Lisa Langrehr – President, The Bridewell Foundation
For one week each July, 140 kids with cancer pack their bags and head to Camp Esperanza where they have an experience of a lifetime. The week will be full of surprises and adventure. Camp allows them the opportunity to discover just how normal they can still be by sharing stories, laughter and fun with others that are on the same cancer-fighting journey. Camp provides a break for young patients where they share the best medicine of all – HOPE! Esperanza is the Spanish word for hope. The Bridewell Foundation makes this happen for these children. For 35 years we continue to send kids to camp free of charge.
As a counselor, a former Camp Co-Director and now President of the Bridewell Foundation I want to express my passion for Camp Esperanza. It’s hard to convey my feelings in writing but when you see the smiles and hear the laughter at camp you will understand immediately. See the “photo gallery†and you’ll get a feeling from the camper’s smiles!
Camp Esperanza has a dedicated staff. Our retention rate is over 90% and many of our counselors have volunteered for over 10 years, and some over 20 years. In 2016, our volunteer staff consisted of 21 counselors who attended Camp Esperanza as campers. These counselors represent HOPE for our kids. Camp truly touches the lives of our campers, their families, the medical staff and over 75 adult volunteers who offer up a week of their lives.
In order for camp to be free of charge to each camper, the Bridewell Foundation raises $500/camper to cover operating costs. There are many levels of donations and each dollar is important to our kids. Please consider making a donation today. Our motto is “It’s for the Kids”.