On a bright, sunny day in mid-June, 95 children, ages 6 to 15, will arrive on the Stanford campus. They, along with their counselors, will bus to Cazadero, Calif. Here, their one week at Camp Kesem will begin.

They look like your average kids, but they share an experience most kids their age do not. Each has a parent who suffers from cancer, is in remission from cancer or has died of cancer.

Camp Kesem started the spring of 2000 when four Jewish Stanford students found in separate studies that children in the Bay Area who have seen a parent suffer from cancer typically lack the support they truly need to cope with the situation.

Many of the young ones hardly know what cancer is. They are often left under the care of one parent — one who needs his or her own support network — or they are looked after by relatives, all the while wondering where their mom or dad has gone.

The older ones are forced to mature far faster than their peers. They might take on the majority of household responsibilities, suddenly find themselves cooking dinner for the family or driving their siblings to soccer practice. They often repress their anger, depression and fear.

In 2001, the Stanford students decided to act on their findings. They began Camp Kesem as a Hillel social action project.

The camp opened with 37 campers and 24 counselors. The camp has expanded since, and this year, 95 campers are expected to join the Camp Kesem family.

Applications for camp go up in hospitals and oncologists’ offices. The application itself is not extensive; it simply asks for basic background information. Campers are selected from the Bay Area on a first-come, first-served. Because of the financial burden families coping with cancer typically experience, Camp Kesem is free of charge for all its campers.

In order to raise enough money to support the camp, the Kesem team works year-round. They sponsor speaker events at Stanford in hopes of bringing the mission of Camp Kesem to a wider audience. This summer, it is estimated that the expenses to run the camp will be $130,000. Thus, the Camp Kesem team appeals to individuals, corporations and foundations during the year for contributions.

The children at Camp Kesem spend one full week simply focusing on having fun.

“The kids are not seen as kids of parents with cancer,” said junior Ben Elberger, former camp counselor and education coordinator. “It is a week for them to enjoy just being kids.”

While the emphasis is on the campers themselves and not the situations they are confronting, Community Outreach Coordinator William Woodward adds that one of the camp’s major functions is to act as a support group.

“Cancer is not a very common occurrence,” he said. “When these kids come and see that others are going through the same experiences, they realize, ‘Hey, it’s not just me.’ ”

The campers enjoy the activities available in most summer camps. There are arts and crafts and drama. There is also the chance to explore nature, go swimming, play various sports and take a chance at a ropes course. Music — in the form of camp songs belted by campers and counselors at the top of their lungs — is prevalent before, during and after meals.

Every evening, the kids and their counselors crowd around a camp fire and enjoy talent shows and game shows. Every week there is a memorial-like service during which campers and counselors sit for a moment and reflect on their experiences and share their feelings.

Counselors are chosen through an application and interview process. In the spring, they go through an extensive training program that includes presentations by oncologists and psychologists as well as role-playing activities.

Campers are encouraged to keep in touch after camp ends. They are all given contact lists at the end of the week and often speak with each other throughout the year.

“I think IMing is very popular among our kids,” said Senior Coordinator Sophie Messer.

Structured events also reunite the campers and their counselors.

According to Family Relations Coordinator Elissa Test, there are two reunions a year for which campers are invited back to the Stanford campus. Newsletters are sent out full of upcoming events, memories and other support service information. When a camper’s birthday comes along, cards and warm wishes are always sent out.

The counselors agree that this social network is one of the most valuable products of the camp program. If the week accomplishes just one thing, Elberger said, he hopes it drives home the point that no child is alone in dealing with the difficult issues and questions they must confront at home.