BRASS Camp
A Week That Belongs
to You.
About BRASS Camp
Siblings of children with cancer deserve a space of their own — one built around their experience, their voices, and their friendships. Since 1992, Special Love's BRASS (BRothers And SiSters) Camp has given siblings of children with cancer a week that's entirely, unapologetically theirs: a place to connect with peers who get it, make lifelong friends, and rediscover the joy of just being a kid.
Program At a Glance
Who BRASS Camp is for:
BRASS Camp is open to brothers and sisters of children with cancer, including bereaved siblings, ages 7 to 17. No prior participation in Special Love programming is required.
Campers come from throughout the country, though most are from the broader DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.
Who
Format
Weeklong overnight camp
Location
Leonardtown, MD
When
BRASS Camp is typically held in mid-July each year.
Stay tuned for a Save-the-Date for the next camp week!
Cost
What to Expect
BRASS Camp is modeled after a traditional summer camp — because that's exactly what siblings deserve. The week is full of fishing, cooking, arts & crafts, sports, games, and the kind of unstructured time that lets kids just be kids. But it's also something more: every conversation, group activity, and late-night campfire happens among people who truly understand.
Teambuilding exercises and age-appropriate discussion groups give campers space to talk through feelings they may not have room for at home. Each evening ends with singing, laughing and sharing reflections from the day around the campfire. By Friday, most campers leave with new friendships, a stronger sense of themselves, and the knowledge that they're not alone in what they've been carrying.
In addition to summer camp fun, BRASS Camp facilitates a unique community of peer support. One of the most meaningful aspects of BRASS is B-Chat, a peer group exclusively for bereaved campers.
What sets BRASS Camp apart is its volunteer base: a strong community of former campers who return as counselors and bring lived experience to every interaction. The continuity is part of what makes BRASS Camp unlike any other program in the country.
Sample Daily Schedule
- 7:30 a.m.: Polar Bear Swim
- 7:45: Rise & Shine
- 8:30: Breakfast with cabins
- 9:00: Flag Raising & Morning Assembly
- 9:30: Morning Class 1
- 10:45: Group Assembly
- 11:00: Morning Class 2
- 12:30 p.m.: Lunch with classes
- 1:15: Group Activities with Teams
- 1:45: Chat & Rest Time
- 3:00: Open Recreation (Pool, Sports & Games)
- 5:30: Dinner
- 6:30: Flag Lowering
- 6:45: Evening Fun!
- 8:30: Campfire
- 10:00: Quiet Time & Lights Out
Safety & Care
BRASS Camp operates with the same commitment to safety and preparation that defines every Special Love program. Our camper-to-staff ratio is approximately 2:1. All volunteers who serve as counselors are required to pass an annual background check and have up-to-date vaccines. Parents receive daily updates through our dedicated BRASS Facebook page.
Research-backed impact
A 2022 study published in the Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, conducted at BRASS Camp, found that siblings who attended a week-long peer support camp showed measurable improvements in anxiety and self-esteem — results that held at a three-month follow-up. The research reinforces what BRASS campers and their families have known for decades: a week here makes a real difference.
Hear From Campers And Their Families
Cost & How It's Made Possible
BRASS Camp is free of costs for participants, including bus transportation from Bethesda, Norfolk, Richmond and Fredericksburg, Virginia.
BRASS Camp is made possible through the generosity of donors, sponsors, and community partners who believe siblings deserve a week of their own.
How to Enroll
Registration for BRASS Camp is handled through CampSite, the same platform Special Love uses for Camp Fantastic. If you already have a CampSite account from another Special Love program, you can sign in and register; otherwise, you'll create one as part of the process.
Upcoming Events
Stay tuned for announcements about next year's dates for BRASS Camp. Be sure to create a CampSite account to receive notifications and announcements about this and other Special Love programs.
Enrollment Steps
- Create your CampSite account, or log in if you already have one.
- Complete your application online. You can save your progress and come back if you're missing anything.
- Once you're set, we'll confirm transportation and bus pickup locations.
Also for Siblings: BRASS Weekend
For siblings who want a shorter introduction to the BRASS community (or another chance to connect throughout the year) Special Love also hosts BRASS Weekend, an annual weekend retreat at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center in Front Royal, VA. It includes many of the same classic camp activities and conversations, in a condensed format that's especially welcoming for siblings new to Special Love.
Support this Program
BRASS Camp runs on the dedication of volunteers, many of whom were once campers themselves, and the generosity of donors who keep the program free for every sibling who needs it.