- Will my child be safe?
Yes! We have a Pediatric Oncology Doctor and full nursing staff at camp for the entire week. They may be the same docs and nurses who care for your child at the hospital! They can dispense your child's meds and will make sure they stay hydrated and get enough rest. There is also a full medical staff during Special Days Partners week. In case of any emergency there is an ER just "next door" in Fremont, less than 20 miles away.
- Where is Special Days Held?
Special Days rents facilities from YMCA Camp Pendalouan, north of Muskegon, Michigan.
Both Summer and Winter camp are held at the same facility.
The address there is:
YMCA Camp Pendalouan
1243 E. Fruitvale Road
Montague, MI 49437
Driving Directions to Special Days Camp
- Where do the young people who attend Special Days come from?
Most of the children come from all over the state of Michigan and Northern Ohio; some come from as far away as Chicago or southern Indiana... but we accept children from anywhere
- What is the cost for the Children to attend Special Days?
Families are asked to contribute a nominal registration fee of $75 per week per camper, but no child is kept away if they can't pay; about 50% of our campers attend without paying anything.
- Does it really only cost $75 to send a child to camp?
No; our actual costs per child are over $1,000 for one week of camp.
- Where does the money come from?
Private donations, memorials, foundations, our own fundraisers, and a few grants. Many clubs and organizations also hold fundraisers for Special Days.
- What type of camping program is Special Days?
A week-long residential children's camp. Children with cancer and siblings each have a separate week. There is a teen leadership program for the teens, and a day camp for young children who are not yet ready for an entire week or for a sleepover camp.
- What do the kids do at camp?
Swim, sail, canoe, hike, arts & crafts, ride horses, sports, ropes courses and the climbing tower, have campfires, dance, play games, make friends, laugh, giggle, sing songs, take off-site trips... and many, many other normal camp activities.
- How old are the kids?
Children attending camp range in age from 6 to 17.
- What about the childrens' cancer treatments?
Special Days has a complete medical staff of oncology nurses and doctors on site to give chemotherapy, administer medications and perform blood tests.
- Will my child be made fun of for the way they look?
At Special Days we leave the attitudes at the door. These kids have seen, and been through, just about every kind of treatment imaginable. They know how hard it can be to fight this disease, or to be teased for how they look while going through treatment. Life-long friendships are formed here.
- Are the kids who attend camp "sickly"?
NO! A few may have amputations, some are bald, and there is an occasional wheelchair, but all have loads of fun and make a lot of noise! They are normal children with unique problems.
- What if the kids are in remission or are cured?
Any child who has had cancer can come to camp, many at camp are off treatment. They serve as excellent role models, a source of hope and inspiration to others.
- Do the children have counseling at camp?
NO! It's just a camp where children can have fun with the natural "therapy" of optimism, understanding and friends who care and share similar needs.
- Why a program for Siblings?
When a child has cancer, the siblings often feel left out or that they are not getting enough attention, but at the same time feel guilty for their feelings! Their sibling with cancer may have passed away, which can be very traumatic to the surviving child. They have unique and often unmet emotional needs, and they thrive on spending time with others like themselves who automatically understand what they are going through.
- Who works at camp?
Nearly 100 volunteers work at camp every summer, from medical staff to cabin leaders. Many are former campers or cancer survivors.
- How many children participate at camp?
In recent years, Special Days has had an average attendance of 225 or more campers during the two weeks of camp. Since the beginning of camp we have served over one thousand different children with cancer, and over one thousand more of their siblings.
- When did Special Days Camps Start?
Summer Camp for Children with cancer started in 1979.
Special Days Winter Reunion started in 1981.
Special Days Partners Camp for siblings of children with cancer started in 1984.
Special Days Teen Leadership Program started in 1996.
Special Days InvestiGators started in 2005.
** Special Days is the second-longest running camp for children with cancer in the world.
- Who started Special Days Camps?
Dr. George Royer, Pediatric Oncologist from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Bob Lemieux, a father of a child with cancer. (That "child" is Nikki Lemieux-Smith, former Executive Director and Emeritus Board Member of Special Days!)
- Is Special Days Camps affiliated with any other organizations?
Special Days is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
- What are Special Days' plans for the future?
We would like to add a family weekend camp, reinstate our International Exchange Program, and improve and expand our Teen Leadership Program.
- How can I find out more?
