Thursday, July 7, 2011
Founded in 1976, the American Cancer Society’s Reaching Out to Cancer Kids, or R.O.C.K. Camp, celebrates 35 years of bringing children with cancer together for a week of fun and adventure at summer camp. R.O.C.K. Camp was the first camp of its kind exclusively serving cancer kids in the United States.
This year, 25 kids from Miami Dade County who have endured the day–to-day challenges of surviving cancer will be setting off for a week of fun, friendship and the opportunity to go camping at R.O.C.K. camp in partnership with Camp Boggy Creek.
On Thursday, July 7, 2011, the American Cancer Society and the campers’ families will bid the children goodbye as they board the bus for Camp Boggy Creek in Eustis, Fla. The send off will take place at the Dade Unit of the American Cancer Society located in Doral (8095 NW 12th Street, Suite 200, Doral, FL 33126) from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Miami celebrity artist Stephen Gamson will paint an exclusive piece of artwork with the children before they board the bus.
The campers are children with cancer ages 7 -16 who are given an opportunity to experience the excitement of summer camp without feeling different from other children. While in a safe environment, children enjoy all the traditional camp activities, including canoeing, swimming, music, arts and crafts, archery, sports, fishing, talent shows and campfires. Campers attend free of charge.
This summer more than 280 children with cancer will experience Camp Boggy Creek. This 232-acre camp near Orlando includes an extensive medical center, medical professionals including pediatric oncologists, dining hall, air-conditioned cabins, arts and crafts center, indoor recreation center, boathouse and docks, horseback riding trails and a heated pool. It’s a sharp contrast to the sterile, stressful medical environment these children have to face in a hospital.
Children from South Florida and the Tampa Bay Area will attend the first camp session from July 7-13. Children from North Florida and Orlando will attend the final session from July 26-August 1.
R.O.C.K. Camp is one of three R.O.C.K Programs offered by the American Cancer Society. Other R.O.C.K. programs include Families R.O.C.K. Weekend and the R.O.C.K. College Scholarship Program.
For more information on the American Cancer Society’s childhood cancer programs, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. For more information about Camp Boggy Creek, call (352) 483-4200 or visit www.boggycreek.org.