What Others Say About the Camp Experience

From Parents

“When my son relapsed with brain tumors, we all sat around and tried to find a positive in such a difficult situation. Our older son said that his positive was that, if is brother hadn’t had cancer, he never would have experienced Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®, and that camp has such a strong and positive impact on his life he didn’t see that he would be who he was without it. Thank you so much for making a difficult situation so positive. Thank you to all the wonderful ‘angels’ that make our son feel like he has a normal life.” - Camper parent

“As a mom, I wanted to protect my son when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Then I realized that through isolating him, I made him feel alone in his situation. Going to Camp made us all realize that we are not alone and that there is hope. Camp was a memorable experience for all of us.” - Penny, mother

“My son was such an active toddler before he was diagnosed. It was wonderful to see him get a chance to run around, play (at Camp) and be the active kid he used to be. The counselors were wonderful, and we knew the necessary medical support was there if we needed it. It was also a great opportunity to connect and share stories with other families who understand. Camp was so much fun!” - Sheila, mother

“My husband and I have come to the conclusion that Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® makes a difference in so many children’s lives. There are many camps for children; however, none that I have heard of are as uplifting for these kids as Camp Ronald McDonald. All of you definitely won your tickets to heaven!” – Camper parent

“Hats-off to all of your counselors–kids are having a great time. I received a letter from our granddaughter saying how much fun she is having.  She made new friends. She said, ’There are so many kids like me here!’” - Camper’s grandmother

“Our children just arrived home from Camp and they have not stopped talking about what a wonderful time they all had. We were very nervous about sending them to Camp but are so glad that we did.  They are full of wonderful stories. What a great experience! Thank you all so very much for helping our children grow.” - Camper parents

“Thank you for the break I was given …my first break in 7 1/2 years since my daughter was diagnosed.” - Camper parent

“She wanted to stay longer, she was touched and moved by so many wonderful people, she made lifetime friends.” - Camper parent

“Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® is an experience that they look forward to every year, and you have once again lived up to their every expectation. You have accomplished your goal!” - Camper parent

“Thank all of you for making this experience in my child’s life possible. I’ve been sending e-mail to my son every day. I’ve also been receiving mail from Axel. He shares his feeling of safety and joy there at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®. Thank you for the opportunity you are giving not just to him, but all the children you are working with through the year. I am very excited to talk to him and more, yet to listen to all the wonderful things he surely will have to say about this week. For all these things, once again thank you!” - Camper parent

“Like all mothers I worry too much. I am very happy to see my children in the pictures on the Camp web site. They look so happy in their pictures with Cabin 1 and 2. I am so happy for them and thankful with everybody there that is making this possible for them to experience. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.” - Camper parent

“Both my children love the Camp. We appreciate all that you do. You bring so much joy to our family. Thank you!” - Camper parent

“Thank you and all the staff at Ronald McDonald Camp for all their hard and dedicated work and love they express to our kids. This Camp means so much to them. Especially our son who has been diagnosed as terminal this year. Every moment of happiness he has means so much for us.  Thank you for everything. ” - Camper parent

“Thank you for all your hard work making the last winter session an incredible journey for my children. This was the first time they were in the snow, and they enjoyed it very much—they are still talking about it.”- Camper parent 

From Campers

“I just got home (from Camp) and saw all the pictures on the internet. I had such a good time.  I am glad that I went. I met so many people and had so much fun. I want to thank everyone at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times for everything.” - Camper

“I loved camp so much and I did not want to leave.” - Camper

“Thank you for taking the time and energy to set up an amazing camp like Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®. These years at Camp have been some of the highlights of my life.  Thank you again.” - Camper

From Doctors and Nurses

“Children with cancer suffer an incredible assault on their self-esteem due to the disease and its treatment. At the same time, they may feel isolated from their friends and ‘different’ from other kids because cancer has struck them. Camp provides a place where they can take part in  ‘normal’ activities in a supportive environment that gives them back that self-esteem. By sharing this experience with other kids and even some counselors who are facing or have faced the same threat of cancer and it's impact, they realize that they are not alone and that there are others like them with whom they can share their experiences, fears and pain without being embarrassed or uncomfortable in doing so. It is the effect of these wonderful experiences that happen naturally at Camp that often leads to parents remarking to us that their child was a ‘different’ person when they came back from Camp.”
Stuart E. Siegel, M.D. 
Director, Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
President of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California

“Parents have told me that seeing the jumble of dirty socks and clothes in their child's duffel bag at the end of a Camp session was a great sign of how much fun they had! And then they see that campers return with a renewed spirit...proud of their accomplishments.”
Kathleen S. Ruccione, M.P.H., R.N., F.A.A.N., CPON®
Center Nursing Administrator
Co-Director HOPE Program, Director LIFE Program
Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

“I feel that Camp is as important as any medical treatment. Many times I have seen patients who are socially devastated by their illness who completely ‘emerge from their shell’ when they return from Camp. Camp is also critically important to siblings because it gives them a safe place to be special for ‘who they are’ and not just a ‘brother or sister of a cancer patient.’”
Clarke Anderson, M.D.
Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute

“This time that the family has together lets them share a little part of ‘normal’ family life in an environment not focused on their illness, but on fun.”
Helen M. Case, M.A., R.N.
Executive Director of Hospital Services
Children’s Hospital of Orange County

