Get Involved FAQs

• Doctors, child life specialists and social workers agree that the Sunrise experience has been transformative for both their patients and siblings. Sunrise helps heal the child and offers hope that each child might experience the true meaning of childhood. 
• Pediatric oncologists tell us that Sunrise has become as necessary part of the protocol to caring for the health of the children as the medicine they administer. 
• The Feinstein Institute of Northwell Health is conducting research to confirm that children who attend Sunrise programs are tolerating their treatments better and are recovering faster. 

Imagine the joy and healing power that Sunrise Association programs offer.  These programs make the biggest difference in children’s lives…and you can, too! 

• Become a Sunrise Benefactor by sponsoring a cocktail reception, golf outing or a major event to benefit our campers 
• Honor someone special with a tribute gift 
• Establish a special endowment fund in your name or in the name of someone meaningful to you 
• Be a Sponsor of Fun at Sunrise Day Camp, one of our Year-Round Programs or In-Hospital Programs 
• Create a walk-a-thon team and join us at our annual SunriseWALKS!
• Give a gift from your heart 
• Make a recurring donation

For information on how you can help Sunrise Association bring smiles to children with cancer, please contact Beth Fetner, Chief Development Officer, at 516.634.4196 

Sunrise Day Camps Locations: 

Sunrise Day Camp-Long Island, NY
Sunrise Day Camp-Pearl River, NY
Sunrise Day Camp-Greater Philadelphia
Sunrise Day Camp-Staten Island, NY
Sunrise Day Camp-Chicago, IL
Sunrise Day Camp-Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Horizon Day Camp-Baltimore, MD
Horizon Day Camp-Metro DC
Aurora Day Camp-Greater Atlanta, GA
Sunrise-Israel Katz in Beit Yehoshuah
Sunrise-Israel Katz in Be’er Sheva
Sunrise-Israel Katz in Ramat Yochanan
SunriseVX – Virtual Experience 

Sunrise remains committed to providing our camping and in-hospital services to all our families at no charge, while continuing to bring our services to even more communities around the world where we can have the greatest impact.

Sunrise Association’s national expansion will bring Sunrise magic to 1/3 of all children in the US impacted by pediatric cancer.  

We look for areas with a centralized pediatric oncology presence within close proximity to one another. 

Once those have identified, we being to reach out to philanthropic business people or organization in order to retain a financial commitment that will allow us to look for a location and begin hiring office staff. 

Learn more about our mission to bring the magic of Sunrise to one third of all children impacted by pediatric cancer by 2026.  

We have brought joy to over 45,000 children with cancer and their siblings since 2006. 

• 1,844 Campers Attended Sunrise Day Camps in 2022 
• 2,562 children participated in our Sunrise on Wheels in-hospital programs 
• 29,018 children engaged through Sunrise Virtual programs including SunriseVX and Wheels Up! 

Siblings face tremendous challenges both socially and recreationally as the family’s focus turns to the brother’s or sister’s medical needs. At Sunrise, siblings can play and interact as other brothers and sisters do; they are free to be with friends in a very normal, fun way while escaping the constant worry often found in a home with a chronically ill child. They also learn to better understand and deal with their sibling’s illness and their own feelings.  

Our percentage of primary campers vs siblings is approximately 47% vs 53%. 

Yes, most of our camp staff is paid a salary for the summer. 

We are extremely touched that many give the money back when they get their paycheck on the last day of camp.  It’s a testament to how truly fortunate we are to have our camp staff and who out very special, caring counselors are. 

Our counselors are ages 17+ and are specially trained prior to the opening of camp. Our camps’ on-site directors have extensive experience with children and camping.  They come from many different backgrounds, with one common goal: to make their time with our children the happiest it can be. After their experience at our camps, many of our counselors choose a career in health-related fields. 

Interested in working at a Sunrise Day Camp? View our summer job opportunities. 

We have a 4:1 ratio.  We also offer special needs children 1:1 supervision. 

Yes, all of our summer, year-round and hospital programs are completely free of charge to all of our families. 

While the physical and mental effects of cancer are hard to ignore, the financial impact this disease has on families is often overlooked. When a child is diagnosed, it is common for one parent to stop working in order to manage their child’s disease. Having one less source of income, combined with endless medical expenses only adds to the stress of fighting the disease.  No family will ever be charged for a Sunrise program. 

Yes, our camps have air-conditioned Wellness Centers, supported by on-site pediatric oncology nurses and a medical director on call.  Most medications can be easily administered, and ample indoor areas are provided for children to just “cool down.”  In the unlikely event of an emergency, transportation by ambulance is provided. 

Sunrise on Wheels is an innovative program that transforms what could be a bleak day of treatment into a day of camp fun for children in pediatric oncology units of participating hospitals. Our volunteers wheel a rainbow trunk filled with toys, games, and activities right into many of our affiliated hospitals, brightening the day for those awaiting treatment. 

Our year-round programs extend the joy of camp beyond summer, keeping the spirit alive throughout the year. We host Sundays and Fun-days – special activity days for our campers – during the school year, often with the same staff who make their summers so wonderful. These camp-like activity days include sports, crafts, special shows & programs, delicious snacks, and sometimes even swimming in an indoor pool! We offer transportation just like summer camp, and some of our year-round programs are family events, where parents and children enjoy the fun-filled festivities together. 

When one of our campers is hospitalized, our staff or volunteers make special visits with surprises, stories, and a cheerful smile. These visits provide a sense of continuity, lessen the feeling of isolation that hospital stays can bring, and offer parents a brief respite. 

SunriseVX is our virtual summer camp option, allowing children to experience the joy and camaraderie of camp from the comfort of their homes. Perfect for those who can’t attend the physical camp, SunriseVX provides a camp experience that is just as engaging and fun. 

Wheels Up! is another exciting program that brings the joys of camp directly to children in the hospital and at home. In these half-hour episodes, children can embark on virtual adventures, make crafts, participate in trivia and more. This program, just like all Sunrise programs, is provided free of charge thanks to our continued partnership with American Airlines.