Camp Casco

More kids are surviving cancer than ever before.
With this success comes a new challenge: the life-altering experience of surviving cancer can take a huge emotional toll, leading to fear of recurrence, low self-esteem, poor body image, and challenges relating to peers at school.

Childhood cancer survivors need and deserve long-term support to help get back to childhood and thrive after cancer.

That’s where we come in!

At Camp Casco, we create a space for kids to reclaim their childhood- to laugh and play. All of our campers have been affected by childhood cancer, and suddenly, cancer instantly becomes the least remarkable thing about you.

Camp is a safe and supportive place where no one cares if you look, walk, or talk different. Whether you’re looking to chat with peers about your experience with cancer, or simply exist around other people who aren’t phased by your portacath scar at the waterfront, Camp Casco is a place filled with people who get it.

Camp Casco is a home-away-from-home for childhood cancer survivors. It is a place where kids experience the magic of summer camp with the support and guidance of our outstanding caregivers and the constant supervision of our professional medical team. Our camp family consists of kids at different stages of their experience with childhood cancer … varying widely from kids in active treatment to those who have been off-treatment for several years.

We provide fun, adventure, and friendship to combat the long-term challenges of childhood cancer survivorship, and help kids and families thrive.We offer day camp, a sibling retreat, and overnight camp.

We help kids affected by childhood cancer …

Research shows that summer camps for children with cancer reduce disease-related anxiety, improve self-image, increase independence, build social skills, and ultimately improve psychosocial outcomes. We provide these benefits to New England kids free-of-cost, giving patients, survivors, and siblings the chance to make lasting memories and build lifelong friendships.

Create lasting friendships …

Increase self-esteem …

Focus on fun!

Our capstone programs are annual week-long summer camps in the New England area. Our programs provide opportunities for campers to increase self-esteem, experience independence, practice good teamwork, and forge lasting friendships, all under the supervision of medical professionals and experienced camp counselors.

Every week of summer camp has its own special theme, with corresponding theme days. We use our theme to inspire our daily activities, our decorations, and many of our counselors will even dress up to go with each day’s theme!

At Camp Casco, we create amazing camp experiences that build lifelong connections and a supportive community for childhood cancer patients, survivors, and their families. We offer free social events throughout the year designed to create and strengthen bonds between childhood cancer patients, survivors, siblings, and parents. Previous get-togethers have included indoor rock climbing, swimming, cupcake decorating, bowling, and more! These events are a great way to meet others in the community in a low-pressure fun environment.

Being a cancer survivor is a forever thing.
It’s now part of your identity and something you carry with you always.
It doesn’t go away once you’re ‘cured’.
– Victoria “Scout” Valencia
Camp Casco Overnight Camp Director
& Childhood Cancer Survivor