Program Coordinator Sarah Kravitz
How did you get involved with Camp One Step?
I 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 my 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 I learned about COS.
How long have you been involved with our organization?
I started volunteering with Camp One Step in the Fall of 2023!
What volunteer roles have you held?
I have been a volunteer for CONNECTED and have been able to help facilitate activities, digital sessions, and am so grateful to now get an opportunity to coordinate and plan each digital camp as well as grow my role within different programs and aspects of what Camp provides to all. I cannot wait to be a part of COS as a Program Coordinator/Leader!
What keeps you coming back to Camp One Step?
It directly aligns with promoting psychosocial, emotional well-being, normalization, and positive experiences for those currently or previously impacted by Cancer in varying ways, both in-person and virtually to offer the most immersive and diverse experiences to all. In order to promote opportunities for friendships, community, normalization, and family bonding, COS is truly a robust organization that directly provides campers, siblings, and families with experiences that are adapted and meet each of their needs at their pace, circumstances, and does so in such a comforting, supportive way. Highlighting the families and kiddos strengths through promoting family bonding and sibling camps is such an essential part of the culture and community at COS.
What do you love the most about the program you lead?
CONNECTED allows the kids, families, and siblings to participate in Camp regardless of where, when, how, and what circumstances one may find themselves in. They can make Camp what best suits their ability to participate and immerse themselves, whether it is only some of the days, part of the day, from their hospital bed, or at their home in between visits. The flexibility and ease that comes with CONNECTED is truly so important for caregivers, families, and patients because the materials and chance to participate is right at their fingertips from wherever is most comfortable for them.
What are some words of wisdom or advice that you would give campers?
BE CURIOUS! Come to Camp with an open mind and let yourself explore, curate, and learn. Camp offers a chance to fill your days with such fun, goofy, unique, and creative activities and conversations that are things you may never thought would be something that you love or enjoy doing! SURPRISE yourself! You never know how fun something is until you try it :) It is a safe, open space to enjoy the best parts of being a kid. Finding new friends, learning new ideas, and the best part…. Taking away some of the best knock knock jokes to share with family and friends after Camp is over!
What are some words of wisdom or advice that you would give new or interested volunteers?
Just HAVE FUN! The best part of COS and CONNECTED specifically is how important it is to participate in the simple things that make kids themselves… whether it is laughing from a Kahoot game, asking questions about the next step of how to make slime, or complimenting and hyping up campers in the Zoom messaging chat…. It all is so meaningful and important, even if it feels overwhelming and strange at first. The kids fully immerse themselves into the zoom and make you feel SO welcomed. It truly is so special, so just ENJOY and have FUN!
What are some of your interests outside of camp?
Outside of camp, I enjoy going to concerts, painting, going to Yoga, cooking dinner with friends and family, and spending time with my Shihtzu named Scarlet! I also love to hike, try new restaurants, and travel whenever I get the chance.
