Connected Logo

Can’t make it to camp in person?
CONNECTED brings camp to you!

Our FREE digital program, CONNECTED, reaches campers (whether newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in remission), siblings, and their families who may not be able to attend an in-person program at this time.

Through on-demand activities, single or multi-day programs, and educational sessions, CONNECTED brings the magic of camp to you at home, in the hospital….WHEREVER you are!

DATES
Thursday, March 20th -Sunday, March 23rd

AGES
Families of diagnosed campers ages 0-19

LOCATION
Zoom

APPLY

Applications for 2025 have closed.

VOLUNTEER

Applications for 2025 have closed.

Please reach out to Devin Ryan-Holanda ([email protected]) if you have any questions!

CONNECTED FAMILY PROGRAM

Welcome to Jurassic Camp! Get ready to spend time with Camp One Step families on a jurassic-themed adventure. Participants will join online for any or all of the activities, as well as enjoy offline fun!

On Demand

CONNECTED On Demand will bring camp to you 365 days a year. This virtual connection allows our community to create shared experiences in a digital format. We created CONNECTED On Demand to offer virtual camp experiences that allow our campers to participate in their favorite camp games and activities from anywhere. Check out what CONNECTED On Demand is all about.

Steam
food
wellness
online game
songs & playlist

Meet your Program Directors

Kaelyn Beberdick, Program Director
Kaelyn started coming to camp when she was twelve years old after having been diagnosed with Leukemia earlier that year.  Her very first program was one that her doctor had recommended, the Washington D.C. Experience. It was there that Kaelyn says she met some amazing people, now lifelong friends, that convinced her to try Summer Camp that following year and the rest is history! Kaelyn has been involved with Camp One Step since 2006 – first as a camper, then as a camp counselor and now as a Program Director for Connected.  She has been a camp counselor for Summer Camp, Winter Camp, Washington D.C., Family Camp, Utah Ski, Brain Tumor Family Camp, Chicago Day Camp, and almost all of the CONNECTED programming done since its inception. She is now super excited to step into a leadership volunteer role with Connected.  Kaelyn says what keeps her coming back is the magic that camp creates when we all come together!
Sarah Kravitz, Program Coordinator 

Sarah learned about Camp One Step while working as a Child Life Assistant at Comer Children’s Hospital and while in Graduate School studying to get her Masters of Child Development with a concentration in Child Life. Child Life Specialists are able to collaborate with Camp One Step and provide resources and introduce programming to their patients and families, which is the main way that she learned about COS. In the fall of 2023, Sarah started volunteering with CONNECTED and has been able to help facilitate activities and digital sessions. As a Program Coordinator for CONNECTED, she will now get an opportunity to coordinate and plan each digital camp!

Donna Eads, Program Coordinator 

During her own time in the hospital, child life specialists introduced Donna to Camp One Step. She says she knew once she was old enough she wanted to volunteer and grow within an organization dedicated to childhood cancer.  Donna has been involved with Camp One Step for 7 years in various volunteer roles including Summer Camp Counselor, CONNECTED Counselor, and CONNECTED Program Coordinator. She says seeing the smiles of the kids who she gets to interact with and share normalcy with continues to bring her back to camp!

Testimonials

“I think it’s great that we are not only connecting kids virtually, but we’re able to connect them virtually to so many activities throughout the world.“
– Camper Parent

“We just loved being able to spend time together and not have to worry about going out and buying things to have fun. The family movie night and Kinex activity was probably our favorite!“
– Camper Family

Have any Questions?

About our camps
Devin Ryan-Holanda Vice President Camps & Programs
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 312.924.4220

Jessica Hopper Director of Program Operations
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 312.924.4220

Madeline Brown Programs Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 312.924.4220

About our CONNECTED programs
Devin Ryan-Holanda Vice President Camps & Programs
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 312.924.4220

About our medical team
Susie Burke Medical Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 312.924.4220