Starlite Shores Family Camp

The purpose of the ministry is to provide a place where families dealing with children’s cancer can unwind, be regenerated, and be healed as a unit. Families are supported and cared for throughout the retreat at Starlite Shores Family Camp. The host families are in charge of interacting with their retreat family, helping with groups of kids throughout the retreat, and showing love to all the retreat families. The retreat families are their special guests for the week and will leave with a renewed sense of hope that they do not walk this journey alone. They will promise to put the needs of others ahead of their own, take care of their financial obligations, and cooperate with the other hosts and volunteers.

The Starlite Shores Family Camp’s Activities

The same ground:

The parents of children with cancer meet with a facilitator during four-morning sessions each week to explore the challenges they encounter in caring for their cancer-stricken kid. Each day of camp will have a theme to help the families in their battle with cancer. All of the kids will participate in age-appropriate groups or small groups with volunteers during this meeting time for parents.

Groups of Flip Flops:

SSFC may offer numerous choices to Gull Lake Ministries during this scheduled period. The kids are divided into age-appropriate groups with volunteer leaders, who convene all at once for singing before dividing the kids back into their groups. The children talk about the same subject as the parents during their group time (Common Ground). Children gather in their groups, engage in a variety of activities, enjoy games, and create crafts.

Father’s Day Off:

This time is for retreat dads and volunteer dads/men who are at least 18 years old. It may involve golf or skeet shooting. The availability of the golf course or shooting range determines the activity for the week. It’s a wonderful chance to get to know other dads who have experienced cancer.

Rewind:

Every evening once the day’s events have ended, all the volunteers for the week gather to discuss the day’s events and the agenda for the next day. It is a time for worship, friendship, and reflection on the camp memories being created with the people you are serving with.

Regular Daily Routine:

8:30–9:15 a.m. – Morning meal

9:15–9:30 a.m. – A time of fellowship for all visitors

9:45 p.m.–12:00 p.m. – Ground zero

12:30 p.m.–1:15 p.m. – Lunch from 1:15 to 5:00 p.m. – Family time: some downtime for everyone.

5:30 p.m. – Evening activities such as dinner

11:00 p.m. – Quiet time and lights out

Positive Aspect Of Starlite Shores Family Camp

The topic of today’s One Good Thing is a local family’s summer camp. The Diekevers family is shown here. Starlite Shores Family Camp has been administered by them since 2013. When they attended a similar camp in 2012, they had the chance to help a family whose seven-year-old child was battling cancer. They claim that the event altered them, which is how Starlite was developed. Each family at the camp is matched with a “volunteer” family, and they spend the week helping each other out. As you can sense from the images, there are a lot of activities. Every year, somewhere in West Michigan, the Diekevers say that they believe this is actually a calling from God, and they pray that the campers would return home feeling refreshed, invigorated, and perhaps a bit worn out. In the end, they want the families of the children fighting cancer to realize that they are not traveling this path alone themselves. They are not, though. The Diekevers and Starlite Shores Family Camp deserve today’s One Good Thing for letting those families realize they’re not alone and providing them with a week of fun when they don’t have to think about cancer as much. And thanks to Cassie for nominating them and emailing me.

What To Bring For A Family Camp At Starlite Shores

We’re getting excited as they cross everything off our To-Do list, as Camp week is only a few days away. Both campers and counselors are making lists of their own as they consider what they’ll want to bring to camp. While you’re trying to close the luggage, have the following in mind:

They all need something to cuddle themselves into at night, even if the cabins are clean and the bunks are comfortable. Every first-time camper receives a brand-new sleeping bag that they can retain; everyone else is required to bring their own. Ideal for spending the night outside under the stars!

Bring your towel and swimsuit. Everyone adores the pool! So it’s fortunate that pool time is scheduled for each day of camp. Pack your preferred beach towel to keep warm and dry off on the trip back to the cabin.

Memorabilia from home While at camp, it’s sometimes pleasant to have a small memento of home. A favorite blanket or a little plush animal can help you nod off more peacefully.

A spare pair of both socks and underwear should also be included, just in case. Enough socks and underwear to last a week.

Brush your teeth to keep them healthy when you’re away from home.

