Welcome!
Welcome to my Camp Heart Connection Campership Challenge Page! My name is Jourdan Reed and I have been the Camp Director for Children's Cancer Connection for the past six years. Camp has been my pride, my home away from home, and the foundation for so many of my happiest memories. To read more about camp's history, my history with camp, or how to donate continue reading below.
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page and taking the first step in helping me financially support a camp that means so much to so many!
Camp Heart Connection's History
Camp Heart Connection is one of Children's Cancer Connection's largest programs. CCC has been dedicated to providing camps for Iowa children affected by childhood cancer and their families for over 35 years. At Children's Cancer Connection they believe in serving the entire family through the entire journey, which makes their camp programming unique and unforgettable. CCC offers six different camp programs throughout the year including one weeklong Oncology Camp, one weeklong Sibling Camp, two weeklong Day Camps, a weekend Spring Family Camp, a weekend Fall Family Camp, and a weekend Teen Camp.
Last year, Camp Heart Connection returned to full pre-pandemic formatting and hundreds of campers and their families had a blast. Camp programs offer families time to connect with others who truly understand what they're going through and create lifelong memories. They don't have to worry about the cost because all CHC Camps are offered to families at no cost. At CCC, they are dedicated to making sure everyone can experience camp. No one is ever charged any amount to come to camp and they work year round to make sure every camper can have a magical experience!
As the cost of everything is rising, fundraisers like this are more important than event. When you donate through my Campership Challenge page, you are helping ensure every camper can experience the magic of camp!
Jourdan's Camp History
Hello! My journey with Camp Heart Connection started with a simple crush on a boy. I applied to be a volunteer at camp after being told what an amazing place it was by a former camper - my now husband. I was nervous but excited. But I would soon realize that it was one of the best decisions I would ever make. I fell in love - with camp.
My first year of camp I volunteered as a 5-8 year old counselor to the sweetest cabin of boys at Sibling Camp. They are the stepping stones of what set me on the path that I am on today. After my first week of camp, I knew that I wanted to come back every year after. And I did. I continued to be a volunteer with Camp Heart Connection for four years as a volunteer programs staff member or a counselor at both Camp Heart Connection's Oncology and Sibling Camps.
Upon graduating college my family moved to Des Moines where we remained very active as volunteers with Children's Cancer Connection attending teen hangouts, lock-ins, and family programs. When a position with the organization opened up, I knew that I needed to follow my heart and apply. I started my employment with Children's Cancer Connection as the Family Programs Project Manager but during the camp seasons as the Assistant Camp Director, later moving into the Camp Director position where I have stayed. This has been an absolute honor to have served as the Camp Director to all Camp Heart Connection camps and to be able to help provide and ensure a welcoming, healthy, and safe camping environment to all involved!
Year after year, session after session, camp has been a constant joy in my life. I have been honored to be given the responsibility to support and guide volunteers through their time at camp. My cup has continually overflowed with the deepest happiness throughout the years seeing campers embrace on camper check in day, watching new memories and friendships form, and seeing once campers grow to now be volunteer staff members giving back the memories they acquired to the next generation of campers. I am grateful to the caregivers who trust in us to provide a safe and healthly place to their vulnerable children. Simply put - Camp is, and forever will be, my happy place!
How to donate
First, thank you again for visiting my fundraising page and taking the first step in helping me financially support a camp that means so much to so many! To donate click the "Donate Now" button.
