Michael Smith, who works in Community Development for Camp Sunshine, was the speaker at the Nov. 20 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Norway-Paris. He presented an informative video about the work done at Camp Sunshine, and answered several questions about the camp’s operation and funding.

The video presentation provided the history and purpose of Camp Sunshine. Its founders originally wanted to set up a camp for children with life-threatening diseases, but they were told by several experts in the field that what was really needed was a camp for not just the child with a life-threatening disease, but the child’s entire family.

Thus Camp Sunshine was born. Located on 23 acres in Casco on Sebago Lake, it is the only camp of its kind in the country, providing families dealing with a life-threatening illness in one of their children an opportunity to relax and be taken care of instead of providing care. The camp provides counseling sessions for parents, activities for siblings and medical care available 24-hours a day.

The camp runs special one-week sessions during the summer dedicated to children and their families dealing with a particular disease, such as lupus or cancer. That way, every family during the session has a set of common experiences to share.

Smith explained that the camp is entirely funded by corporate or foundation donations, and does not collect any money from its attendees or the government. Social workers refer their patients to Camp Sunshine, who then must go through a selection process to attend. The camp is staffed primarily by volunteers, most of whom stay at the camp during the week they volunteer. No special training is required, just a good attitude and a willingness to help.

The camp held its first winter program last year, and expects to hold two winter sessions this year (in part to provide children from parts of the country with no snow an opportunity to experience it before their illness progresses too far).

The camp hopes to be year-round within five years, meaning they would do 40 one-week sessions. Their 20th anniversary is next year, and they plan to celebrate by holding 20 sessions. Participating families in the past have come from as far away as Israel and Saudi Arabia, and volunteers have come from as far away as Scotland.

The Kiwanis Club of Norway-Paris meets every Thursday at different locations in the Norway/Paris area. The speaker for the Dec. 4 meeting has not been finalized. Anyone interested in attending a meeting, contact members Bob Bizier at 743-9303 or Sarah Glynn at 743-7753.