Camp Kesem, a week-long summer camp founded by Stanford students for the children of families affected by cancer, is gearing up the biggest batch of campers in its seven-year history.

The overnight camp is held the week after Commencement in June. Campers participate in bread-and-butter summer camp activities like arts and crafts, nature walks, ropes courses and campfire sing-alongs, but with the shared experience of being the children of cancer patients. This summer’s Camp Kesem will be held at the Lomamar campsite in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

“I love and trust all of my friends [at Camp Kesem] so much,” said 15 year-old camper Emily Kizzia in a press release. “It’s so great to talk about your experiences and have someone listening who actually understands.”

Staff say campers can hardly wait to come back each summer. In addition to scheduled camp events, if a camper’s parent dies during the year, some staff members and campers get together to attend the funeral.

“It’s a wonderful new take on a camp for an under-serviced group,” said senior Beth Presser, former fundraising coordinator for the camp. “You hear about summer camps for kids with cancer, but this is a totally different idea.”

About 60 to 70 campers attended the first Camp Kesem in 2001, and this year coordinators are capping enrollment at 100 campers. The camp has continued to grow every year since its inception.

“We advertise to the Bay Area community, but we get a lot of referrals from cancer clinics and group therapy organizations,” said sophomore Kyle Evaldez, the camp’s community outreach coordinator. “I think that’s how we get so many new campers each year.”

Fundraising presents a considerable challenge, and two student coordinators work for most of the year to raise the money to hold the camp.

“The camp costs $130,000 annually, and all that money is raised by a few Stanford students,” Evaldez said. “Most of our funding comes from grants and donations from nonprofit organizations, and there are a few private donations and small fundraising events on campus.”

Except for three paid positions — camp director, nurse, and therapist — which are filled by adults, Camp Kesem is entirely staffed by Stanford students who volunteer their time.

After a recruiting process, staffers participate in training during the spring quarter before each camp. Training culminates in a two-day retreat, during which staffers are trained in sensitivity and how to approach and talk with children.

“I got involved last year because my RA was a Camp Kesem coordinator,” said Evaldez. “I had an amazing experience last year. There’s such a community bond and I really connected with the kids. I applied to be a coordinator because I wanted to play a larger role.”

About half of Camp Kesem’s counselors each year are returning staff members like Evaldez, coordinators said.

Contrary to what Evaldez characterized as popular belief, Kesem, which means “magic” in Hebrew, is not religiously affiliated. The program is run through Hillel House, but Hillel only helps the camp find sponsors.

With the financial support of numerous organizations and private donors and a week-long time commitment from Stanford students, the camp remains free to all of its attendees.

Despite its short duration, staffers and campers agreed that Kesem has a positive impact on the lives of all involved.

“It really creates a community,” Presser said. “You wouldn’t think you could create such a bond in one week, but you can.”