Camp Ta-Kum-Ta
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta
802-244-8701
PO Box 576
Waterbury, VT 05676
TKT Mission
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta provides challenging, extraordinary experiences in a safe and loving environment for kids who have or have had cancer. Camp exists for Vermont children (out-of-state children who are treated in Vermont), between the ages of 7-17, at no cost to their families.
History
Founded in 1984, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta was established through the efforts of Ted and Debbie Kessler to recreate the mind and body healing experiences their son, Todd had received at a cancer camp in New York State.
At the very beginning Camp was just a great idea without a name. While in the Pediatric Oncology Unit at the hospital discussing the possibility of a camp where "kids with cancer" can just be "kids", one of the children still too young to attend exclaimed in frustration "but I want a camp to come ta!". The name was perfect, and eventually she did get her "Camp Ta-Kum-Ta". Today, she is one of the many survivors volunteering on staff!
Each year Camp Ta-Kum-Ta tries to squeeze in as many life experiences and memories as possible into one magical week. Along with traditional camp activities such as swimming, athletics, ropes course, and arts & crafts, Ta-Kum-Ta offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as rock climbing expeditions, hot-air balloon rides, formal dances, and lake cruises.
For 24 years Camp Ta-Kum-Ta took place in August at Camp Hold Cross on the shores of Malletts Bay, Lake Champlain in Colchester, Vermont. In early 2008 the T-K-T Board learned that the facility would no longer be made available as a campsite, and so a search was begun for a new, permanent home. In August of 2008 it was announced that Camp Ta-Kum-Ta would move to the former Willey Farm in the Town of South Hero, Vermont in the Lake Champlain Islands. There, a new camp will be built from scratch.
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta is independent and self-sustaining, financed completely through private donations and fundraising. With an all-volunteer staff of 70, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta accepts all of its children tuition-free.
Although told by many that Vermont just wasn't big enough to sustain such a camp, Ted and Debbie went ahead with it anyway. Thanks to the support of the community, some 70 staff volunteers, and leadership from a seven member Board of Directors, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta is preparing for another magical week in 2009!
TKT Experience
A "typical" day:
7:50 AM Flag Raising
8:00 Breakfast - yummie cinnamon buns and fruit!
9:00 - 12:30 2 rotating sessions of activities including ropes course, arts and crafts, athletics, waterfront, cooking, etc.
12:30 - 2:00 Lunch with lots of singing
2:00 - 2:30 Cabin time (campers/staff catch up on sleep!)
2:30 - 5:30 Afternoon activity - maybe bowling, all camp soccer game, water carnivals, etc.
5:30 - 7:00 Dinner with more singing!
7:00 - 9:00 Evening Activity - sometimes, a ferry boat dance/cruise, karaoke party, cabin skits, etc.
9:00 - 11:00 Older camper time in the dining hall
11:00 - ??? Mysterious evening activities - we'll never tell!
© 2007 Camp Ta-Kum-Ta
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