Camp Kesem at UCLA
Offers free week-long summer camps and year-round support for children aged 6-18 who have a parent with cancer.
▌ Editor's read The website https://www.kesem.org/ loads successfully, serving as the national site for Camp Kesem, which includes the UCLA chapter. Camp Kesem was founded in 2000 by Scott Kosch, indicating 24 years of operation. The organization is a national nonprofit with chapters at universities across the country, making its owner type 'university' in the context of its chapter structure. The site explicitly states that all volunteers undergo background checks. While the national organization is not listed in the ACA directory, individual chapters may have varying accreditation statuses. Google reviews for 'Camp Kesem at UCLA' show a 4.9-star rating from 10 reviews, with themes highlighting the positive impact on children and the supportive community. The program is an overnight camp, offering free week-long experiences for children aged 6-18 whose parents have cancer. Social media handles found on the site are @campkesem for Instagram and CampKesem for Facebook, representing the national organization.
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Since 200224+ years operating
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University programRun by an academic institution
Who thrives here Ages 6–18
Camp Kesem at UCLA is built for middle-school campers — an age where leadership tracks, deeper specialization, and identity exploration take over from generalist day-camp formats. multi-activity programs that thrive at this age publish a clear weekly progression rather than a rotating activity menu, and the staff-to-camper conversation usually matters more than the activity list.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Not verified
- Established
- 2002 (24 years)
- Operator
- University program
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Not listed
Details
- Category: Multi-Activity
- Ages: 6–18
- Address: UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Phone: (310) 351-6854
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: Free for eligible families
↗ What parents like
- Completely free
- Supportive community for families affected by cancer
↘ Watch for
- Only for families affected by cancer
Logistics
- Lunch provided: Yes
- Transportation: No
- Financial aid: Yes
- Setting: mixed
Frequently asked about Camp Kesem at UCLA
- What ages does Camp Kesem at UCLA accept?
- Camp Kesem at UCLA is open to children ages 6–18. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Camp Kesem at UCLA cost?
- Camp Kesem at UCLA doesn't publish a flat per-week rate — pricing varies by session. Free for eligible families Contact the camp directly for the current schedule of fees.
- Who runs Camp Kesem at UCLA?
- Camp Kesem at UCLA is operated by a university program, with 24 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Camp Kesem at UCLA provide lunch?
- Yes — Camp Kesem at UCLA includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
- Does Camp Kesem at UCLA offer financial aid?
- Yes — Camp Kesem at UCLA offers financial aid or scholarships. Most camp aid is need-based, application-based, and awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted, so apply as soon as the form opens (usually January-February for the upcoming summer).
- How does Camp Kesem at UCLA compare to other multi-activity camps in Los Angeles?
- Camp Kesem at UCLA is one of 22 multi-activity camps in Los Angeles that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Camp Kesem at UCLA with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
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