The Island of Misfit Toys

Abstract

A philosophical hermeneutic study was conducted to understand the meaning of children’s cancer camps for the child with cancer and the family. Six families and five camp counselors were interviewed in order to bring understanding to this topic. While the research included findings related to: the concept of play at cancer camp (both philosophically and scientifically); grief as something to live with versus “get over”; storytelling as a means of re-shaping and understanding traumatic experiences; and the solidarity of the community as one that creates intense, healing bonds, this paper will detail the finding related to the children and families experience of finding acceptance and fit at camp.

Keywords

• hermeneutics
• pediatric oncology
• camp
• acceptance