Hats off to the following members that drove an hour and a half to spend the day with kids that have a parent affected by cancer: Kristin Hildebrand, Jordan Larson-Burbach, Chloe Ferrari, and Foluke Akinradewo.
We followed up with Kristin Hildebrand about her day at camp and here’s what she said about her experience:
Why is giving back important to you?
Giving back is an opportunity to connect with and learn from those in my community, and a really special experience every time I do it. I’m very thankful for all the opportunities AFH has given me!
What did you do on your recent trip to Camp Kesem UCLA?
When we arrived at Camp Kesem we got a quick tour and introduction to the camp and then we spent the rest of the time with the kids doing different activities. There was an archery station, a dance drama station where we got to help the kids choreograph a dance, and then around snack time we got to sit down and talk with a lot of them before finishing up with some sand volleyball!
What was your favorite part?
My favorite part was when we were with the youngest kids who were ages 5 & 6 at the dance drama station. They were learning a choreographed dance to the Harlem Shake, and they were all so cute and expressive and fun to watch. I also really loved just chatting with the kids at snack time. I lost my own mother to cancer so it was really special to be able to connect with some of them and talk through the difficulties that we have to go through.
What would you say to another athlete interested in giving back this summer?
If you have the opportunity, take it. It will fill up your heart with happiness.
Camp Kesem is an amazing camp made possible by grants from the LIVESTRONG Foundation and the college camp counselors that fundraise for remaining expenses. All the children that participate have either lost a parent to cancer or have a parent in the fight right now. There are 58 Camp Kesem Camps nationwide taking place this summer. Interested in visiting with the kids at a camp near you? Email us for more information.