Where Kids Can Be Kids—Even During Treatment

Ethan was diagnosed with a high-risk leukemia a few months before his third birthday. His mom, Kayleigh, shared her story of his health journey in hospital. Here, she shares how going to camp changed her family:

“Over the past two years, Ethan’s treatment has consisted of daily oral chemotherapy and numerous other medications.

We can do all of this at camp. Treatment doesn’t stop for him, and it doesn’t have to.

The most impactful moment for me was summer 2023 at family camp at Rainbow Lake. We weren’t sure how Ethan would engage with other kids or with the staff and volunteers because he hadn’t had many opportunities before. He came out of his shell that week. I saw a side of him that I hadn’t had gotten to see much of… I saw him get to be a kid.

There is one moment that will be forever etched in my memory and in my heart. I can still feel it. We had just arrived at camp, I had been unpacking our bags and Ethan was at the playground with our family guides and all the other kids. When I went to join him, he ran to me with the biggest smile I had ever seen—he was emitting nothing but joy. I had never seen that before from him.

That memory is my happy place.

Camp was just as much for my husband and me, too. Even though we are fortunate to have a ton of support from our family, having a child go through cancer treatment is incredibly isolating. To have opportunities for us to know our children are looked after at camp, spend time together, and connect with other families who get it, was therapeutic for us. We are just as excited as Ethan to go back to camp. I can’t wait to see Zoey at camp this year now that she is older. She will get to make beautiful memories and probably ask us all the time when she gets to go back—just like her brother does now.

This September marked the end of Ethan’s treatment. After 25 months we got to see Ethan ring the end of treatment bell. So many emotions come at the end of treatment: gratitude, joy, and the biggest being the feeling of relief. Relief that we get to live a normal life again, although, after a childhood cancer experience, life will never be normal again.

Campfire Circle is so special, filled with the most beautiful people who truly make a difference. They have made such an impact on me and my family. Campfire Circle gave my son back parts of his childhood that he would have missed out on. I hope you can feel the impact through my words. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”