Camper Stories

In Their Own Words

Stories of hope, courage, and friendship from the campers who make Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do magical.

Featured Story

Henri's Journey

From young camper to camp volunteer — a story told by Henri's family and Henri himself, 15 years later.

Young Henri on the ropes course at camp with a counselor

Henri today, returning to camp as a volunteer

From our very first visit to the Lutheran Children’s Hospital Pediatric Oncology Clinic the nurses and staff talked with Henri about Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do. This gave all of us, but especially Henri, something to look forward to during the toughest times of treatment.
The first time that Henri went to camp he was excited but also a little worried about being away for a week. It helped that Garrett was able to go with him. That is one of the special qualities of camp — the sibling is considered an important part of the equation.
There were times during the week that Henri was homesick and Garrett was called over to help. It made us feel good about sending Henri, and it made Garrett feel great to be so welcomed and included in the fun.

We were a little worried about sending Henri because he was at the end of a treatment that had taken its toll on him, and he had just received chemotherapy one week before. Henri also was in the youngest age group, and he had never been away to camp.
Knowing that his nurses would be there was a great comfort. When we arrived, we saw so many familiar faces. It gave us confidence that Henri would be well cared for.
As we pulled into camp we immediately ran into a friend of Henri’s from school — another survivor — who has since become a close friend as a result of camp. That helped to put us at ease.

Henri and Garrett couldn’t stop telling stories from camp. For several weeks they would break into a song from camp or re-enact a funny skit. It was also a great reunion the second year when they arrived and got to see many of their friends and counselors.
Describing how special CWWD is for us is nearly impossible. Camp is generally a wonderful experience for children — special friendships are made, self discovery and independence start to happen, and long lasting memories are cast.
This is certainly true about CWWD, with the added benefit that Henri will continue to forge relationships with other survivors who not only understand what it means to live through treatment, but who will also experience some of the same questions, concerns, and emotions as they grow older.

That’s what my Mom said about my first week at camp, and 15 years later, it still stands true.
Today, I try to come back every year as a counselor and volunteer. As we all continue to be reminded of the destructive power of cancer, I look forward to the one week of the year where people come together to create abundant positivity in its wake.
It’s incredibly meaningful and it’s all wrapped up into the simple phrase — “Until there’s a cure, there’s a camp!”

Henri

Past Camper & Current Volunteer

“Sit down and let me tell you a story about the camp I got to called Camp Watcha Wanna-do! It's a place where miracles really do come true. A place where you do all the things you never thought you could do. A place that helps cancer kids make it through. A place where cancer kids bond and make friends. The type of friends that will help them through the thick and the thin. Friendships that will last to the very end. It's a place where second families begin. That's why Camp Watcha Wanna-do is the place for me, and for you!”

Camper

“Kyler loved camp for many reasons. He enjoyed going to the dances where he could show off his killer dance moves to his friends. He also enjoyed the rock wall and pushing himself to his limit. Kyler also loved the fireworks show, and other events at camp. Kyler mainly loved camp because he was with people like him who understood what he was going through, there he felt it was normal to have cancer. Kyler always looked forward to going to camp to see all his friends and to make new friends as that was something that came easy to him with his larger than life personality. He was always sad when it was time to go home because he knew that some of the friends he made might not survive to make it back next year.”

Kyler

Camper

“Camp is a place where people can be a family and find a common ground in navigating cancer together. When I was a kid, it was a place I could just be a kid and have fun. I did not have to worry about treatment or what was going to happen next.”

Past Camper, Past Counselor & Current Volunteer • 33 of 35 years

Words from Our Campers

“Live life to the fullest capacity.”

— CWWD Camper

“Be yourself, don't let people change you.”

— CWWD Camper

“It takes a village to make that camp run, months of planning and dedication from the leaders of CWWD to give these kids time to actually be kids.”

Until there is a cure, there's a camp

— Marcus

2025 Volunteer

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