Stories & Memories from Camp Grey Dove
Category: Client Stories
Camp For Siblings of Kids with Cancer and Other Illnesses
Camp Grey Dove is Any Baby Can’s sleepaway summer camp for siblings of children diagnosed with cancer or health care needs. Camp provides a space where these children can put their own needs first, combining traditional summer fun with professional emotional support.
We want to remove barriers that can prevent these children from getting the support they need. Camp is free for families. Many families dealing with pediatric illness are under immense financial strain. We aim to ensure that there is no cost for a child to attend, including transportation to and from camp. Campers receive peer support, counseling, and high-quality camp experiences that would otherwise be out of reach.
What Does Camp Mean to Kids?
Camp Grey Dove provides important time away from the stress of everyday life for kids to learn coping skills, process their emotions and have fun! It also provides important respite and relief for parents who can focus the week on themselves or other children, while knowing their child is in good hands with Any Baby Can.
Hear directly from campers, counselors and staff about what Camp Grey Dove means to them.
Allie F., Former Camper and Counselor
My brother was diagnosed with stage three non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in elementary, I was in preschool. It’s difficult being the sibling of a child with cancer because you want to help make things better again but there is truly nothing you can do.
Camp Grey Dove is so important for kids whose siblings have cancer because it allows them to get space from their reality and focus on having fun and being a kid. It also allows the parents to focus their attention on their child who is sick without feeling guilty not being able to be with their other children as much.
Any Baby Can is truly an amazing organization that has made such a monumentally positive impact on mine and my family’s life. Camp Grey Dove is such a blessing and I can’t even imagine all the good it can keep doing with more funding and support.
Renee Damron, RN, BSN, CLC
Camp Nurse and Nurse Supervisor with Any Baby Can
The campers LOVE camp! It’s a week to put their worries aside and just have fun. The kids are understanding and accepting of each other. Campers petitioned for a longer camp week because they never want to leave on the last day. Many attend camp year after year and lifelong friendships are made.
These kids get such little time where they don’t have to worry about their sibling’s illness or family stress, so having a week away with a lot of fun activities that allow them to just have fun is huge for their own well-being!
I also enjoy the talent show as they are SOOO creative and funny! And the bonfire on the last night is amazing hearing how much of an impact camp makes in their life each year and what their favorite part of the week was.
I feel like I could go on, but I truly believe that for every dollar invested, you will forever be creating a lifelong memory for a child that will always remind them of fun and happy times. Priceless!
Amanda Padilla, Camp Peer Group Support and
Bilingual Social Worker with Any Baby Can
I’m always amazed by the feeling of togetherness and the support the kids show toward each other. There’s so much kindness and love! Last year a mom shared that her oldest son told her that someday he wants to be a camp counselor and show support to kids with special needs and their siblings like he has been shown. Mom cried she was so touched!
One of my favorite moments is seeing the shy kids come out of their shells and show their beautiful personalities. Our staff knows the situations they come from, and we're able to address them here at camp. Just for a little bit, they can enjoy being kids, escaping their problems and stress, and connecting with others who understand them.
Giving kids 5 full days allows extra peace of mind that the world can be a wonderful place: full of support and friendship and caring, non-judgmental people. It is also a break for their parents, who can know their child is safe and having fun. Parents love that their kids come away with so many skills and friendships!
These families typically can't afford a sleepaway camp. And even if they could, there’s no other camp experience like this. Only at Camp Grey Dove can they connect to their peers and receive this support!
Hunter N., Former Camper and Counselor
My brother was diagnosed with cancer when he was three, and I was nine or ten. We didn’t grow up with a lot of money, so when my mom found out about this camp back in 2009, it was a huge deal for us.
Camp Grey Dove was the first place where I felt like I could actually talk about what I was going through. When your sibling is dealing with an illness, you feel like you can’t complain because they have it "way worse." Being healthy while your sibling isn't can honestly feel overwhelming.
As a camper, I just loved the people. That’s why I keep coming back. Some of the counselors were the most influential people in my life. Because of the impact those people had on me, I wanted to be that same light for someone else.
I started my counselor-in-training journey because I saw a need, and I wanted to give these kids the same experience I had. My mom was just happy we were having fun. Having a place where you can forget the stress at home is everything.
Making camp five days again would be incredible! Three days isn't enough to really soak it all in. You only see these people once a year. These are great kids, and they deserve every opportunity they can get.
Yadi Muñoz, LMSW, Camp Support Staff and
Bilingual Licensed Social Worker with Any Baby Can
The camp activities are so engaging—the kids love them! It's amazing to see how immersive enrichment activities help children play, build friendships, and boost confidence. Something very dear to my heart is seeing the shy and quiet kids building more trust as days pass.
Whenever camp is about to end, campers are sad and want extra days. It’s great to hear from parents that kids are looking forward to Camp Grey Dove each year.
Some of the kids come from homes where there is medical stress, financial stress, among other burdensome family stressors. When they come to camp, they get to “escape” from stress-filled environments and get to enjoy just being a kid.
Parents get to focus on themselves, their home or have more time with kids who stay at home. There's a large team of camp staff, Any Baby Can staff, camp leaders, nurse, and counselors who are able to respond to a small number of campers’ needs. The camp environment is filled with joy, safety, and nourishment so that kids can develop connection and sometimes lasting friendships.
Hear Directly from Hunter, Former Camper and Counselor
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2017 KUT Feature
For kids who have a sibling with cancer, camp offers attention and a break from reality.
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