000 to fully cover the annual cost for 10 Monroe County campers.

"The number that's really important is $500, which is what it costs to send one child to camp and then also offer year-round support to them," Mary Orr Atlas said, walking the committee through a per-camper breakdown that includes lodging and meals, mental-health stipends and year-round programming costs. Kesem provides two one-week free summer sessions and continuous year-round supports, including bereavement resources and care packages.

The presenters described volunteer-driven programming, national oversight for standards and professional staff for mental-health and nursing needs at camp. Committee members asked about permanence of camp sites and camper recruitment; Kesem staff explained camps are rented for weeks each summer and recruitment occurs through applications, outreach events and word-of-mouth.

The committee thanked the presenters and did not vote during the meeting.