Hello, My Name Is Sunshine

     I would like to start by first thanking everyone who wrote for MIT’s 10 year blogiversary. While reading, I still felt the same awe and inspiration as before I came to MIT-- somehow you all have a way with words that can connect people of all backgrounds. It was these feelings, along with experiencing my mid-MIT-life-crisis, which made me realize that it’s time to stop my passive appreciation of the blogs and start to embrace my role among your ranks. It’s time that I stop worrying about the vulnerability which comes with an open online identity, and start working toward an informative and honest portrayal of my MIT experience. It’s time that I stop procrastinating and start writing in the now.

     I’m finally going to start treating this online audience the same way I do with people face to face: with authenticity, with humor, with care. My past week at Camp Kesem revitalized my philosophy that human connection and communication are some of the most valuable things in life. I’d like to share some of those memories with you.

     As the only current blogger in Camp Kesem, I'm picking up the baton and continuing the story which began in 2007 and has the following chapters to date:

• JUL 1, 2007 - MIT students launch Camp Kesem by Melis A. '08
• AUG 19, 2007 - A grab bag filled with a magical camp and the Big Apple by Melis A. '08
• APR 28, 2010 - Camp Kesem! by Hamsika C. '13
• MAY 6, 2010 - Refreshment by Hamsika C. '13
• SEP 1, 2010 - Withdrawal Symptoms by Hamsika C. '13
• MAY 29, 2011 - Back to Boston by Hamsika C. '13
• FEB 18, 2012 - Cancer by Hamsika C. '13
• AUG 24, 2014 - Hello, My Name is Sunshine by Anastassia B. '16
• Ongoing CK MIT Blog by any counselor

     If you don't have time to read from the beginning, here is the 20-second-summary: Camp Kesem is a national week-long overnight summer camp for children whose parents have or had cancer. MIT students plan and fundraise year-long in order to make this experience free and fulfilling for every child, every year. The students become the volunteer counselors, at a ratio of around 1 counselor for every 2 campers, to create a fantastically fun, warmly embracing, and deeply empowering time. The feelings and impact from this magical week last well into the year, for both campers and counselors. 

     We've been improving and expanding the program every year since the founding of the MIT Chapter. In 2007, CK MIT raised $20,000 to send a limited amount of campers to camp for free. This year, we raised $90,000, had over 100 campers and over 50 counselors, and split the program into two 1 week sessions at a new campsite in Maine to accommodate everyone. I just came back to campus from an extremely successful Week 1 session, and today the campers arrived for the second week. 

     By the way, we all have camp names. Mine is "Sunshine". :) Nice to meet you.

     One of my favorite all camp activities is Color-Messy-Water-Wars, photo below. Imagine this: a game of blue-paint-handed-zombies vs. water-gun-squirting-heroes, a camper trivia match off where the winner decorates a counselor* as a lip-smacking sundae (chocolate syrup, sprinkles, whipped cream, and caramel sauce obligatory), and a grand finale involving hundreds of bags of brightly colored powder as the weapon of affection aimed at your target of choice. Or at anyone and everyone who cannot escape the hectic cloud of pigment that swirls around everyone running and screaming and laughing and throwing rainbows in the air. Beautifully joyous moments.

*I was one of the special select few to experience this transformation. At least I smelled delicious.

     But in addition to exciting entertainment across the board from nature hikes to swimming to dancing, Camp Kesem offers a deeper purpose: to show campers that they are not alone. There are others experiencing the same issues and grief. Empowerment is a time where the whole camp gathers to sit together for hours and share their painful stories about how cancer has affected their lives. Tissues and hugs are passed around. Sometimes the story ends in remission; sometimes it ends with a parent passing away in front of the child's eyes. It is indescribably emotional, personal, and real. We are all there for each other. 

     These two different faces of CK come together to make the magic happen. As counselors, we join because "It's For The Kids", our slogan. We care about selflessly helping others, but in reality, the kids help us too. They teach us resilience in the face of adversity, the strength required to cope and go on, the boundless love that comes with community, family, unity. They are wiser and stronger beyond their years. Here is some of the transformative advice and memorable quotes from this past week:

     This is the end of this blog post, but not the Camp Kesem story. It continues, spreading hope, understanding, and courage to all its participants, their families, and beyond. It may be just a week, but the memories and compassion last for a lifetime. One of my campers wrote a message to me on the last day of camp, and it inspires me to be my best self and aspire to support those in need, however I can. Thank you for reading.