Starlite Shores Family Camp Offers Assistance To Families With Children Battling Cancer.

Michigan’s BARRY Township (WOOD) The amount of time spent with other children can be quite limited for many families with children who have cancer. However, a free camp in West Michigan allows parents to unwind and recover while offering children with cancer the chance to play with other youngsters.

When the news was announced, Elle-Joy Won was just four years old.

Her father, Mike Won, stated that she had a stage 4 non-lymphoma Hodgkin diagnosis at first. After all, was said and done, Elle-Joy was in therapy for almost four years. Elle-Joy remarked, “One day, I’d have to have shots, and then the following day, it would be fine.” I would then need to have shots the next day.

Elle-Joy is spending her time at Starlite Shores Family Camp in Hickory Corners, a little town south of Kalamazoo, for the first time in more than a year. It serves as a free destination for families of children with cancer. It’s great, Elle-mother, Joy’s Anne Won, said. “Just the thought that she could be here, that she could be playing with the other kids and running about. It makes me so happy to watch her enjoying a good time.

On Wednesday afternoon, some football players from Western Michigan University dropped by. Jon Wassink, a quarterback, claimed that it was difficult to discern whether children might have cancer from those who don’t. They simply have so much enthusiasm, and everyone in the area is thankful and happy to have them here for the week. In 2013, Kevin Diekevers and his wife Carmen established the camp. There are over 20 families from eight states this year. It can feel quite lonely when a child in your family is diagnosed with cancer, according to Kevin Diekevers. “This may be the only opportunity for some people to see Jesus. Work, love, and service to others, you know.

Event Information For Starlite Shores Family Camp In 2023

Event specifics:

Byron Center, Michigan’s Railside Golf Club

7:15 a.m. Registration & Driving Range

8:00 a.m. Morning Flight TEE

11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Flight Tee Time in the Afternoon: 1:15 p.m.

Promotional Levels

$5,000 includes acknowledgment at the event for the title sponsor.

Signage for a driving range.

On occasion, the name on the banner at Camp Foursome

On hole indicators, a name

Platinum Sponsor: $2,500; foursome in the event; name on hole signs; name on banner at camp

Foursome in the event Gold Sponsor $1,500 includes the name on a banner.

On hole indicators, a name

Foursome in the event Foursome in the event Silver Sponsor $1,000

Includes name on banner at camp Name on hole signage.

Foursome

$800

Individuals

$200

F.A.Q.

Where can I apply?

You can apply by going to the Experience It links and filling out an online application if you are a family dealing with pediatric cancer and learned about Starlite Shores Family Camp (SSFC) from a friend, another cancer family, your hospital, Facebook, etc. Children must have written permission from their oncology healthcare team stating that they are healthy enough to participate in the retreat. After attending the retreat, you will receive the consent form, which you must return within eight days.

How can my family be admitted to a retreat?

With limited exceptions, any family with a child (0–18) receiving cancer treatment or who finished treatment within the previous year may submit an application to attend the retreat at Gull Lake Ministries the following year. Attendance is open to the child’s immediate family members who live in their home. Applying for single parents is accepted.

How much will it cost my family?

Since the costs are funded by kind contributors and our Host Families, the retreat is free for you to attend, including housing, meals, snacks, and all “scheduled” activities. You must, however, cover the cost of your own transportation to and from the retreat.

What does a typical week at SSFC entail?

The retreat starts when you arrive on Tuesday in the afternoon and continues with a variety of activities designed to provide your family time for enjoyment, relaxation, rejuvenation, and restoration. Breakfast and Morning Watch, a time of collective worship for all visitors, begin each morning. Following Morning Watch, parents have the chance to socialize with other parents in Common Ground, a supervised, safe space. Children will play while their parents are away! After lunch, the kids will be divided into Flip Flop groups according to age and gender for a fun-filled period of activities. Unwind, take a nap, go swimming in the lake, or visit the beach! Every evening features a different entertaining activity with a theme, from a carnival for the kids to a date night for the parents!

Where are they going to stay?

The Gull Lake Ministries offers a wide variety of hotel alternatives for the week. Depending on the size of your family, the leadership team will assign your family to a cottage or one of the lodges. Only one family will be accommodated in a cottage, and each member of your family will have their own room and toilet in the lodge. If required, laundry facilities will be offered.

