Camp Sunshine Blog

As a child battling cancer and facing the reality of my own mortality at a young age, I missed many opportunities my peers enjoyed. The experiences I did have, however, significantly shaped my perspective and allowed me to develop a level of focus and maturity beyond my years. Looking back, I can see that my health journey and recovery from…

Being a cancer survivor, I have experienced what most adults do not experience until late in life. I grew up knowing cancer clinic appointments meant a day full of eight tube blood draws and three-hour MRI’s. I was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma and a Chiari malformation when I was only two years old. My friends at camp were resilient, which was…

Dear Camp Sunshine Friends, In 1987, when Dorothy Jordan asked me to take the job as Executive Director of Camp Sunshine, I said I would do so for one year. I was a nurse, and I just knew I would return to a career in nursing. That was 36 years ago! It has been an incredible honor to lead this…

Since 1992, Camp Sunshine has been awarding scholarships to alumni attending a college, university, or technical school. This year, 35 very deserving students received a Camp Sunshine scholarship, raising our total number of scholarships awarded to 346 over the past 30 years. They come from hometowns throughout Georgia – and beyond. They will be attending 25 different colleges, universities, and…

I’m the type of person who believes in finishing everything I start. When I first started college back in 2018, I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it to the end of this new path I had started down. I had plans to stay in school until a better opportunity came my way, then drop out and chase…

For 12 years of my life, each summer, I was able to spend one week with people from all over Georgia at Camp Sunshine. As the time to camp drew near, the butterflies of excitement in my stomach only grew stronger. Someone who has never set foot in camp might argue that the location of Camp Sunshine is what gives…

February 24th was a magical evening! I joined with Camp Sunshine alumni, volunteers, parents, supporters, board members, and friends at the Atlanta History Center to celebrate 40 years of Camp Sunshine! Many of the individuals who gathered are a part of the fabric that has made Camp Sunshine possible over four decades. I looked out over the ballroom with such…

Cancer, the word that no one wants to hear. When I was 6 years old, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and my life as a normal kid was completely changed. I didn’t understand why I had to go through this and thought that there were only dark times ahead of me. However, I could not see all the…

Saying the words Camp Sunshine, to any average person, probably wouldn’t elicit any sort of response. And why would you? If you haven’t gotten the privilege to experience camp in any capacity, you don’t know the magic this place holds. Anyone who does know camp would describe it as “home away from home”, “the best place on earth”, “unbelievable”, and…

I recently saw a story on CBS Sunday Morning about what makes a great and timeless love song. It made me think what makes a good “camp” song…what songs remind you of the feeling that camp gives you? That feeling of connections, acceptance, understanding, lasting friendships, sunshine, hope, belonging. Is it a song we sing at camp…The Rainbow Connection, Georgia…