Send a Sick Kid to Camp

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tropical Smoothie Café for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

How You Can Help Send a Sick Kid to Camp

Childhood should be a carefree time, but for many kids who are dealing with a life threatening illness it’s anything but. These youngsters often don’t get to do many of the things children enjoy, including going to camp. Tropical Smoothie Café is working to make a difference in the lives of these kids and their families and you can help!

Tropical Smoothie Café is a big supporter of Camp Sunshine, a literal ray of hope for these kiddos. It’s located at Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine. It’s very special place is a retreat for children who are battling life threatening illness. The camp has been gong strong for over thirty years. Founded in 1984, this wondrous place gives kids a break from worrying about their illnesses and an opportunity to focus on just being a kid at camp. The children and their families get to participate in activities and get support. That is one of the things that make Camp Sunshine such an amazing place… the whole family gets to enjoy the camp experience! Plus the camp is offered year-round, not just in the summer, so kids can go when it’s best for them.

A typical day at Camp Sunshine includes a hearty breakfast, and tons of fun things to do including arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, mini-golf and archery! Depending on the season, activities may also include snowshoeing, ice-skating, and sledding. After a good lunch (and a rest for younger kids) there is a opportunity for parents to connect and share their experience with others who are dealing with similar situations. Following a delicious dinner, there are more cool things to experience at night like a masquerade party and talent show!

The camp is offered free of charge to families and they even offer on-site medical and psychosocial support. Do you know a family who would like to go to Camp Sunshine?

How to Apply for Camp Sunshine

1. Visit Share the Sunshine

2. You can nominate a family (including your own) with a child dealing with a life-threatening illness with the Camp Sunshine Official Application

3. If nominating a family that’s not your own, reach out to them and let them know they’ll be receiving an official email from Camp Sunshine that they’ll need to fill out in order to be considered.

4. The application has to be mailed in, faxed, or emailed.

5. Camp Sunshine will go through the applications and determine which families meet the required criteria.

Nominations for the contest will be accepted from 8:00 am ET on May 1, 2016 until 11:59 pm ET on June 30, 2016.

National Flip Flop Day 6/17 & Score a FREE Smoothie

This is the tenth year that the Tropical Smoothie Café has partnered with Camp Sunshine. For years, all their fundraising work as made a tangible difference in the lives of these kids and their families. The third Friday in June (this year the date is June 17th) is National Flip Flop Day.

That’s the day that Tropical Smoothie Café celebrates customers also while raising awareness for Camp Sunshine and raising money for Camp Sunshine! Just wear your flip flops and visit your local Tropical Smoothie Café on 6/17 from 2pm-7pm to score a FREE Jetty Punch Smoothie, and while you’re there, donate to Camp Sunshine.