The Hiltons of Chicago – Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, Hilton Chicago, and The Drake, a Hilton Hotel will once again be partnering with non-profit organization, Camp Kids Are Kids to create a virtual version of the annual fun-filled urban summer camp for children living with cancer. From August 10-14, 2020, campers ages 7 to 17 will get the opportunity to ‘just be kids’ from the comfort of their home or hospital bed.
With this year’s summer camp going virtual, more children than ever before are able to participate, particularly those who are currently in the hospital. Nearly 90 campers are confirmed to join this year, which is almost double the amount as usual.
“We are calling it our silver lining amid the COVID clouds,” said Rich Brundige, Executive Director, Camp Kids are Kids. “We are even planning more virtual camps so we can continue to welcome as many children as possible.”
This year, The Drake, a Hilton Hotel has opened up one of its meeting rooms to Brundige who will be stationed on property to direct the daily activities, along with various camp counselors who will join from home to lead each session. Brundige and his team put together ‘Camp Bags’ for each camper that contains all of the supplies they need to participate in each activity, from art and music materials, candy ingredients for a ‘Candy Sushi’ making class, and more. The bags were hand delivered to each family at home or at the hospital to ensure that all campers are prepared.
Daily activities range from art and music class to yoga and TikTok dance video sessions. Other featured activities include a virtual version of the famed Magic Parlous show at Palmer House by third-generation magician, Dennis Watkins and a cooking class hosted by Hilton Chicago’s Executive Chef, Mario Garcia. Camp Kids has also partnered with the Lincoln Park Zoo who will host a virtual tour of their Regenstein African Journey.
Parents of the campers are not left out either. This year, Hilton Chicago will offer a giveaway for parents to win a complimentary overnight stay in a suite next summer 2021. Looking ahead to next summer’s camp, Hilton Chicago will host a parent’s camp for the first time, which will be dedicated to their wellbeing.
Camp Kids Are Kids Chicago was founded in 2013 by a team of Chicago community leaders and pediatric oncology camping professionals who envisioned the creation of an urban camp for children living with cancer and this year, their siblings. As the camp has been an enormous success and has expanded to create more opportunities for kids all over Illinois, the creation of the Siblings Camp is a monumental step in furthering the program to other parts of the country.
“We remain committed to our partnership with Camp Kids Are Kids and are proud to be able to create a virtual version of the camp for so many children.” Said Gene Hare, Area Director of Sales and Marketing, Hiltons of Chicago. “While we miss having the kids physically on property in their bunk-bed guest rooms and taking over our meeting rooms, we love being able to witness the creation of an equally fun virtual version and look forward to welcoming them back as soon as possible.”
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