Camp Okizu provides support for families and children dealing with cancer and illness through various camps. Parents of campers describe the positive impacts of attending camp, including feeling supported, being able to relax and take a break, and seeing their children return home stronger, happier, and with increased confidence and empathy. Camp gives children a chance to try new activities without judgment and build friendships while gaining confidence to take back home with them during their cancer journeys.

1. Camp Okizu 2012
We wanted to say thank you in as many ways as
possible…

5. Family Camp
“Okizu provides support in every sense of the
word.”
—Family Camp parent

10. “At Okizu I feel a great weight off
my shoulders because in ordinary
social situations I can easily stop
conversation just by talking about
my life. At Okizu I don’t have to be
so guarded.”
—Family Camp parent

15. “I cannot say enough good things
about family camp. We really feel
that we can relax at camp. The
parent groups are helpful as we all
cry and laugh together about
shared experience.”
—Family Camp parent

21. “It felt great to be at Okizu, to
take a break and relax. Thank
you so much for reviving our
family.”
—Family Camp parent

25. SIBS Camp
“She comes home confident and kinder.”
—Parent of an 11-year-old camper

31. “My daughter, once again, came
home from Okizu stronger, kinder
and with empathy. I have seen this
year after year. Thank you for all
your do and never doubt it’s
importance.”
—Parent of a 16-year-old camper

37. “I wanted to thank you for providing
such a special place for my
daughter to visit. She had the “best
week of my life” at SIBS camp two
weeks ago. As a parent of a child
who has lost her little brother to
cancer last year, having her come
home from camp so happy and
excited brought me to tears.”

43. “He seemed so calm, happy and
mature when we picked him up…he
continues to show signs of self-
confidence, self respect and
thinking beyond himself/thinking of
others.”
—Parent of an 11-year-old camper

47. Oncology
Camp
“A week at Okizu is an amazing morale boost.”
—Parent of a 10-year-old camper

53. “His week at Okizu is without doubt
the highlight of his year. Hands
down. No argument…Okizu is the
light at the end of the tunnel that
Okizu kids have while on their
cancer journey. There’s no upside
to cancer, but if there were a
beacon of hope then Okizu is it.”
—Parent of a 9-year-old camper

59. “For the first time since February
she got to be a 12 year old!
Because she went to Camp
Okizu I knew it was time to put
her back into her middle school
with her friends instead of
medical independent studies.
She’s happy again!”
—Parent of a 12-year-old camper

66. “I love the chance Okizu gives
me to try new things without
feeling scrutinized or made fun
of if I’m scared or not very good.
I also love the friendships and
the confidence it gives me when
I return home.”
—Oncology camper

69. For more information, please contact Okizu
16 Digital Drive, Suite 130
Novato, CA 94949
TEL 415.382.9083
FAX 415.382.8384
www.okizu.org