Help a Family Dealing with Cancer

 

Volunteering at Camp Wieser

As of July 17, we have filled all the Volunteer jobs for this year’s Camp. Thank you to all of you who applied. If you missed out on the opportunity to volunteer this year, plan on doing so next September. Dates will be posted on this page.

Camp Wieser Volunteers tell us that supporting the family weekend retreat for adults dealing with cancer is life-changing (read some of the Volunteer’s comments below). No volunteer leaves without having been deeply impacted by what they see, hear and accomplish. If spending three days in support of the Me-One Campers is something you want to do, give it some serious thought. Some of the questions we hear frequently are answered on the Volunteer FAQs page. Look at the photos and videos in the Gallery to get an idea of what Volunteers do at Camp. They’re the ones in the dark blue or grey shirts. The goal of many Campers is to turn in their Camper shirt for a Volunteer shirt. Many of our Campers have achieved this goal!

How do I get to Camp Wieser?

The facility is The Mission Springs Conference Center. Their address is 1050 Lockhart Gulch Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. The location is just 15 minutes north of Santa Cruz on Highway 17. Review the map below to gauge your distance from home. When your application for Camp is approved, directions to camp will be included in your material.

A Volunteer’s Own Words

“As usual, the Campers have knocked my socks off with their wisdom and strength. Thank you to all for letting me be a part of this amazing event. See you in 2019!” ML 2018 “I hope I can speak for all of us when I say we all get more out of camp than our guests! Can’t wait for next year! Thank you for letting us be a part of Camp Wieser.” JJ 2018 “It was another fabulous, inspiring weekend. Many thanks for allowing me the opportunity to volunteer. It’s a beautiful way to pass forward some of the blessings that I have been given and lots of fun seeing those priceless smiles.” MM 2018 “As a first-time volunteer at Camp Wieser, I had no idea how powerful the impact is on the guests, and how joyful I would feel at witnessing their enjoyment. Each morning now, post-Camp, I wake up with a big old grin, ready to tackle anything. We talk about how camp is a break from the rigors of dealing with cancer. One of the Campers at the closing ceremony said this: ‘This isn’t just a break. This is a shift.’ She went on to describe what Camp has meant for her family. I don’t think we can imagine the different and personal benefits derived by each family.” CS 2018 “I was privileged to spend three days with the most amazing, inspiring bunch of campers and other volunteers at Camp Wieser this past week. Being a volunteer gave me the chance to truly be of service to someone, with no expectation of anything in return. The weekend made me realize how important it is to take time away from thinking about my own needs, and focus on the needs of our Camp guests. I left the weekend still floating on a deep sense of accomplishment. I want to keep coming back as long as I am able.” SFS July 2017

When Asked Why They Want To Volunteer Again in 2018….

“Out of the many volunteer experiences I’ve had, almost none compares to this weekend of giving. I really enjoy witnessing the guests as they first arrive, almost stunned at the greetings they receive from all of the volunteers. And it only gets better from there. It’s just so amazing being able to be with everyone!” LC “I want to volunteer to be able to give back to the families that need this weekend. The families that need to time to remove themselves from the world of Cancer and be able to enjoy the moments with their friends and families. This foundation has given so much to me, through meeting my best friends, giving me the drive to help others, and I would want to do as much as I can to give back to the organization and volunteer again.” KH “It is very near and dear to my heart and these families are counting on us to make this the best Camp Wieser yet. These families inspire me as well as all the amazing volunteers who give countless hours of love to this organization.” HW “I’m a physician and am comfortable working with cancer patients. I have very much enjoyed hosting the last 4 years. It is such a rewarding experience to give the families a carefree and happy weekend in the middle of their stressful difficult time!” LL “Volunteering at camp last year was hands down the best thing I have ever experienced. Jennifer, who told me about camp and told me how much I would love it, couldn’t have been more right. After working with cancer patients as well as having multiple family members with cancer, I now know I was meant to work side by side with this demographic. After seeing firsthand what these people go through, and how hard they fight, I want to do everything I can to help them, no matter how big or small. Going to camp and listening to their stories, and watching how much fun they have and how appreciative they are to have a weekend get away from their everyday struggles, is the most rewarding and fulfilling experience. I have been counting down the days til I can go back to camp, just like Jennifer said I would!” KK “Last summer was my first experience at Camp Me One and let me tell you it has completely changed me! I was a family host to a WONDERFUL woman living with cancer and her amazing family, working with cancer patients daily is nothing compared to living with them for a weekend, we laughed, we cried, we made memories and we still chat to this day. I would be honored to volunteer for a 2nd year!” NJ “Because not only is it a blast but I just love serving and helping people. I’ve taken Oncology esthetics and it’s an interest of mine to help those going through cancer treatments. My brother went through cancer treatments over 30 years ago so I know the effects it has on the family and their bodies.” CW “I believe that what is happening at Camp Wieser is so unique. I have talked to people that have worked at the camp and it sounds like an amazing gift of time and joy to give back to these families. I had done work with Children’s Cancer organizations before, and although rewarding, I felt that there was so much generosity by the public of funds and time to those organizations, that my time was not as important.” ES “Because my family has been touched by cancer, my sister is a 2 time breast cancer survivor, my Dad had breast cancer and my brother died of leukemia after surviving throat cancer a few years before that. Also the joy I have experienced on the faces of these families is something I carry with me always.” KA “To give back. and the ultimate gift is to see campers with a smile on their face.” BW “I have been through personal health challenges for many years having fought my own unique storm to recovery, I know how important it is to not feel left out of “life”. It’s important to feel others cared about you as a person.” DD “This is the most amazing weekend of the year” TG