Teens impacted by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses have fun-filled, virtual camp experience
Sofia with her Camp-in-a-Box for The Periwinkle Foundation’s Camp YOLO
This weekend, 55 campers participated in The Periwinkle Foundation’s Virtual Camp YOLO – a digital take on the organization’s biannual Camp YOLO which is designed to address the unique challenges faced by adolescents living with cancer, renal, cardiac or HIV-related illnesses.
“For two weekends each year for more than 20 years, Camp YOLO has been a place where these young people have a chance to rejuvenate with others who understand their struggles, anxieties and fears,” said Doug Suggitt, executive director of The Periwinkle Foundation. “By the end of a fun packed and emotion filled weekend, we hope campers know they are not alone and that they have what it takes to keep fighting their illness and face the challenges that life sends their way.”
Despite the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Periwinkle Foundation was determined to continue to provide an amazing camp experience for the teens. To ensure the safety of all campers, volunteers, and staff, they reimagined Camp YOLO into a virtual experience which included live activity sessions such as Minute To Win It games, Tie-Dye, and a special comedy session with ComedySportz! These activities were facilitated through live programming on Zoom to encourage engagement and interaction. To enhance the camp experience, each teen received a complimentary Camp-in-a-Box which included supplies and materials to be used during the various activities. Each live session also offered intentional conversation time to ensure teens had the opportunity to connect with one another in conversation about whatever happened to be on their minds.
Camp YOLO is just one of the many programs that The Periwinkle Foundation offers to children, young adults and families who are challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and are cared for at Texas Children’s Hospital. Other programs include Camp Periwinkle, Periwinkle Family Camp, Periwinkle Day Camp, the Long Term Survivor Program, and the Periwinkle Arts In Medicine Program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers.
For more images from The Periwinkle Foundation’s Virtual Camp YOLO, click here. Photos courtesy of The Periwinkle Foundation.