A regular newsletter, "Pawprints," keeps all COCO friends in touch. It helps to ease the pain and fear of ongoing medical treatment during the year. Our campers establish close friendships while at camp and know that the support of their new friends is there for them all year long. To receive Pawprints at your home or business, Contact Us and email your request.
In an effort to make more community groups aware of the camp, a Camp COCO DVD is made available to groups upon request. Contact Us to request your copy today! Camp COCO is a member of the Children's Oncology Camps of America, which coordinates communication between these certified camps and helps develop guidelines for their operation.
Camp COCO
A Special Camp for
Special Kids
All children need a chance to share
fun and recreational activities, to build lasting friendships, to develop
self-confidence and independence. That's
why Camp COCO, located in the heart of Illinois, was
founded in 1986 by the Department of Pediatrics at Southern
Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield.
Listen to audio file of WFMB radio host Sam Madonia interviewing Camp COCO Campers Alex Harkins and Meghan Heisler
All about Camp COCO
Camp COCO (which stands for Children's Oncology Camp Organization) welcomes children ages 6-16 who are afflicted with leukemia, other cancers and blood disorders. The siblings of young campers (ages 6-10) also are welcome at the camp. Every effort is made to make the experience as comfortable and fun for the children as possible. At Camp COCO, we believe children can do almost anything they want. Our camp provides them a chance to "get away from it all." The time away from home allows for a break from hospitals and over-protectiveness.
Each summer, children participate in a variety of activities during the week-long camp: swimming, fishing, boating, horseback riding, arts and crafts, archery, nature hikes, visits from local celebrities, games and campfires. The campers receive special care from the pediatric staff at SIU School of Medicine as well as other area health professionals. A pediatric oncologist, as well as a full staff of trained, qualified counselors who are trained to work with children of all ages, are on-site at all times. They help the children enjoy their summer camp experience and give them the emotional support they may need while away from home.
Diseases like "ALL" (acute lymphocytic leukemia), solid tumors, hemophilia and sickle cell anemia make these children different from their friends at a time when being different is especially uncomfortable. At Camp COCO, children are free to be themselves and to talk about things that hurt or scare them. Most of all, they can share thoughts and feelings with friends who understand. This is the first time many children have been away from home. Our enthusiastic counselors help the campers develop a positive self-concept, experience the out-of-doors, socialize with others, and become more aware of their potentials and abilities. Besides the memories and friends made, there are plenty of arts and crafts projects, camp clothing and photographs of all the campers that go home with each child.
There is absolutely no charge for campers to attend Camp COCO. Generous philanthropic activities support the camp. Contributions from many individuals, service clubs and businesses to the COCO Children's Cancer Fund help pay the approximate $500 cost for each camper.
