Welcome to my Campership Challenge page!! You may have clicked this link and are now wondering, "why should I donate?" Well that is a question I would love to answer! Almost eight years ago I got introduced to a non-profit called Children's Cancer Connection when I started volunteering for one of their largest programs, Camp Heart Connection, and below I share the story of how this non-profit became my second family, a second home. If you are already committed to donating without reading my story feel free to click the "donate now" button on my page!

CCC'S BACKGROUND

Camp Heart Connection is one of Children's Cancer Connection's largest programs. Its mission is to provide campers affected by childhood cancer and their families a secure environment to connect, grow and create lifelong memories. CCC has been dedicated to providing camps for Iowa children affected by childhood cancer and their families for over 30 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, two weekend Family Camps, and a weekend Teen Camp.

2023 is an exciting year for Camp Heart Connection as they return to pre-pandemic formatting. 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!

Camp Heart Connection is a safe place at which attendees can bond with other campers who understand what they’re going through, regardless of where they are in their journeys. Once a camper comes to camp, no matter which session, they will forever be part of the Camp Heart Connection family. 

When you donate through my Campership Challenge page, you are helping ensure every camper can experience camp!

JOURDAN'S CONNECTION

As I said above, almost eight years ago I was introduced to a non-profit called Children's Cancer Connection when I started volunteering for one of their largest programs, Camp Heart Connection. My first year of camp I was on the Programs Team! My job for the week was to bring the hype, sing songs as loudly and silly as I could, and lead activities for all campers. Though large groups had scared me prior to camp, I knew these kids deserved the best week of the year, which apparently included my off key voice and poor dancing skills. Even before I had finished the first song I looked out past the stage and could see the pure joy songs could bring as the whole camp joined together. Everyone was acting goofy, no one was being judged, there were so many smiles. Throughout my first week I witness the highs of the magic of camp and the sorrows of what cancer means to this community, but what I witness the most was the support, care, and love everyone had for everyone else. It didn't matter where you were from, what your or your sibling's diagnosis was, or even what your favorite food was for lunch that day. Everyone was there as one big family. That is the best way that I can describe how Camp feels. It feels like the biggest, warmest, group hug you could imagine. It was after my first week of camp that I knew I was going to be a part of Camp Heart Connection for a long time. Just as the saying goes, "once someone comes to camp they will forever be part of the Camp Heart Connection family".

In these past eight years, I have continued to do what I knew I was meant to do after my very first week of camp. I spent all of my college years attending Camp Heart Connection as a volunteer staff member for their Oncology and Sibling Camps as a counselor or support staff member. Each week solidifying my love for the organization and the growth of my new family tree. Upon graduation of college, although I graduated college with two degrees, I instead followed my passion of camp and applied for a job with Children's Cancer Connection. I was beyond excited for my new role as the Programs Manager and during the camping season, the Assistant Camp Director! Just a year after starting at CCC, with the previous Camp Director leaving to pursue other career dreams, I took a chance and applied to be the Camp Director myself. It has been three years since I took that chance. The best three years I could ask for. I now get to be the biggest part of the Camp Heart Connection impact on families and volunteers. I am not the one standing on the stage anymore, or the one holding hands with young campers as we walk through camp, I am not the one that gets to tuck kids into bed, or even the one who stays up late listening to the campers share emotional stories. I am none of those things anymore. Instead I am the one who connects with the volunteers empowering them to bring comfort, warmth, and empathy to the campers. I am the one who supports from the background, and it has brought me more joy than I could have ever imagined. Camp Heart Connection has not only brought me joy but it has given me lifelong friends, a second family, and a second home.

This year, Camp Heart Connection is going back to its pre-pandemic structures of camp for the first time in four years. This year will be the first time in four years that I will be able to stand in the background and watch friends who haven't seen each other in a year linger in their embrace because the connection they have built in their one week of camp has been deeper than those they have built in their every day life. This year is special. That is why this year's Camp Heart Connection theme is "Welcome Home - Reunited At Last".

Camp is free to all campers who attend. Camp offers a free opportunity for campers all throughout Iowa to come together and connect with other campers who are going through a similar journey as them. Those opportunities are priceless. Your donation helps fund those opportunities, creating a lifelong impact on all who attend camp. My very first year of camp I was able to raise over $2,000 for camp and this year I would love to do the same. Any donation, no matter the size, is impactful.

If you have any questions about Camp Heart Connection's programs, how to donate, or how to get involved in other ways, please do not hestitate to reach out to me at Jourdan@ChildrensCancerConnection.org. Thank you so much for visiting my page and considering donating to Camp Heart Connection.