November 2013/2014

So I need to play catch up. It really has been too long and I should at least get all the major details down in my life to look back on. Luckily, I have a running list of things to write about and hopefully I can get them done over Christmas Break. But for now there will be a little bit of overlap!

This November and last I was able to check another state off my list and extend the farthest place I've ever been east! Camp Kesem has a national summit where we get to meet up with all the other chapters across the nation and attend training meetings and make connections and it is just so so fun.

                                   

Detroit 2013

It really re-energizes me and remind why I do Kesem. Saturday night they have a family of MSU/UM campers and parents come and ask questions and it reminds me that Kesem is helping so much more than my 100 campers at BYU. It is CHANGING lives across the nation and maybe someday across the world.

I'm so incredibly grateful to be a part of this movement. I can only imagine where CK is going to be in the next few years! One of the coolest things at THIS year's summit was the rebranding of Camp Kesem! The national organization will be known as Kesem now and Camp Kesem is a project of that organization.

Camp Kesem National says:

We know that supporting children through and beyond their parent's cancer can include programming beyond our flagship Camp Kesem. In the coming years, we'll be exploring some of those options for growth. So to prepare for that growth, we've created an umbrella organization - which we have proudly named "Kesem." Kesem will serve as the parent organization for all of our programming, including Camp Kesem. (But rest assured, there are no changes being made to our signature Camp Kesem program). We're thrilled with the new logo for Kesem - which is reflective of the colors found in Karl. We hope you see the same meaning we do in the shining light rays bursting "through and beyond" in the new Kesem logo.  

Camp Kesem is a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parent's cancer.

Detroit 2014

I Have Never Been So Thankful

I'm in one of those euphoric states. Literally everything in my life brings me joy - sometimes it just takes longer to remember it. And I can spam all of you with my immense gratitude because it's Thanksgiving. And so begins the list...

Brittani's Gratitude List (<yep. I'm 5 years old)

*Christmas music. It just brings such happiness mainly because I'm thinking about home and family and more holiday memories.

*My friends and the wonderful people they are. I'm grateful for when they cook for me. For when they know something's wrong. For when they make feel better. For when they remind me to find happiness. For when they tell me to stop being stupid and brush myself off. And for when I can do the exact same to them.

*Words. It's amazing the impact that words have - written or spoken, they can change things around completely. And I've realized the last few days how many people turn these words into art that moves me. 

*My job. I complain about it more than I should. It's in the late hours of the night sitting on the floor with my girls talking about life, love, and everything under the sun that I realize why I do what I do. And more importantly, why I love it.

*Camp Kesem. Camp gave me purpose. Camp reminded me what I love about life. It brought back the happiness in my life because I finally found a place where I belonged. It is SO much more than something to put on a resume. It's a family. It saved me.
*BYU. I'm here learning at a prestigious school on full-scholarship from some of the brightest people in the world. Not only do I get to increase my education, I get to grow spiritually in all that I do and be fully immersed in this Gospel that I hold so dearly. Not to mention the Temple that is right outside my window.

*The Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was restored on this earth for ME. Well, and you too. It reminds me to keep an eternal perspective on life. It helps me to not sweat the little things. It gives me comfort when nothing else can. It gives me purpose. It gives me hope. 

*My family. The reason I started writing this post to begin with. After spending a lovely day with my Aunt and Uncle and the rest of the clan, I came home tonight to work. And I started wallowing, "Woe is me. I'm alone on Thanksgiving night. My family is far away and I'm here alone. Why me." And I realized how blessed I am. I shouldn't be pitying myself today. I should be ecstatic about all that I have been blessed with. And my family is my everything, as crazy and complicated and backwards as it can get. I would be nowhere without these beautiful people. And as cliché as that is, I mean every single word. They're my biggest cheerleaders, my greatest examples, and the funniest people I will ever have the privilege of knowing in this life. And they're all mine. Sorry, y'all. 

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, too. No matter where you were or who you were with because you have people, experiences, and encounters to be thankful for too.

I Need You

I need you, if you're reading this, to take a moment and read about these girls.

Climber is a character! she had 3 siblings at camp and I didn't know that until after camp was over. She just does her own thing and does it with a smile. She has a very cool eye too. Maybe you can see it in the picture but she doesn't like to talk about it. She was our time girl at camp because she was the only one, including counselors, that had a watch. Anytime we needed to know the time we would call for her and she'd give it to us. She also loved the flarp we made. It was this goo stuff that you have in a cup. When you push it into the cup it makes a fart noise. Haha the kids loved it but especially her! She was Always playing with it. Her mom has breast cancer and has been fighting it since 2004 so pretty much her whole life since shes only 11. Shes a fun, strong, funny and outgoing girl. She's kinda a tom boy too but I love that about her.

Rio is the sweetest most obedient girl. She always followed directions and was so pleasant to be around. She is very mature for her age and I think that comes from the fact that she has a younger brother with downs syndrome to help take care of and I know she does. She is so helpful and when her parents came to get her I could tell that they are so proud of her and I can see why. Both of her parents had cancer at one point. They are both ok now but they are still watching her dad close. She came to camp last year for her first time and without any of her siblings. She's super brave and intelligent. She's quiet most of the time but when you talk to her she has only good things to say and I just couldn't get enough of her at camp.

I've been asked to sponsor these two girls to attend Camp Kesem BYU this year the week of August 12th. The cost for two campers is approximately $800.

You may be thinking, why should I donate or why should I help Brittani? I promise you this camp will change their lives.  Don't believe me? Watch this.

I'm asking you not just to help me out, but to help them. They need this way more than I do!

If you can't help with a donation, any possible help is appreciated (fundraising ideas, etc.)


Kesem (n.): magic; the ability to change a life; an agent of growth;
 the unique power that transforms kids into Camp Kesem Campers.

Camp Kesem

There are 1.7 million cancer cases a year in the United States that affect individuals and their families. The support is there for grown-ups; but the special emotional needs of children of adult cancer patients have been overlooked. Simply put: kids are often left to deal with these personal tragedies on their own; and if parents themselves are struggling with illness, their sons and daughters frequently miss the simple joys of childhood.

Since 2000, Camp Kesem has given children affected by a parent’s cancer the opportunity to just be kids.  The ever-expanding Kesem community engages in camp activities like sports, arts and crafts, and drama to give campers a fun-filled week.  Campers also participate in “Cabin Chats” with fellow campers and counselors, giving children the chance to share their experiences with each other.  There are plenty of laughs and lots of emotional support, but Camp Kesem does not provide therapy.  The tremendous fun and support campers experience is what makes Camp Kesem a transformative, magical week for campers and counselors alike.

Due to the financial burden placed on families coping with cancer, Camp Kesem camp programs are offered free of charge. Families are invited to donate to support Camp Kesem.

If you wish to donate to Camp Kesem, click here.

Don't forget! If you are in the Provo area on March 14th, check out this event.