Camp Smile-A-Mile

Camp Smile-A-Mile is a non-profit organization in Alabama providing year -round programs for children who have or have had cancer and their family at no cost. Camp SAM's headquarters are located on Birmingham's southside close to Children's Hospital. However, the campsite facility is at Children's Harbor on beautiful Lake Martin in Alexander City, Alabama. Before Camp SAM, children with cancer in Alabama couldn't go to an overnight camp because of chemotherapy or other medical treatments. Now, children with cancer can attend camp while receiving the medical care they need. More than 400 children have participated in Camp SAM. Camp Smile-A-Mile was founded in 1985. Our mission today is to provide year round challenging, unforgettable recreational and educational experiences for young cancer patients, their families as well as young adult survivors from Alabama at no cost. Our purpose is to provide these patients, families and survivors with avenues for fellowship, to help them cope with their disease, and to prepare them for life after cancer. Children up to age 18 who are current or former cancer patients and long term childhood cancer survivors. Pediatric Oncology Nurses and Physicians from The Children's Hospital in Birmingham spend the week or weekend at camp to administer the medications and tend to all the health needs of camp participants. Program activities/camps include: Tots-N-Tykes Weekend, an overnight camp for young cancer patients up to age 8 and their families; Family Camp Weekend for campers up to age 18 and their families; two weeklong camp sessions- one week for campers, ages 5-12 and one week for teen campers, ages 13-18; Sibling Camp Weekend for brothers and sisters only, ages 6-18; and Off Therapy Family Camp ; and a Young Adult Retreat for childhood cancer survivors, ages 19-30; monthly activities, teen trips, etc.