Camp Kesem is a national organization that supports children who have a parent or caregiver affected by cancer. There are individual chapters at colleges and universities all across the country, including our very own chapter at Princeton!

Each summer, we provide a free one-week camp for our campers ages 6-17, hosting approximately 50 youth from the surrounding area. This year's camp will take place at Crossroads Summer Camp & Retreat Center in Port Murray, NJ. All camp activities and events are planned by our leadership team's hard work throughout the year.

During the school year, we focus on fundraising in order to ensure there is no financial burden on our campers’ families. Camp Kesem also prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in order to create a safe and supportive space where all feel welcomed.

We all know we get busy during the academic year, and one of the best part of Camp Kesem Princeton is that the time commitment is up to you. You can choose to serve on our executive board, one of our committees, apply to be a counselor for camp, or a combination of these options.

Why do we Kesem? We Kesem because we know that fighting cancer is a group effort that requires support on all fronts. All of our student members, coordinators, and counselors choose to proactively make a difference in the lives of children who experience the harsh realities of a parent's cancer by giving them a summer of connection, support, and the opportunity to be their most authentic selves.

Where: Remote and/or off-campus at Camp Johnsonburg in August

Levels of Time Commitment: 

• Coordinator Board Members meet weekly.
• General Body Members meet every semester.
• Friends & Family Days events happen once every semester.
• Make the Magic Fundraising Gala in the spring.
• Camp Kesem Summer Camp is at the end of August.

Required Trainings:

• General Camp Kesem Volunteers:
  • Working with Minors Training
  • University Background Check Process
  • Two Spring Counselor Trainings
  • Summer Virtual Counselor Modules
• Camp Kesem Coordinators:
  • General Requirements Above
  • Fall Virtual Coordinator Training
• Co-Directors:
  • General Requirements Above
  • Pace Center Service Leaders Onboarding