Over the past 7 years, Halo of Hope has sponsored children with cancer from Northwest Indiana, Chicago, Omaha, Lincoln, Seattle and St. Louis to attend the Circle of Friends Camp. The Circle of Friends camp was created to give children with pediatric cancer and blood disorder illnesses the opportunity to feel like independent, healthy, free-spirited kids. This camp has been held for the last 15 years, and has served a few hundred children. Each year Jared and other NFL players raise money to attend and participate in camp activities with the kids. These camps are life changing and often a last great opportunity for the children who are terminally ill.
In the past Jared Tomich, Grant Wistrom, Brian Young, Rich Coady, Chris Kelsay and other NFL players have joined Jerry Wunsch’s Foundation in hosting these camps and making sure the campers have the time of their lives.
Winter Camp
The winter camp is held every year and hosts approximately 30-40 campers. Winter camp is a time for the children to meet new friends who are facing the same illness, enjoy the outdoors and experience things they typically may be unable to do, due to their illnesses. The former professional athletes that participate in these camps do everything with the campers to make their experiences exciting and memorable. Winter Camp can include activities such as sledding (with the formers pulling or carry many of our campers up the sledding hills), visits to Lambeau Field, enjoying the snowy outdoors, game nights, arts and crafts, bowling and a great deal of bonding and activities with other campers.
Summer Reunion Camp
Every two years the group hosts a summer reunion trip where new adventures await them. The reunion camp rotates locations and hosts 60-80 campers from the previous two Winter Camps. Summer reunion camps are a great way for campers to reconnect and for several campers to share their triumphs over cancer. This camp is a feel good time that helps to further solidify relationships built during winter camp, and also celebrate those who were unable to make the trip back for summer camp. Typically, the summer camps rotate locations and feature fun summer outdoor activities.
What does it cost?
Circle of Friends Camp (5-6 day experience): $2,000 per camper
This fee provides: Transportation, lodging, meals, activities, some active wear and helps cover a nurse that is split between campers from the same hospital. Children who attend the camp are never asked to pay for the cost of camp. The generation support for Halo of Hope advocates allows the child to attend camp and not be burdened by expenses.