Know Cancer

Special Days Camps exists to provide a safe and memorable camping opportunity in a medically supervised environment for children who have experienced cancer, their siblings, and their families. Our unique camp was founded by George and Carole Royer in 1978. George was a pediatric oncologist in Kalamazoo, Michigan who read about a camp program held outside Chicago. One night, he came home and announced to his wife that he wanted to start a program. That summer, with 50 campers and a volunteer staff of friends and medical workers from Michigan hospitals, Special Days Camps began. Five years later, George and Carole started Special Days Partners, a program for siblings. They realized the need to have a special place and time for siblings, because cancer affects the whole family. Although retired, they still participate in camp, as do their daughters Lynne and Pam, who serve as Health Director and Assistant Camp Director.