Letting kids with cancer be kids again. That's the motto and objective of Camp Quality, a volunteer-driven one week camping program for children fighting the terminal disease.

Camp Quality
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New Jersey Fundraising Coordinator and Spokesman Walter Cooper says the Camp Quality Program is in seven states including New Jersey.  He says in New Jersey, some 50 children ages 5 to 17 are each paired up with an adult companion 24/7 for a week of fun and games.

Cooper says they'll be departing for the camp site in Blairstown N.J. toward the end of June immediately after a Bon Voyage party they host at Centra State Medical Center  in Freehold.

He says when they leave, most of the children are somber and down on themselves  but after a few days of zip-lining, swimming, dancing, entertainment, laughing and joking they have the biggest smiles on their faces. "It's a chance for the children to experience something like that and it's also a chance for the parents to get a little bit of a break."

Cooper says a doctor and several nurses also volunteer that week to address the health needs of the campers.

He says they've haven't had to turn any child away because they were too sick. "Basically we don't turn anybody down. We haven't yet, thank God.  Like I said we take children with cancer between the ages of 5 and 17, there's no cost for the children or their families. We focus on the emotional needs of the children and their families."

There's an immediate need for additional companions, especially male companions.  He says companions must be 18 or over, provide three references, must under a police background check, complete a personal interview in Freehold a few days of training. He says anyone interested in becoming a volunteer companion can contact him at walter.cooper@campqualityusa.org or call 732-547-3551.

There's a fundraising event coming up at The Cabin Restaurant on Route 33 in Freehold will be donating 20 percent of their proceeds to Camp Quality on May 15th from 5 to 10 p.m. He says they also accept donations.

 

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