"The circle is closed": The summer camp for children growing up in the shadow of cancer

80 children and teenagers from 5th to 11th grade from all over the country set out for the second year in a row for a dedicated summer camp of the "Jeremy's Circle" association, which supports children and teenagers growing up in the shadow of cancer in their nuclear family. The children and teenagers spent five days surfing, participating in enrichment activities, and forming new friendships as part of "Camp Jeremy." The camp took place at Kimama, on the beach in Beit Yanai.

This year, the camp was held in collaboration between the association and the American "Camp Yavneh," one of the oldest and most well-known summer camps in the USA, which has been operating for over 80 years and served as inspiration for establishing a similar camp here in Israel. As part of the collaboration, counselors from the American camp took part in leading activities for the children and teenagers.

The "Jeremy's Circle" association was established about 18 years ago with the goal of providing children and teenagers dealing with cancer among their nuclear family members moments of respite and quiet from daily hardships. The activities provide the children and teenagers with a break from emotional stress, a meeting with friends who understand them without words, and a sense of belonging that strengthens personal and family resilience.

Today, the association's community numbers over 1,200 families across the country. The peak of activity came in the last year, with over 20 events, with an average participation of about 300 children and parents at each meeting.

In addition, for the second year in a row, the association is sending a delegation of teenagers to Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, as part of a project to promote accessibility and inclusion. The association expects that over 1,000 children, teenagers, and their parents will take part in the various summer activities this year.

For Pamela Becker, CEO and one of the founders of the "Jeremy's Circle" association, this is a special personal connection. Becker and her family members participated annually in "Camp Yavneh" in the USA, and the experience they had there over the years was one of the inspirations for establishing the camp in Israel.

"When we established 'Camp Jeremy,' we dreamed of creating a place for our children where they could simply be children, laugh, enjoy themselves, make friends, and feel that they are not alone in dealing with cancer in their family," Becker stated.

The association's CEO further added that "this year, when counselors from 'Camp Yavneh' joined us, the circle closed for me in a particularly moving way."

"It also moves me to see the children who returned to the camp for the second time alongside new participants," Becker noted in reference to the children participating in the camp. "'Camp Jeremy' for all of us is much more than a summer vacation; it is a place where meaningful connections are formed that last long after the camp ends," the association's CEO concluded.