Kesem at MIT is operated by passionate student volunteers from the MIT community. They are carefully screened through a competitive interview process and undergo extensive training prior to camp. Each in-person camp is also staffed with nursing and mental health professionals.
ABOUT US
Kesem supports children through and
beyond a parent's cancer. Our flagship program is Camp Kesem,
a free, week-long, sleep-away summer camp for children ages 6
to 18 who have been impacted by a parent's cancer. Beyond camp,
we provide year-round support with Friends and Family Days and
Through and Beyond Programming.
Kesem at MIT was founded in 2006 by Caroline "Congo" Huang,
and we held our first session of camp the summer of 2007,
with 31 total campers and counselors. Thanks to the hard
work of Congo and many others over the past fifteen years,
we have grown tremendously. In the summer of 2023, we served
180 campers with 120 MIT student counselors.
WHO RUNS THE CAMP?
HOW MUCH DOES KESEM COST?
Camp Kesem and all Kesem programs are completely free of charge to all children who attend.
ARE THERE EVENTS OTHER THAN CAMP?
Yes! We keep in touch with camper families year-round through Friends and Family Days (events on MIT's campus) and other year round programming, including Birthday Cards and Kesem By Your Sides, where Kesem volunteers spend time with campers.
WHAT IS A KESEM NAME?
Each camper and counselor picks a Kesem name, and goes by this name at Kesem events. It could be their favorite food, favorite activity, or just a name they resonate with. They allow us to have fun, play, and give us the freedom to be our true selves, and our best selves in Kesem.
CAMP 2024
Camp 2024 will take place at Camp Watitoh in Becket, MA. Session 1 is August 11-16, 2024, and
Session 2 is August 18-23, 2024.
Applications are processed on a first come,
first served basis. All applications are submitted online at: https://kesem.force.com .
Useful Links
A LOOK INTO CAMP
Check out what a week of camp might look like, from swimming in the lake to archery and rock climbing, to more serious activities like empowerment and affirmation.
JOIN OUR KESEM FAMILY
INTERESTED FAMILIES
Prospective families can email mit.outreach@kesem.org to be added to the family email list and get more information about Friends and Family Days, other year-round programming, and camp applications.
CAMP APPLICATIONS
To apply for Camp 2024, please visit kesem.force.com, click "Pick a Program," and select Kesem MIT.
MORE QUESTIONS
With any other questions, please feel free to reach out to mit@kesem.org.
OUR TESTIMONIALS
I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was five, and for years, I never felt truly understood. When I went to Kesem, however, I was surrounded by people who knew exactly what I was going through, and I no longer felt alone. I was met with support rather than pity, and although it was cancer that initially brought us to camp, it was Kesem that brought us together.
Kesem Camper
When we hear the word “cancer,” sometimes that’s the only thing we hear, but at Kesem, everybody can be their whole, genuine selves. Kesem is screaming camp songs even after you’ve already lost your voice. Kesem is building pillow forts in our cabin when it's raining. Kesem is simultaneously sad and happy crying on a late summer night. Kesem is a warm hug on a cold night. But most of all, Kesem is a family.
Kesem Counselor
Camp Kesem changed my life: it made me feel confident, reassured, empathetic, and most importantly, taught me the power of love.
Kesem Camper
I was blessed with a family I never knew I needed but I am so glad I got them. It gives me hope that from something as serious and troubling as cancer, it can give you some of the best moments and people of my life. For everything I am today and everything I want to become, my motivation will always be Camp Kesem.
Kesem Camper
Thank you to our sponsors!
To learn more about sponsoring our chapter, please contact mit.development@kesem.org
We can't wait to hear from you!