A summer they’ll never forget.
When a child or teen is dealing with cancer, summer fun is often replaced with clinic visits or hospital stays. At our Summer Camp, there’s no need to sacrifice fun for treatment. A camper can receive chemotherapy in the morning and be on horseback by the afternoon. That’s our goal: to give children with cancer the joy of summer camp just like other kids. Junior Week (ages 7–12) and Teen Week (ages 13–18) each offer a week of fun, friendship, and adventure, with age-appropriate activities.
Why Camp Sunshine’s Summer Camp?
After attending Camp Sunshine, campers bring home more than dirty laundry. They bring home memories and friendships. They bring home stories of achievements that once seemed unattainable (climbing wall, anyone?). They return home with greater confidence and a stronger sense of comfort in who they are and the journey they’re facing. It is amazing how one week at Camp Sunshine can truly make a difference in their lives.
Edith Tomasetti, RN, MSN | Camp Sunshine Camp Director
Edith has been a part of the Camp Sunshine family since attending the very first camp as a camper in 1983. Prior to joining the staff, Edith was a long-time volunteer, serving as a camp nurse and cabin counselor.
Summer Camp Information
Application Process
- Applications for Summer Camp open mid-January
- Separate sessions for ages 7–12 and 13–18
- All programs are offered at no cost to our families.
- CampSite – We use CampSite for all Overnight Camp programs. When you click register, you’ll be directed to CampSite to create a login. This account will be used to register your camper for programs and manage your registrations.
Location and Activities
- All Camp Sunshine overnight camping programs take place at Camp Twin Lakes–Rutledge East, a fully accessible facility 50 miles east of Atlanta.
- Surrounded by peaceful countryside, it features air-conditioned cabins and a welcoming space where campers and families can thrive.
- Campers enjoy classic camp activities like swimming, archery, horseback riding, zip lining, arts & crafts, fishing, canoeing, and more.
Volunteers and Medical Staff
- Over two hundred dedicated volunteers attend camp every summer to make each camper’s experience memorable.
- With a 1:1 ratio of counselors to campers there is never lack of supervision. Camp Sunshine also provides an experienced medical staff consisting of doctors and nurses who specialize in the care of children with cancer.
- Each program also includes a 24-hour on-site medical facility staffed by experienced pediatric oncology professionals from Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, ensuring campers receive the care they need without leaving camp.
- Our Dining Hall is state of the art in the camping industry and provides a wide-range of dietary options and is primarily known for their ability to meet almost any dietary restriction (including Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free, and Gluten Free).
For Parents / Guardians
PRIOR TO SUMMER CAMP:
- Attend orientation for first time and return campers via Zoom Meeting pre-camp
- Have a positive family attitude
- Give gentle encouragement that missing home is “ok” (View Missing Home Resource)
- Avoid phrases such as “If you stay until Wednesday then we will come and pick you up” or “You can call me everyday”.
- Discuss expected camp activities
DURING SUMMER CAMP:
- When writing letters to your child, avoid phrases such as “we miss you,” “wish you were here” or detailed accounts of what siblings and the family are doing
- Ask about camp activities, counselors, special programs, etc.
- Set a positive and encouraging tone in your letter.
- Express your confidence in his/her ability to be away from home and that the counselors are there to assist them if they should need anything.
A Typical Day at Camp
- Polar Bear Swimming/Fishing (optional!)
- Rise and Shine
- Flag Raising / Breakfast
- First Activity Period (maybe horseback riding!)
- Second Activity Period (archery? tennis? arts & crafts?)
- Snack at the Canteen
- Snack at the Canteen
- Third Activity Period (I think I’ll try computers!)
- Lunch and Singing
- Rest Period
- Fourth Activity Period
- Snack at the canteen
- Cabin Time
- Flag Lowering and Dinner
- Evening Program (Is it the talent show or carnival?!)
- Snack
- Everyone in cabins
- Cabin chats
- Lights out
”She actually made friends and got to talk about things with kids that have experienced all the pokes and things that she has experienced.
Grateful Parent
