Sudbury's Camp Casco Back For First Session Since Pandemic Began

SUDBURY, MA — A Sudbury-based summer camp for childhood cancer patients and family members will return in 2021, offering the first-in person session since before the coronavirus pandemic began.

Here's more from a Camp Casco press release:

Camp Casco, a nonprofit organization that builds community for childhood cancer patients, survivors, and siblings in New England, is proud to announce its plan to return to in-person camp in September.

Thanks to a generous partnership with fellow local non-profit One Mission, Camp Casco will offer its first return to in-person programming with One Mission’s Fall Teen Retreat in September 2021. Open to childhood cancer patients, survivors, and siblings ages 16-19, this small weekend getaway to Groton will be what many of Camp Casco’s oldest campers have been waiting for.

"Our campers have already missed out on so much because of the pandemic, and we know that in particular, so many of our oldest campers have missed out on major life events like graduation and prom. Many of these kids have been with us for years and have now missed their last summers as a camper, too. One Mission’s Fall Teen Retreat will allow our oldest campers the opportunity to get back to camp and create lasting friendships and lifelong memories, at least one more time," said Camp Casco CEO Erin Fletcher. "We’re committed to doing everything in our power to get all of our kids back to camp safely as soon as possible. Our campers have missed out on enough already."

While the organization’s annual Day and Overnight summer camps for childhood cancer patients and survivors are still on hold due to the ongoing pandemic, the organization has created a variety of new programs to serve children and families safely during the pandemic, including grant programs, virtual family socials, and pen pal programs. In addition to its new Fall Teen Retreat, Camp Casco will continue to provide free virtual programs to build community for New England kids affected by childhood cancer.

In 2021, Camp Casco will offer two sessions of Camp @ Heart Virtual Camp, featuring virtual cabin hangouts, modified camp traditions, and all supplies provided to participants. In addition, Camp Casco is offering a new offline option for kids who need a break from screens. This spinoff, called Camp @ Heart Unplugged, provides kids with a variety of fun camp activities that can be done entirely offline, while still allowing them to feel part of the camp experience with similar themes and activities. Both programs are offered completely free-of-cost for childhood cancer patients, survivors, and siblings ages 5-17 in New England.

Applications for all of Camp Casco’s summer programs are open now. To learn more and sign up, please visit www.campcasco.org.

About Camp Casco

Camp Casco is a nonprofit organization that offers amazing camp experiences that build lifelong connections for children with cancer and their families. The organization hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including annual summer camps, free family socials, and yearly fundraisers. The name Casco is Spanish for "Hulk" and represents the joy that Camp Casco inspires in childhood cancer patients and survivors. It was founded by Dr. Michael Goldberg and Erin Fletcher Stern in 2014. Learn more at www.campcasco.org