Bright smiles, squeals of laughter and music filled the air for a full week as over 300 children with cancer, their siblings and volunteer camp counselors shared in the life-changing experience of Camp Happy Days. From June 29 through July 5, these children adventured into an exciting, make-believe world which offered an endless flow of big surprises. This year’s theme, iCAMP – Dance to the Music, offered a celebration of a different music genre each day. From Country Western and Bluegrass, to the 70s and 80s, to Rock and Hip Hop, each day the kids enjoyed activities surrounded by their favorite tunes playing from a giant six foot iPod that was custom made for Camp Happy Days.
“Most summer camps focus on having fun and creating opportunities for new friendships. However, at Camp Happy Days we accomplish this and so much more. Our mission is to create life-changing and inspiring experiences for children battling cancer”, said Amy Ethridge, executive director of Camp Happy Days.
This is all made possible by the working partnerships between Camp Happy Days, MUSC’s Children’s Hospital, MUSCs Department of Pediatric Oncology and Clemson University’s Youth Learning Institute.
Children are presented with unlimited opportunities to experience almost anything they could ever imagine.  From boating, parasailing, woodworking, ceramics, a high ropes challenge course and climbing wall,  teen lock-ins and world class performances, the options were endless as children were transported to a place filled with great hope and renewed inspiration.  
Team building activities were also an integral part of the camp experience, encouraging camper-to-camper interaction and teaching invaluable lessons about communication, responsibility and teamwork.  
While having fun is always paramount, the ultimate goal is to offer hope, inspiration and encouragement to children battling cancer. At Camp, these children have a  opportunity to meet and bond with others who know what it’s like to lose their hair, have scars from surgery or even lose a limb to cancer.  There is no embarrassment or need for explanation at Camp.  Everyone understands and children can let their guard down and simply enjoy the magic and wonder of being a kid.      
Camp Happy Days is a powerful experience where these very special kids form supportive relationships that last long after Camp is over.  It’s a place where they find renewed strength and hope which gives them the will to continue fighting.  Summarized in the words of  one camper currently battling cancer:
“It’s always really depressing leaving camp; you leave with what seems like so much more than a week of memories.  Nothing can ever compare to just the profound impact that Happy Days has had on my life and who I am, and cancer sucks big time, but I actually consider myself lucky that I was fortunate enough to meet so many wonderful people, and  that I get to be a part of such a great organization. It’s a really big part of my life and I  wouldn’t trade the memories or the friends that I’ve made there for anything in the world.”