From Campers to Volunteers: A Full-Circle Story of Hope

At Camp Wieser, we often say that the experience stays with you long after the weekend ends. For some, it even calls them back — as volunteers who want to give the same hope and healing they once received.

Teri and her son Kameron are one of those families. They came to camp in 2022 as first-time campers and returned the very next year wearing dark blue shirts — the sign of a Me-One volunteer. In 2024, they returned again as Camp Family Hosts. Their story is a beautiful reminder of the strength that grows from hardship, and the community that forms through courage and care.

Below, Teri shares their story in her own words.

Our family’s cancer journey started in 2012 when my husband — Kameron’s dad — was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Through a strong and brave battle, he lost his fight in July 2013.

Fast forward to December 2021, when a pain in my youngest son Kameron’s side turned out to be testicular cancer — and doctors also found a mass behind his stomach. I didn’t believe Kam at first when he told me about the mass; I couldn’t wrap my head around my 26-year-old son having cancer. It felt like a gut punch to our whole family. We couldn’t believe it was our reality again.

It was a scary time. All we knew was the cancer journey we’d already lived through, watching my husband go through treatment. I feared the same for Kameron. But treatments have come a long way. Our oncologist explained that Kameron’s experience would be very different — and her reassurance gave Kam a lot of comfort, even though he was still scared of the unknown.

In February, Kam started chemo. After four rounds, we had great news: his tumors had shrunk significantly. One was gone entirely, and the other was no longer “glowing” — the chemo had been a success! Radiation wasn’t an option because the mass was located between the back of his stomach and his spine — too dangerous. So, after much consideration, he decided to have surgery to be sure the cancer was completely gone.

During this time, our nurse navigator introduced us to the Me-One Foundation and told us about Camp Wieser. She said we were perfect candidates — that we should get away from all this cancer stuff for a weekend and just have fun and relax. Kameron and I went home and immediately filled out the application. At first, we thought the two of us would go, but after watching the YouTube videos from past camps, Kam wanted to include his brothers and sister-in-law who had supported him every step of the way.

In August, we got our surgery date — and also found out we had been accepted to Camp Wieser! We were thrilled. It felt like a “Make-A-Wish” for adults and their families. Kam’s surgery was completed at the end of August. There were no tumors present, though doctors removed some lymph nodes as a precaution. Then, just two weeks before camp, we received the best news ever: Kameron was cancer-free.

We weren’t sure if we should still go to camp, but we were told that our story would bring hope — and that other campers would be encouraged to hear from someone on the other side. That year, there were two campers who could share a cancer-free diagnosis, and Kameron was one of them.

Before arriving at camp, our Camp Host guided and supported our whole family and helped us know what to expect. Our experience was beyond anything we imagined. We were just soaking it all in — cancer-free, and Camp Wieser coming up. We had no idea how important our Camp Host would be in making the experience smooth and joyful. I remember thinking to myself, I’d love to do this someday. And who knew — that wish would come true. (By the way, we still keep in touch with him — he’s part of our extended Me-One Ohana now.)

By day two of camp, Kameron and I knew we would be back. We wanted to give back what we had been given. When we left on Sunday, we were already counting down the days until next year.

In fall of 2023, we returned to Camp Wieser — this time as official volunteers. I served with the spa team, and Kameron joined the Wieser Warrior crew. We had such a good time! Putting on the dark blue volunteer shirt was so emotional for me, especially as Kameron’s mom. All we had been through… and now, here we were, full circle. I had tears in my eyes as I walked around in that navy blue shirt.

Kameron said it felt weird at first, being a volunteer in a blue shirt when just a year before, he was a camper in a light blue shirt. But he knew he wanted to come back and help others. He understood what they were feeling. We were there to listen, to share our story, and to say, “We see you. We care. And just so you know — we were campers last year. Now we’re volunteers. You’ve got this.”

Since then, we’ve marched with the Me-One float in the parade and participated in the annual Memory Makers fundraiser in December. In 2024, we came back again as Camp Hosts, and had the honor of guiding another family through the weekend. We’re still in touch with them — we meet for meals and stay connected.

Me-One has changed our lives for the better. Like one camper said this past year: “This is the best thing cancer has brought me. If it weren’t for cancer, I wouldn’t have met all of you.” That’s how we feel too. Me-One gave us a whole new Ohana — and showed us how blessed we are to be part of something this meaningful.

We can’t wait for September. We can’t wait to be back with our Ohana. And we can’t wait to welcome the next family who needs to feel the same love we felt.