By Hannah Melcher
Jordhan Kieres, who serves as co-director of Bellarmine’s Camp Kesem chapter, said she resonates with the children who participate in the free camp for children whose parents have been affected by cancer.
“I joined Camp Kesem because I thought it was such an amazing program,” Kieres said. “But I never thought I would be impacted like how I was.”
After joining the Camp Kesem team, Kieres’ mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“What is so crazy is that now I, too, am one of the kids that I have the opportunity to mentor,” Kieres said.
Kieres said she gets to go on the same journey as the kids who are a part of the camp.
“I struggled with my mother’s cancer at 19,” Kieres said. “I cannot imagine how an 8- or 9- year-old deals with it.”
Camp Kesem’s main purpose is to provide a free summer camp and counseling resources for these children.
Bellarmine graduate Kenzi Gooley saw in 2019 how powerful the Camp Kesem program was on other college campuses and decided to start a chapter at Bellarmine. Camp Kesem is a national nonprofit organization with chapters set up across the United States.
“Kenzi was the one who brought this awesome program to life,” said Lauren Mackey, who also serves as co-director.
Bellarmine’s Camp Kesem chapter will hold its virtual camp June 21 to June 25.
Gooley, who was a member of the Bellarmine women’s soccer team, inspired many of her teammates to become involved with the program.
“During our first year, it was mainly just members of the soccer team,” Mackey said. “But now two years later, we have all different years and age levels involved.”
Mackey said Bellarmine’s Camp Kesem chapter has 16 student coordinators and 30 general body members.
“We have been able to put on many more events this past year thanks to that involvement,” Mackey said.
Mackey said her family has a history of cancer.
“Having a first-hand experience with the effects of cancer really inspired me to become involved with Camp Kesem,” Mackey said. “It really takes a village to rally around someone who needs this support, and I want to help be a part of that village.”
Bailee Witt, who serves as operations coordinator, said planning for Camp Kesem takes place all year.
“Our coordinators meet once a week,” Witt said, “and we meet with the general body of members once a month. There are plenty of people involved in making sure camp is the best it can be.”
Witt said the biggest tasks in planning are creating a theme and developing activities around the theme.
The theme for 2021 is Traveling Around the World.
For each day of camp, the team will highlight a specific country with crafts and activities relating to it.
Covid has prevented members from holding an in-person camp since the Bellarmine chapter started.
“All of our pre-camp activities and camp itself have been online so far,” Mackey said. “So it has been a bit of a challenge for us.”
Mackey said despite these limitations, the team does not get discouraged.
“It is such an important cause,” Mackey said. “Even if we only have two kids come to camp, that is still two kids that need our support, and we are grateful to offer the help they need.”
Bellarmine’s Camp Kesem chapter is one of two in the state. The other chapter is located at the University of Kentucky.
As a beginning chapter in the midst of Covid, Kieres said the team was worried about raising enough money for the first camp.
“We were blown away when we raised over $12,000 on Giving Tuesday,” Kieres said.
Bellarmine’s chapter is the only first-year chapter to reach its donation goal, which was $8,000, in the organization’s history.
For Camp Kesem 2021, the chapter has raised $12,000 out of its $25,000 goal.
Witt said Bellarmine’s Camp Kesem chapter advertises mainly through its Instagram account.
“Because we are a non-profit, we have to raise all our money on our own in creative and fun ways,” Witt said.
Make the Magic is one of Camp Kesem’s larger fundraising events.
“We work with our advisory board to get big donors to come together and help raise money for camp,” Kieres said.
During Make the Magic, companies and organizations donate gifts or gift cards that the team can auction. Those who attend the event will participate in different auctioning events or games to receive these prizes.
Make the Magic will be April 16 over Zoom. More information about where to purchase tickets will be on the chapter’s Instagram page. The event will be broadcasted from Owl Creek Country Club.
The team also has an Amazon wish list for supplies needed at camp.
“We will be starting a Wish List Wednesday on our Instagram,” Witt said, “and we hope this will make others aware of what we still need for camp this year.”
Mackey said planning for camp can be hectic but is necessary for a successful week.
“These kids are counting on us to make this camp happen,” Mackey said, “so all the hard work is worth it in the end.”
Mackey said her favorite part about Camp Kesem is the ability to inspire a sense of community for the kids.
“We have a section of camp called Empowerment,” Mackey said. “It is a dedicated time for us to go deeper with the kids about their feelings related to their at-home situations. Everyone ends up crying because it is just that powerful.”
Kieres said many may not know the power of Camp Kesem until they become involved.
“This program is so amazing,” Kieres said. “Once you hear what it is about, it does not leave your head. Knowing that there is a program in place to help these children impacted by cancer is incredible. How could one not be involved after hearing that?”
Kieres said she encourages students to consider joining the Camp Kesem team.
“Knowing you can be a part of making this difference is so empowering,” Kieres said, “especially as a college student.”