For Immediate Release
May 16, 2006

Contact:
Matthew M. Hoidal, Esq.
(207) 655-3800
Donna Leith, Development Director
(207) 655-3800
E-mail: mhoidal@campsunshine.org
Web Site: www.CampSunshine.org

Casco, Maine -- Camp Sunshine, one of the only programs in the U.S. to offer a camp vacation for entire families of seriously ill children, has announced its summer program schedule with 13 different camp weeks.

The week-long camp programs, which are offered free of charge to the families who participate, provide a variety of leisure activities while also addressing the challenges of specific illnesses, including rare diseases such as Diamond-Blackfan Anemia, Fanconi Anemia and solid organ transplants, in addition to cancer.

Families primarily come from throughout the Northeastern U.S., with the majority from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Families who wish to apply for a camp program may do so through the organization’s website at www.campsunshine.org. Last year, the camp hosted more than 685 families.

Founded in 1984, Camp Sunshine, located along the shores of Sebago Lake, was the first and is one of the only camps in the nation whose sole focus is serving the entire family, and not just the child who is ill. The programs include 24-hour onsite medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement groups also are offered for families who have lost a child to an illness.

Over the years, Camp Sunshine has attracted families from 44 states and 15 countries, providing a camp experience for more than 20,500 family members. Camp Sunshine, accredited by the American Camping Association, also received the Charity Navigator’s highest 4-Star Rating and was chosen by Budget Travel magazine as one of “50 All-Star Family Camps” in the February 21, 2006 issue.

“It’s a unique vacation for these families,” said Matt Hoidal, executive director of Camp Sunshine. “But it’s also very holistic as the program includes onsite medical and psychosocial support as well as traditional camp activities such as scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, water sports, games and evening gatherings.”

The summer program schedule, which is geared toward families going through specific illnesses, is as follows:


June 10 – 15 Solid Organ Transplant
June 17 - 23 Oncology
June 25 - July 1 Brain Tumor
July 2 - 8 Oncology
July 9 - 14 Shwachman-Diamond/Aplastic Anemia/BMT
July 16 – 21 Diamond-Blackfan Anemia
July 21 - 26 Fanconi Anemia
July 27 - 30 Oncology
July 30 - Aug 4 Renal
Aug 6 - 11 Oncology
Aug 13 - 18 Oncology
Aug 20 - 25 Lupus
Aug 27 – 31 Oncology

The camp also offers programs in the fall, winter and spring and recently embarked upon a capital campaign to build a $14.5 million endowment to expand the organization’s year-round program. In addition, the camp recently announced a summer program in Tucson, Arizona, and a fall program in Warrens, Wisconsin.

For more information about Camp Sunshine’s programs and to learn more about volunteering or making a donation, visit the camp’s website at www.campsunshine.org, or call (207) 655-3800.

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