Special Love’s hallmark program, Camp Fantastic, built on last year’s triumphant post-COVID return with more campers, more staff, and more fun! Forty-nine children in various stages of treatment gathered for fun and friendship and not even Tropical Storm Debby could dampen their enthusiasm!

Our Olympic theme inspired games on land and in the water and we enjoyed a visit from Spot, the amazing robot dog, and cool science activities and games with our friends from Thermo-Fisher and the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum. The week-long adventure also included a wide array of fun activities like pool parties, dancing, horses, and the always popular glamour class. This year’s favorite spot was the Zen Zone, a relaxing space in the lower level of the main conference center where campers could unwind, de-stress, and be creative.

Most nights ended with a blazing campfire and we made a mid-week bus trip to a horse farm in Culpeper where even more fun awaited: hayrides, dune buggy rides, sports, farm animals, and dancing. We were so grateful to the hundreds of volunteers who came together not only for Farm Day but during the entire week to make it so magical.

Camp Fantastic is a one-of-a-kind camp designed specifically for children with cancer, offering a safe space for them to experience the magic of summer camp. Here, campers get to be more than their diagnosis—they get to be kids, building friendships and memories that last a lifetime. The Special Love team, the NIH/NCI Medical team, and our wonderful volunteers worked to make Camp Fantastic not only fun and exciting, but safe for everyone.

Even as we build up camp to its traditional numbers since COVID, the sense of community and support remained strong. Camp Fantastic is more than just a place for fun—it’s a place where kids can connect with others who understand their journey and feel free to simply be themselves. To learn more about Camp Fantastic or support this life-changing program, visit Special Love’s Camp Fantastic page. Your contribution can help ensure that more children facing cancer can enjoy the magic of Camp Fantastic for years to come.