*This is a sponsored post to raise awareness for Angel On My Shoulder Programs.

Summer is just around the corner and while both kids and parents anxiously await a much-needed vacation, there are a those who need .a break from the challenges they face every day as a result of a family member who is battling (or who may have lost the battle) with cancer.

Angel On My Shoulder is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that has established a number of cost-free camps, that were designed to address the needs of young people whose lives have been affected by cancer through the illness or passing of a close family member. These camps are both summer and year-round. Angel On My Should weekend camps are funded through donations so that everyone who wants to attend may do so. They provide kids with an opportunity to meet others like themselves in a well-supervised atmosphere of understanding and support.

Angel On My Shoulder Camps help Support Families Living with Cancer - jenny at dapperhouse

“When a family is affected by cancer, the focus has to be on the patient. Too often though there are  children who are also experiencing loss or confusion,” said Lolly Rose, founder of Angel On My Shoulder. “That’s where Angel On My Shoulder comes in. We’re helping these kids feel good and have fun with others they can relate to; to see their faces light up again is an amazing feeling.”

Angel  On  My  Shoulder  was  founded  in  1995  by  Lolly  Rose in memory of her late husband Dick, who fought a courageous battle with cancer. Her hope was  that  it  would  become  an  emotional  backbone  for  the cancer-affected  community.

 

 

Angel On My Shoulder Programs offer five different weekend camps for kids who have a close family member who is battling cancer.

Camp Angel is for kids ages 7-12;

Camp Teen Angel is for teens ages 13-15;

Camp Angel Adventures is for older teens ages 16-18;

Camp Angel Adventures Extreme is for 16-18 year olds who want to experience more extreme activities.

Camp Hozhoni is a family camp for families with a child 18 or younger who has cancer.

The purpose of the Angel On My Shoulder Camps is to give kids the chance to meet other kids who are in the same situation and give them the opportunity to participate in activities tailored to their age group that will provide many happy memories.

Summer camps include swimming, kayaking, canoeing and fishing

Winter camps feature snowshoeing, ice fishing, dog-sledding and sleigh rides.

Angel On My Shoulder also sponsors two retreats for adults:

Angel  Care is  for  Cancer  Caregivers,  and  was  created  with  the  express purpose of giving cancer caregivers a respite from the often times grueling work of caring for a loved one with cancer. The retreats are held several times a year and provide  activities  such  as  yoga  and  discussion  sessions  to  help  these  selfless individuals give back to themselves.

Healing Angels is for cancer survivors who are in remission. The intent is to provide them with a weekend of mental, physical and spiritual healing that will contribute to their growing sense of well-being.

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Hundreds of individuals have been affected in a positive, life changing way by the cost-free camps and retreats sponsored by Angel On My Shoulder.

Here are a few of their stories.

“Meeting new people at camp is so wonderful because you don’t just get to spend the weekend with such cool people, but you also get these new friends to help you through anything.  I’m honored to support my friends through any hard times, and it’s even betterwhen  you  get  to  visit  each  other  outside  of  camp  because  you  have  such  a  greatconnection through camp!”  – Alyssa Sullivan – A camper who has attended Camp Angel, Camp Teen Angel, Angel Adventures and will attend Angel Adventures Extreme this summer.

Angel On My Shoulder Camps for Kids and Families dealing with Cancer - jenny at dapperhouse

“I  have  had  some  unforgettable  experiences  at  camp…during those  weekends  the people did not just become friends, they became part of my family. I would personally like to thank everyone who helps run this amazing camp. It changes lives!” – Kim – A former camper, future counselor.

“I wanted to meet others who knew my situation and could relate to what was going on in my life…. I found that it was easy to talk about my situation because the others knew what I was talking about. It also helped in my grieving process after my mom passed away.” – Nicole King -A former camper and current counselor.

Learn more about Angel On My Shoulder Volunteering

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Camps  and  Retreats  are  Cost-Free

All  costs  for  attending  a  camp,  including  bus transportation  to  and  from  the  camps,  are  funded  by  Angel  On  My  Shoulder.

Families that are dealing with cancer experience a lot of financial stress, and the purpose of the foundation  is  to  remove  those  concerns.  Money  is  raised  throughout  the  year  through special events and donations.

Angel On My Shoulder aims to provide as many kids as possible with the opportunity to experience a weekend away from the stresses of cancer.

In  the  same  manner,  Angel  On  My  Shoulder  supports  adult  caregivers  and  cancer survivors through cost-free programs.

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“This is a sponsored blog; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by Angel On My Shoulder to promote awareness for this product”