“My first trip to Camp convinced me that it was a place for growth of all the participants—staff, volunteers and campers. Some patients are eager to go the minute they are invited—others need to be coaxed or even tempted: ‘You get to go swimming and ride horses!’ Some parents are harder to convince than the children. Almost universally, however, the campers return with a new excitement and sense of self-confidence...proud of their achievements, whether it was simply making a new friend, getting to ride a horse, climbing the tower or making a craft for their mother.  The parents often tell me that their child came back from Camp more like the child they knew before the cancer was diagnosed, which makes the parent very happy. ‘Camp’ expresses a respect and acceptance of many different levels of ability and talent, and fosters a climate in which each person can explore his/her own gifts, which sometimes had gone unnoticed or under-developed. All children deserve such experiences, but children who have been robbed of their innocence by the experience of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment perhaps even more so.”
Susan McKenna, M.D.
Los Angeles County Hospital/USC Medical Center

“Starting at diagnosis, you spend time teaching your patients all the things they cannot do. At Camp, you spend time teaching them what they can do. They come back from Camp a changed child.”
Fran Wiley, R.N.

“Camp can really make an impact on a patient’s socialization, both how they see themselves and how others see them. Camp is not only fun, but it is also a meaningful experience.  
When children are diagnosed, they can become isolated from friends, peers, siblings and cousins. Parents want to protect their children from those that could harm them emotionally.  Parents trust their medical environment. Camp provides both an emotionally safe environment and a medically safe environment. Once children go to Camp, sometimes it’s the only thing they look forward to.”
Judith K. Sato, M.D.
Acting Chair of Pediatrics 
Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
City of Hope National Medical Center
Beckman Research Institute

“Camp is a very positive and valuable experience. Patients feel that they are part of a community and can share their similar experiences in an environment that is beautiful and relaxing.”
Jackie Casillas, M.D., M.S.H.S.
Assistant Professor
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology
Director, Long-term follow-up program for childhood cancer survivors at UCLA

“Camp recharges my emotional batteries. For a physician taking care of these children every day, often under difficult circumstances, coming to Camp to see them so happy and active reminds me of what our role in the ‘big picture’ is for these kids and what life is really all about.”
Stuart E. Siegel, M.D. 
Director, Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

“I encourage nurses to volunteer at Camp. Life as a pediatric oncology nurse is challenging in every way. Nurses return from Camp re-energized by the environment and the camaraderie. They re-discover entirely different aspects of themselves and their nursing skills. And they restore their serum fun levels.”
Kathleen S. Ruccione, M.P.H., R.N., F.A.A.N., CPON
Center Nursing Administrator
Co-Director HOPE Program, Director LIFE Program
Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
 
“The reason I have been going to Camp, for nearly the last 10 years, is for the kids---somehow watching them just being kids, despite their illness, makes it worth every minute.”
Clarke Anderson, M.D.
Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
City of Hope National Medical Center
Beckman Research Institute

“The volunteers at Camp are like a family. You build lifelong, unique relationships with all volunteers--doctors, nurses, counselors and staff; relationships that you do not necessarily develop with your colleagues. You get to know them personally and really appreciate all that they can bring to each child.”
Judith K. Sato, M.D.
Acting Chair of Pediatrics 
Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
City of Hope National Medical Center
Beckman Research Institute

“At Camp you get to see and be with patients and their families outside of the hospital setting. You are away from the stresses of the hospital and you can bond with your patients and families in a completely different way than you do in the hospital. It is wonderful to see your patients and families laugh and play together.”
Jackie Casillas, M.D., M.S.H.S.
Assistant Professor
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology
Director, Long-term follow-up program for childhood cancer survivors at UCLA

“Camp is great for nurses because it gives us a chance to see children in their normal state--laughing, doing well, happy. At the hospital, we're on the front line, we see sick kids—it sits heavy on our hearts. It can get depressing and hurts when a child dies. It's easy to get burned out.  When you see the children at Camp, it makes you feel that what you are doing in this field is not worthless. There is some happiness, some success. Each camper shines uniquely. Their talents and their personalities really shine. Volunteering gives you another sense of purpose. It's an amazing experience.”
Mercedes St. Hilaire, R.N.
Children’s Hospital Orange County

“When you work with children with cancer in the hospital, you only get to observe them at times of crisis...newly diagnosed, admitted for intensive chemotherapy, infection or complications. At Camp, I get to see them enjoying their health, while coping with their disease. I love watching the ones who are so quiet and withdrawn while in their hospital bed with their parents at their side, standing up in the Dining Hall and leading their cabin group in their favorite Camp song, or riding a horse for the first time, and many other 'firsts' that they will never forget...and neither will I!  I love Camp!”
Joetta D. Wallace, R.N., M.S.N., CPON®, F.N.P.- C.
Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach

“It's great for parents and kids to see other kids finished with treatment surviving and doing well. It gives them a sense of hope. It gives the kids a chance to be compassionate and caring to others. It makes them ‘normal,’ and not alone. They can be children. There is such bond between all these kids.”
Mercedes St. Hilaire, R.N.
Children’s Hospital Orange County

“Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® makes it possible for a child with cancer to experience camp in a safe, fun environment away from clinics and hospitals, staffed with people who understand their underlying condition but are able to let them forget about it and let them just be a kid at Camp.”
Joetta D. Wallace, R.N., M.S.N., CPON, F.N.P. - C.
Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach