Camp No Worries returned in June for its 31st summer sessions at Camp Inawendiwin in Tabernacle, where campers ages 6 through 16 from the tri-state area who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis as patients or survivor’s siblings.
Kasey Hall Massa approached her parents at 19 with a bold idea to create a camp for children dealing in some way with a cancer diagnosis.
Eight years before at 11, Massa was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Although the tumor was removed with minimal side effects, the emotional strain of her recovery process made it a difficult time for te Hall family.
She was waiting for school to end and summer vacation to begin in 1986 when she experienced new onset seizures, emergency scans, and multiple evaluations – all leading to the brain tumor diagnosis. Massa was fortunate the tumor could be safely resected, and her life would eventually return to a new normal with her two younger siblings.
But that summer of 1986 was not spent as anyone had planned. As a result of what they learned about Massa’s diagnosis, treatment and recovery process, the Halls established Camp No Worries – with the passion and determination of Massa – in 1995.
“They were supportive,” Massa recalled of her parents and entire family, adding at the time of her diagnosis, there were no such camps available. In its first year, Camp No Worries hosted 14 children for four short days where cancer “did not exist.”
During the week of June 23, Camp No Worries returned for its 31st summer at Camp Inawendiwin in Tabernacle, where campers ages 6 to 16 from the tri-state area who are dealing with a cancer diagnosis – whether as patients, survivor’s siblings or a bereaved sibling – enjoyed a worry-free five days.
“We had 85 campers this year,” Massa boasted.
Camp No Worries (CNW) is run solely by volunteers. Nearly 70 of them, including pediatric oncology nurses, social workers, cabin counselors and program heads have been selectively chosen over the past 31 years for their experience and enthusiasm in working with children who have cancer. This year, CNW had 22 former campers – 14 of them cancer survivors – on staff.
Each of them displays the characteristics any parent would expect of someone spending a week with their child: commitment; honesty; courage; perseverance; respect; and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of responsibility.
“We had 68 full-time volunteers and 38 part-time,” noted Massa, adding that CNW is one of a few camps open to children affected by cancer.
Over the past three decades, the camp has given hundreds of campers a summer experience to remember.
The June week was filled with favorite camp classic activities like swimming, boating, arts and crafts, archery and land sports. This year, Camp No Worries celebrated summer with a week of magical worlds and surprises. The theme was the magic of a camp where campers visited a new mythical place each day and learned about different camp potions, tricks and creatures.
“For the past 31 years, Camp No Worries has been providing children affected by a diagnosis of cancer with a safe and fun place where to just be kids and forget about their worries,” noted Massa, camp president and executive director. “From swimming, boating and cooking to arts and crafts and more, our camp gives campers the true sleep-away camp experience.
“Our mission is to provide our campers with an environment built on camaraderie and understanding, because everyone knows first hand what it’s like to live with cancer.”
Reflecting on the camp’s 31 years, Massa is always moved when former campers either come back to help as staff or make a donation. The average cost for each child to attend Camp No Worries is $1,200, but volunteers work tirelessly to ensure no family has to bear that financial burden of camp.
Funding for the camp depends on the generosity and financial support of community organizations, businesses, foundations and individuals to provide each child a free week of summer camp.
To support a camper or volunteer, visit https://www.campnoworries.org/support/become-a-sponsor/.
