Camp Kesem is a college-student-run summer camp for kids whose parents have (or have had) cancer.  The camp's mission is two-fold: to provide children whose parents have or have had cancer with a summer camp experience that gives them a chance to be kids; and to allow college students to channel their passion for making a difference, while developing critical leadership skills for long term social impact.

Camp Kesem has had tremendous success and experienced rapid growth in the past 8 years.   The organization has grown from one camp and 37 campers in 2001 to a national 501(c)3 organization with Camp Kesem programs on 24 university campuses in 14 states.  This past summer, 859 children attended one of 20 free Camp Kesem camps – 22 camps are planned for 2009 with over 1000 children.  

Camp Kesem has created training manuals, set national standards and benchmarks for all campuses, established teen programs for campers ages14-16, and post graduation opportunities for student leaders. Growth in campus programs has created jobs for two full time Program Directors who supervise the teams of students working to create Camp Kesem throughout the school year: providing on site training, weekly phone support, regional and national conferences and summer camp visits.   Board members currently rotate the responsibilities of Executive Director.  However, with the rapid growth over the past few years, the business of running Camp Kesem now needs an Executive Director with experience in developing a sustainable national nonprofit organization.    

Camp Kesem is seeking the assistance of HBS Community Partners in developing a Strategic Plan.  Camp Kesem has reached a critical juncture in its growth and recognizes the need for a strategic plan to guide its efforts to broaden national awareness and expand its fundraising capacity thus enabling Camp Kesem to hire an executive director.