Camp

Sibling

August 5 - 10, 2024

Berkshire Lake Camp, Hinsdale, MA

For kids ages 9-17 who have ever had a sibling diagnosed with cancer

Siblings of kids diagnosed with childhood cancer are the stars of the show at this scenic getaway. Our beautiful campsite in the Berkshires gives siblings an amazing camp experience designed just for them.

Every Program is

based in Massachusetts

safe, with Medical Care Onsite

filled with Peers Who Get It

completely Free for participants

A Day At Camp

Getting To Camp

Choose to check in directly at our campsite in Hinsdale, or utilize our free bus in Medfield to transport your child to the campsite. We partner with Local Motion to offer coach buses with comfortable seating, air conditioning, an onboard restroom, and several Camp Casco chaperones to help our campers arrive in style. All drop-off and pick-up options are listed below.

Check-iN: Monday, august 5

  • Location: Memorial School in Medfield, MA

    Check-in: Monday, August 5, 8:00 AM

  • Location: Berkshire Lake Camp, Hinsdale, MA

    Check-in: Monday, August 5, 11:00 AM

Pick-Up: Saturday, august 10

  • Location: Memorial School in Medfield, MA

    Pick-up: Saturday, August 10, 12:30 PM

  • Location: Berkshire Lake Camp, Hinsdale, MA

    Pick-up: Saturday, August 10, 10:00 AM

What our campers say

FAQs

  • Our Sibling Camp is a great option for siblings of kids who have been diagnosed with cancer at any time. Their brother or sister who was diagnosed with cancer does not need to be a current Camp Casco camper, and does not need to be receiving active treatment.

    Participants should be ages 9-17 on the first day of camp, potty-trained, and have permission from their doctor to attend school or camp.

    We are used to working with children with unique needs. If your child has any special considerations, we’ll work with you prior to your camp session to make sure we understand your child’s needs and how we can best support them at camp.

  • No. Any brother or sister of a child who has ever been diagnosed with cancer, who meets all other eligibility criteria, is able to attend. Eligibility does not depend on the cancer patient/survivor’s participation or treatment status.

  • Yes. Any bereaved brother or sister of a child who was diagnosed with cancer, who meets our other eligibility criteria, is able to attend.

  • A well-fed camper is a happy camper. Food provides nutrition and energy, but it’s also an important source of comfort. It can be hard to be away from foods you’re used to eating and surrounded by new things.

    Fortunately, camp food is delicious, nutritious, and best of all, kid-friendly. Many of our campers are self-described “picky eaters”. This is a very common need that we’re happy to accommodate.

    Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served every day in the Dining Hall. Food is served buffet-style, making it easy to adapt to a camper's particular tastes. Campers may take as much or as little of each food item as they like. This allows our campers to see and smell each food before deciding if they'd like to try it, and makes it easy to go back for more. It also makes it easy to assemble food to each camper's liking (sauce on the side? No problem!).

    We also keep lots of nutritious snacks on hand in case campers get hungry between meals. Specific dietary preferences (like vegetarian, vegan, or kosher diets) and food allergies can also be accommodated. Please be sure to note any dietary preferences and food allergies on your camper application so that we may notify the camp kitchen promptly.

  • We follow the guidance of the CDC, our local Boards of Health, and of course, our medical experts, when making decisions about health and safety. Please visit our COVID-19 page for the most up-to-date guidance on our policies and procedures.

  • Berkshire Lake Camp is a newly-built facility nestled along the shores of Lake Ashmere, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the Berkshire Mountains.

    Our cabins feature electricity and bunk beds, with accessible indoor bathrooms. Equipped with a large sports field, a volleyball court, basketball court, waterfront with swimming beach and boating, brand-new cabins and both indoor and outdoor dining, this campsite is the perfect setting for siblings to unplug and unwind.

  • We stay in Berkshire Lake Camp’s beautiful updated cabins.

    Campers are assigned to sleeping quarters in groups by gender preference and age. All sleeping quarters are supervised by trained & background-checked cabin counselors. We use a Truddy System to ensure no two individuals are ever left alone, unless medically necessary.

    Our cabins feature electricity, indoor wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, hot water, and single or bunk beds. Campers may bring bedding from home or use a sleeping bag on their bed - whichever they prefer. If your child requires special accommodations overnight, please contact us to discuss.

  • During inclement weather, such as very warm or rainy days, we’ll move inside. On warmer days, we may provide cooling items such as a personal fan, and increase the number of water activities, to help keep kids comfortable. Be aware that in the case of lightning, swimming and boating will not permitted until deemed safe by our lifeguards.

  • In general, during the camp day, you can expect to receive a few updates via our Campanion app, a special app for smartphones that will allow you to receive photos throughout the day. General updates will also be made on our Facebook & Instagram pages, which we encourage you to follow. Finally, Program Director Krystin “Lo” Whitacre will be available Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM - 12 PM to answer any non-urgent communications.

    If your child needs additional support for any reason during the camp session, we will reach out to you right away.

  • Use this link to start your child’s camper application! Once you submit your child’s application, you will receive supplementary forms that you must complete and return in order to secure your child’s space. Spaces will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date all forms are completed and returned to us.

    If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to us by phone (857-302-2726 x2) or by emailing attend@campcasco.org, and we’ll be happy to help.

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