KTNV (LAS VEGAS) — Kesem is Hebrew for "magic" and at Camp Kesem, magic is truly made.
It's a national organization that gives kids whose parents have cancer a chance to go to summer camp.
The camp is hosted by UNLV students who plan for a year and fundraise all of the money needed to put the camp on.
Las Vegas valley kids are then invited to attend.
All of the kids have a parent who either has cancer, survived cancer or passed away from cancer. At camp, they can bond with other children who have been through similar situations and they're also given a chance to escape the stress of being at home.
"The big part about camp for me is just to let these kids be kids again," said one camp counselor.
One attendee said she's not good at dealing with the stress of her mom having cancer, so coming to camp is a way to connect with others her age and simply have fun.
"I don’t have to think about it, I don’t have to have that burden on me. I just go about my day at camp like a normal kid," said the camper.
This is the second year UNLV has hosted a local chapter of Camp Kesem.
For 2019, UNLV students surpassed the fundraising goal of $28,000. There is a golf tournament and gala hosted to help bring in money for the camp.
