A week-long camp was offered for kids who have family members battling cancer. It was a chance “for kids to just be kids.”
Camp Genesis goes from July 7-12 and is located at the Scott County Family YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln in Blue Grass, Iowa
Zach Klipsch, Executive Director at Camp Abe Lincoln said Camp Genesis gives the kids a chance to be around peers in similar situations. Each morning at the camp, they get to talk with counselors from Gilda’s Club and the rest of the day is devoted to usual camp activities.
“It’s all about the relationships they build with each other and with the staff,” said Klipsch. “It’s one of the more emotionally charged weeks but it’s also one of the neatest ones for us to build these really strong relationships.”
Klipsch said this year there are over 60 campers and more and more attend the camp each year.
According to a spokesperson from Genesis Health, the usual camp fee is donated by Genesis and there is no charge to campers.
Genesis Health System, Gilda’s Club of the Quad Cities, and the Scott County Family YMCA work in conjunction to create the camp experience.
Director of Genesis Cancer Care Institute, Sally Werner, said the camp is a relief to parents facing illness or financial concerns because of the illness.
“If we can relieve some of the stress and concern a cancer patient may have about children or grandchildren, we are creating a better healing environment for that patient.”