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 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 one weekend Teen Camp.
2023 is an exciting year for Camp Heart Connection as they "Welcome Home" the pre-pandemic format. 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 in which campers can bond with other campers who understand what they're going through, regardless of where they are in their journey. Once a camper comes to camp, they will forever be part of the CHC family.
Any donation, no matter the size, makes such a difference. When you donate through my Campership Challenge page, you are helping ensure every camper can experience camp!
Haley's Connection
I joined this amazing organization a couple years ago after hearing all of our UIDM kiddos talk about how much they love camp, and after attending I totally see why. With the end goal of being a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse, CHC seemed like a perfect fit.
My first year at camp was cancelled due to COVID, but for my official first year, I was on the Programs Team! Programs is responsible for bringing the hype, singing songs on stage as loud as we can, leading camp activities, and being a liasion to Aunt Fifi and Mortimer. That year was family style, so it was so fun to see parents get silly with us and really understand why camp is so magical. Watching all of the connections made between the kids and the parents was so so so special. I loved running all around camp and making sure everyone was having the best time ever. My Programs Director even awarded me the "Nomad Award" because every time he turned around, I was with a new family. I have attended Spring Family Camp since then and for this upcoming summer, I will be a counselor for the bigs and the littles (teens and 5-8)! I am so excited to be right there to experience the magic of camp and the sorrows of what cancer means to these kiddos. Camp is such a family and genuinely feels like a big group hug all week long, and I cannot wait to see what the future brings!
2023 Goal
I celebrated my birthday at camp last year, and will be celebrating again, only this time it's the big 21! To celebrate this, I am asking for 21 $21 donations (about $450) before my birthday on August 14th!
