Washington D.C. Experience

Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. Experience
Train and advocate for childhood cancer research and funding in our nation’s capital

CAMP DATES
February 11-15, 2024

AGE
Middle and high-school aged campers (diagnosed child or siblings) eligible to apply, experience is for the full (immediate) family

LOCATION
Washington D.C.

APPLY
Be on the lookout for application information in late fall/early winter.

The Washington D.C. Experience gives campers and their families the opportunity to advocate for childhood cancer research and funding in partnership with the Alliance for Childhood Cancer. Campers and their immediate families will receive a day of training and then will have ‘one day on the hill’ where they will be able to speak to representatives at the Capitol. In addition, campers and families will have time for family bonding and opportunities to explore Washington D.C. as a family and with the group.

Experience dates and application links will be shared in late fall or early winter as dates are based on the congressional calendar. This opportunity is open to middle and high-school aged campers (diagnosed child or siblings) and their immediate families, and airfare and hotel fees will be covered by Camp One Step. Approximately three families will be chosen for this experience so the application process will be very selective. There will also be a waitlist for the majority of applicant families.

More details to come!

Meet your Program Directors

Linsey Smith, Program Director

Linsey was a camper at an oncology camp in California and always knew she wanted to give back by being a counselor someday. When she moved to Chicago she found Camp One Step and was able to fulfill that goal. She started volunteering with Camp One Step in 2010 as a counselor at Summer Camp with the Stepping Up program. Linsey currently serves as the program director for Winter Camp as well as the Washington D.C. program and program leader for the Excel program at Summer Camp. She has previously served as program coordinator for Winter Camp and as a counselor at Summer Camp, Winter Camp, Washington D.C. Experience, Family Camp, and Chicago Day Camp.

Adam Petraglia, Program Director

Before becoming a volunteer, Adam was a camper at Camp One Step!  ACE was his first program as a 12 year old and he attended camp for 8 years before becoming a volunteer in 2010.  Adam says that the sense of belonging has always been what keeps him coming back to Camp One Step. He was once a young cancer survivor in tears on his first day of camp as his mom drove away, but immediately found this place to be a second home and a second family and hasn’t turned back since.  Adam is currently a program director for the Washington D.C. Experience but has also been a counselor at Summer Camp, Brain Tumor Family Camp, Dude Ranch, Family Camp, and Winter Camp.

Photos from past camps

Our Medical Team

Camp One Step’s Medical Director, Susie Burke, leads our volunteer medical team. The Camp One Step medical team is comprised of volunteer health care professionals who have a passion for working with children and adolescents who are or have experienced the challenges of a life threatening illness. Even though it is important to have staff with pediatric oncology experience, we also welcome staff with other clinical backgrounds such as general pediatrics, adult oncology, emergency, and ICU to name a few. The medical staff work closely together in teams to address the medical needs of each camper. Our goal is to promote the health and well-being of the campers in an atmosphere of fun.

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

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Medical Volunteers photo in William Bay on the walking trail

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