How many guests are there at the retreat?

We are excited to assist 14–16 Retreat Families. We will also be searching for 14–16 host families to help these exceptional families for the week in order to provide everyone with a unique experience.

Will I be able to tell who I’ll be serving?

One Retreat Family is partnered with each Host Family. When you arrive at the retreat, you will be given information about your Retreat Family, your roommates, and the teams you will be serving on. Flip Flop group leaders will be asked in advance if they are willing to take on that duty at camp and will be provided with the relevant training materials.

How specifically can they help the families?

Throughout the retreat week, we will provide numerous services to the Retreat Families who are coping with pediatric cancer. We want to establish a setting where people can unwind, rebuild their connections, and rest without worrying about children’s illnesses. In order to accomplish this, we look after and serve all of their meals as well as supervise the kids while the parents engage in Common Ground. All of the adult and child hosts will be having fun with the children while the parents are gone, and the parents of children with cancer will be given a special night out.

What qualifications are needed to work as a counselor at Family Camp Starlight Shores?

Counselors at Camp Starlight Shores Family Camp are required to be at least 19 years old, have previous childcare experience, and be enthusiastic about working with kids from all backgrounds. In order to create a memorable camp week, counselors must have the desire to learn about the difficulties faced by children who are HIV-affected, as well as want to live in a community. All volunteers must be in good emotional and physical health in order to participate in camp activities. In order to make sure that we are hiring trustworthy, capable, knowledgeable, and motivated volunteers, we run background checks on every volunteer and contact reference.

What general health and safety precautions are Family Camp Starlight Shores taking?

There is a full medical staff at Family Camp Starlight Shores, including a pediatrician and two nurses. Additionally, Club Med (Camp Starlight’s infirmary) frequently hosts medical students, residents, and fellows who receive training there. All medical professionals have received specialized training in pediatrics and HIV. The Twinkle Team, a comprehensive behavioral health team at Camp Starlight, is made up of behavioral specialists, care managers, and mental health specialists. Additionally, this team frequently provides training to our campers, interns, and students. We have risk management policies and procedures as a cornerstone to safety and, as a matter of course, train all employees and volunteers on risk management and collaborate with the camp facilities to synchronize all safety measures. We maintain a 1:1 adult-to-child ratio at Camp Starlight to guarantee both your child’s safety and fun while they are there.

Is there a way to get in touch with my child during camp?

To reach their kid, parents and guardians are always invited to call Camp Starlight (ren). While your child is at camp, calls with them will be coordinated by our Twinkle Team Director and Twinkle Team Case Manager. We aim to limit phone time in order to reduce home missing and enhance the Camp experience. We encourage families to support their camper(s) in focusing on their time at camp with their Camp friends. Every child’s communication needs are unique, just as they are for every family. We work closely with each family to make sure they have a fun and safe time at camp.

How do your employees deal with being homesick?

All of the employees and volunteers have received training in how to assist campers who are homesick. Techniques include setting aside time during the day for a camper to discuss things they are missing will frequently help the camper concentrate on camp the rest of the day. Arts & crafts projects made for people the campers miss are frequently encouraged. Every child can get the individualized adult attention they require when there is one adult for every child. They are also surrounded by other kids who they might share experiences with. Campers are urged to help one another through any events with being away from home. If the kid, counselors, and Twinkle Team determine that it would be beneficial for the camper to speak with a parent or guardian by phone, permission may be granted.

When will they receive their medication?

The Camp hospital’s name is Club Med. Club Med has a doctor and two nurses on site, and it has a defined process for giving drugs to all campers promptly. Some campers have unique requirements for taking medication, about which the Club Med staff is informed by the family and takes appropriate action. We use a personalized care model where each camper receives the attention and assistance required to ensure medication compliance and adherence while at Camp Starlight.

Can parents go to Starlight Camp for children?

Camp Starlight does not allow parents to attend. The purpose of the camp is to give children a place that is theirs and all about them, as well as to give parents and guardians a break. Families are encouraged to take a break and take pleasure in the time that we are not only looking after their children but also educating, motivating, and celebrating them.