Camp CoHoLo

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Camp CoHoLo
Children's Cancer Camps of Nebraska

PO Box 24466
Omaha, NE 68124

402-334-6282

In 1984 Maureen Herrick, an Omaha housewife, viewed a national talk show's feature on a unique summer camp that hosted children with cancer and blood disorders. Because of their unique medical needs, the show's host noted that many children with cancer and blood disorders were deprived of the opportunity for a normal summer camp experience.

Maureen contacted Robyn Freeman, then the director of the Campfire USA Midlands Council, to see if a similar camp existed in Nebraska. Finding none, they contacted the head of the pediatric hematology/oncology department at Children's Hospital, sparking the birth of Camp CoHoLo. Camp CoHoLo held its first summer camp, a three-day event, in 1985 for 22 children.

CoHoLo is an acronym for Courage, Hope and Love, the guiding principles behind the formation of Camp CoHoLo. From its humble beginnings, Camp CoHoLo now hosts 140 to 160 children each July during an eight-day camp.

The summer camp is held at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center near Gretna. The 4-H Center features ten two-story cabins nestled within the wilderness and a large, air-conditioned lodge used for activities and meals.

Our Children
Camp CoHoLo's mission is to serve children between the ages of 6 to 17 that are impacted by cancer or blood disorders. Campers include children undergoing therapy and those who are off treatment. Children in remission since age two share the camp with newly diagnosed twelve-year-olds; regardless of the age of diagnosis, they all share a common bond.

Due to the growth of Camp CoHoLo, the camp is now separated into two sessions. Children ages 6 to 11 attend camp for four days and three nights, followed by campers ages 12 to 17 who spend five days and four nights.

Approximately half of the children who attend Camp CoHoLo receive medication for their condition. The volunteer staff at Camp CoHoLo includes pediatric hematology/oncology physicians and nurses from the Nebraska Medical Center and Children's Hospital who maintain strict medication schedules and monitor the health of all campers. Since the health of the campers is the medical staff's top priority, each day's activity schedules are designed and adjusted based on the medical needs of each child. A typical day at camp might include a high-wire obstacle course, water slides, team-building exercises, crafts, games, songs and a camp fire – all directed towards building character and confidence.

Activities
Every year we try to include a few new activities with the old favorites that make our children come back year after year. First and foremost, our daily activity schedule depends on the weather and the health of our campers, so rain or heat may cut short some of our outdoor activities. Every camp session is different, but these are some of our past activities:

* Swimming
* Water slides
* Crafts
* "Warm fuzzy" mailboxes to build friendships
* Paintball target shooting
* Camp songs
* Frisbee golf
* Nature hikes
* Balloon volleyball
* Canoeing
* Zip line
* High-wire adventure
* Trust course
* Comedy skits
* Scavenger hunts
* Carnival games
* A kid-focused dance with DJ music

Children are assigned to a cabin with four to ten other children their age and at least two counselors of the same gender. The two-story cabins are built into the side of a hill, so the girls have the top level and the boys sleep on the bottom level. Bunk beds and mattresses are provided, but campers and counselors are expected to bring pillows, bedding and/or sleeping bags. The cabins have heaters and air conditioners, so campers are able to stay comfortable during cabin time.

The camp features award-winning grub cooked up by the world-famous 4-H chefs. Sure, most of the chefs are still in high school or college, but they do a great job of keeping all the kids happy. The menu stays pretty simple to please as many kids as possible: hot dogs, hamburgers, spaghetti, chicken, macaroni and cheese. Breakfast is even better, with pancakes, French toast, cereal, sausage and other delicacies offered from time to time. When you throw in the afternoon and evening snacks, it's no wonder the counselors gain weight while they're at camp.

Every day is a little different in terms of activities, but we try to keep a fairly consistent schedule so that the kids have a predictable day. A typical day at Camp CoHoLo might be as follows:

7:30 Rise and shine
8:00 Flag raising
8:15 Breakfast
9:00 Activities
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Cabin time/change clothes for afternoon activity
1:30 Activities
3:00 Afternoon snack
3:15 Activites
4:45 Cabin time
5:30 Dinner
6:30 Evening entertainment
9:00 Campfire
10:00 Lights out

Call us sappy, but the campfire is a great way to finish the day. One cabin of kids is in charge of planning the songs, skits and deep thoughts for each campfire, and they always do a great job. There's something special about a starry sky, a crackling fire, chirping locusts and a bunch of kids who understand how great it is to be alive. Each year, the oldest group of kids are in charge of their last campfire at CoHoLo, and the tears flow freely from kids and counselors as the kids reminisce about the great years they've had at camp.