Camp Sunshine inspires hope in families affected by life-threatening childhood illnesses through our unique, supportive program at our beautiful campus on Maine’s Sebago Lake.

 

When a child faces serious illness, the entire family is affected. Camp Sunshine’s program is offered year-round and has the distinction of having been designed to serve the entire family in a retreat model. Since its inception in 1984, Camp Sunshine has offered comfort, hope, and support to over 60,000 ill children, siblings and parents from all 50 US states and 27 countries.

 

The families who come to Camp Sunshine have children diagnosed with cancer, retinoblastoma, a brain tumor, kidney disease, sickle cell disease, other hematologic conditions including immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), aplastic anemia, beta thalassemia major, thrombocytosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (age 21 and younger). A bereavement session is also offered for families who have experienced the death of a child from a supported illness. Camp Sunshine also offers specialized programs for families and individuals with Fanconi anemia, Diamond-Blackfan anemia, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, dyskeratosis congenita / telomere biology disorders and children who have received solid organ transplants.

 

Families attend illness-specific sessions of varying lengths where they have the opportunity to solidify and renew their own relationships while meeting others facing similar challenges. Whether families are looking to try something new in our recreational program, connect with other families or just relax, there is something for everyone at Camp Sunshine.

 

Our unique program attracts families from around the nation - and world; however, the majority of our families have come from New England and the Eastern Seaboard states.  Each year more than 700 families attend Camp Sunshine. 

 

The Camp Sunshine Program is free to participating families.