Giving Thanks and Giving Back: Our Passions Beyond Camp

As we transition into November, the spirit of gratitude fills the air. Here at Camp Wicosuta, our full-time team is reflecting on what we are most thankful for—our vibrant camp community, the unforgettable summers we create together, and the opportunity to spend the off-season planning for the next amazing camp experience. But when we’re not busy preparing for next summer, we each find ways to give back to causes that are close to our hearts.

We’d like to share the charities we are each passionate about. We believe that by giving back, we can make a difference in our communities—both at camp and beyond. The value of community extends beyond just the Wico community; it is something we actively seek out, and our team finds ways to support and uplift others throughout the year. This idea was inspired by two of our own, Carly and Catherine, who are running the NYC Marathon this year to raise money and awareness for charities that are very important to each of them.  

COREY: JCCA COTTAGE SCHOOL

Corey supports the JCCA Cottage School, a residential program that provides a safe and nurturing environment for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The program offers therapeutic care, educational support, and life skills training to help these young individuals heal and thrive. Corey first volunteered monthly with her daughter, Sophie, through her high school career, and has since continued with her son, Charlie. Corey is drawn to the fact that JCCA Cottage School emphasizes the importance of empowering children to help and support one another, something she is passionate within our camp community as well. It’s a grassroots, community-focused approach that provides immediate, hands-on support to the local community, creating a sense of connection and understanding. It’s especially meaningful to Corey that she gets to share this experience with her own children, creating a bond over giving back and supporting others.

JUSTIN: FRED’S TEAM

Justin is a proud supporter of Fred’s Team, a fundraising program that supports cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Named after running legend Fred Lebow, who founded the NYC Marathon, Fred’s Team allows participants to run marathons, races, and other events while raising money to fund groundbreaking cancer treatments. The funds raised by Fred’s Team are directed toward innovative research projects at MSK, helping to improve treatment options and outcomes for cancer patients worldwide. Justin has run two NYC Marathons as part of Fred’s Team, personally raising over $25,000 in honor of his mother and other close family members who have benefited from MSK’s care. For Justin, supporting Fred’s Team is a way to give back to an organization that has been there for his family.

CARLY: JOHN RITTER FOUNDATION

Carly is a dedicated supporter of the John Ritter Foundation (JRF), particularly its initiative, JRF Love for Livie, an initiative started by her two friends in memory of their daughter. This program was created to honor the memory of Livie, who tragically passed away before she turned 2 from an undiagnosed aortic condition. The foundation raises awareness for aortic health and funds research to prevent and treat aortic aneurysms and dissections, emphasizing the importance of early detection and proper medical care. This year, Carly is running the NYC Marathon with JRF Love for Livie, focusing on educating families about the risk factors, symptoms, and genetic components associated with aortic disease. We’ll be cheering her on every step of the way on November 3^rd!

LIZ: HAZEL STRONG

Liz is committed to the mission of Hazel Strong, an organization dedicated to supporting families affected by pediatric cancer. She has raised funds through The Cycle for Survival for Team, Hazel Strong, emphasizing the urgent need for research and resources in the fight against childhood cancer. Her best friend’s daughter, Hazel, was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), a rare blood cancer. While there’s been great progress in adult cancer research, there’s still so much work to be done for our kids and so little funding allocated specifically to childhood cancer research. Raising money for cancer research through Hazel Strong, helps to shine a light on pediatric cancer and ensure that every child has access to the resources and treatments they need to fight these challenges and enjoy their childhood to the fullest.

CATHERINE: National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC)

In May 2022, Catherine’s aunt, Sheila, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, a disease that affects over 22,000 women each year in the United States. Like many, Sheila’s diagnosis came as a surprise due to the lack of preventative testing and the subtle, often vague symptoms that can easily be mistaken for more benign conditions. This year, Catherine is running the New York City Marathon with Team Teal in support of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC). Support for the NOCC will help improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities touched by ovarian cancer. Dollars raised for the NOCC support national programs and local market initiatives to heighten awareness of the subtle signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, assist newly-diagnosed patients throughout the country, provide ongoing support to caregivers, and advocate for the advancement of ovarian cancer research.

As we continue to plan for another wonderful summer, we carry with us the values that make Camp Wicosuta a special place—confidence, competence and community. We are grateful not only for the opportunity to make a difference at camp but also for the ability to contribute to these causes throughout the year.

This season, we invite you to reflect on what you are thankful for and consider how you can give back in your own way. We can’t wait to see you next summer, but until then, we’ll keep planning, giving, and being grateful for the chance to make a difference.

Happy November and have a wonderful Thanksgiving from all of us at Wico!