MEDIA ALERT: Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands Hosts CAMP KEMO

Camp serves children with cancer and their siblings

Editor’s Note: Directions to the camp’s location in Honea Path included. Media are invited to visit the camp any time during the week. Reporters are invited to stay overnight at camp to see an entire day of these special campers. We can provide brief camper and counselor profiles with photos. Please let us know if you are planning on visiting the camp so we can alert organizers.

EVENT:

CAMP KEMO, led by Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands, offers a summer camp experience for children with cancer and blood disorders. CAMP KEMO celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year.

WHEN:

Monday, June 10 through Saturday, June 15

WHERE:

River Oaks Retreat, 180 Youth Camp Road, Honea Path, SC

FACTS:

One of the nation’s first pediatric oncology camps, CAMP KEMO is an overnight camp for children with cancer and hosts more than 100 children each year.

“Our theme this year is ’Time Travelers’ and we are excited about welcoming both new and returning faces. We have created ways for campers to experience going back to the prehistoric era and to dream about the future and space exploration. We also have plans for the kids to experience the 1970s and 1980s. We look forward to a fun-filled week highlighted by horseback riding, swimming and boating, paddle boarding, arts and crafts, Nerf Commander, a video game truck, a color war and a talent show and dance to put the kids in the Time Traveler spirit,” said Cassandra Shea, camp director. Other activities include law enforcement demonstrations, inflatables, a rock wall, zipline and a waterslide at the lake. “We are providing each camper with an opportunity to learn a new skill for the week and kids will be able to choose from many skills, including magic, cheerleading, sketching, fishing, nature hikes and science experiments,” said Shea. “These skills classes are all led by our staff. New this year, our staff and volunteers also will be running/participating in a fundraiser 5K, Run for the Sun, Wednesday morning. Campers will be at the finish line to cheer them on!”

CAMP KEMO is funded by donations. One way to donate is directly through CAMP KEMO’s website: CampKemo.org. Shea added, “There is no cost to the families and each child can invite one sibling. Camp week provides respite for parents caring for children with cancer and gives them a chance to get away, knowing that their children are in the hands of the same physicians, nurses and staff who provide their treatment throughout the year. Hundreds of volunteers contribute to the success of CAMP KEMO.”

About Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands
Prisma Health Children's Hospital–Midlands is South Carolina’s first children's hospital and has more than 150,000 children’s visits each year. It offers more than 30 subspecialties to meet the unique health care needs of children and has central South Carolina's only Children’s Emergency Center. With more than 350 professionals who work exclusively with children, Prisma Health Children's Hospital–Midlands has a team of highly skilled and trained experts unmatched by any hospital in the Midlands. Prisma Health Children's Hospital–Midlands is the place to go for children's medical care, because the best care matters. Visit PalmettoHealthChildrens.org.