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Our History
| In 1982, C.O.C.A., Children's Oncology Camps of America was founded by a dozen pioneer oncology camps. The personnel from these twelve camps found the lives of children with cancer were immeasurably enhanced by camping. Noting their similar experiences, these visionary souls believed a forum should be created to share their ideas and experiences. That forum known as C.O.C.A. currently consists of over 65 member camps from within the United States. |
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There are also several member camps from Canadian provinces and several camps located on faraway continents such as New Zealand and Europe. In 1996, C.O.C.A. officially changed its name to Children's Oncology Camping Association, International, to incorporate the camps outside of the United States.
COCA-I meets annually at a conference hosted by a member camp.
VisionTo be the leader in serving camps for children with cancer and their families.
MissionTo strengthen the international community of camps for children with cancer and their families through networking, advocacy, and education.
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2012 Conference Call for Speakers
Do you have knowledge to share? Maybe a fundraising success story, programming ideas, camper safety tips, recent research, or a host of other topics.
Sign up today to serve as a speaker for one of COCA-I's educational sessions!
Children with Cancer
Positive Benefits of Camp
by Christy Winfree, M.S., Richard Williams, Ed.D., and Gwynn M. Powell, Ph.D.
Since childhood cancer has evolved from an inevitably fatal illness to a life-threatening chronic disease, children with cancer receive many positive benefits by participating in a camp experience. These children can have a variety of limitations, but first and foremost, they are still children — and want to be treated the same as children without cancer with opportunities to run, play, swim, and enjoy being with other kids.
COCA-I Gold Ribbon Camp Program
As the 2012 summer camping season rapidly approaches, it is once again time to examine all of your camp’s rules, regulations, requirements, guidelines and common practices.
COCA-I Pilot Research Study
The First COCA-I Research Project is a Great Success!
By Dr. Mike Amylon, Camp Okizu
During the summer of 2010, the Research and Education Committee of the COCA-I Board of Directors initiated a "proof of concept" pilot research study.
