The Magic of Camp Periwinkle

Camp for All hosted more than 190 campers last week in Burton for Camp Periwinkle, a week-long overnight camp for children who have faced cancer. This is the largest number of campers the camp has seen since before the pandemic.

“We are so thrilled to have them back,” said Pat Sorrells, the president and CEO of Camp for All. Camp Periwinkle is one of the many camps, arts and survivor programs that are supported by the Periwinkle Foundation.

“The kids are getting to get out and experience life, try new things, gain self-confidence and make friends that will last a lifetime,” said Executive Director Doug Suggitt.

Not only do kids who are or have been treated at Texas Children’s Hospital have access to this opportunity, but so do their siblings.

“That’s what makes us unique,” said Andrew Koenig, the assistant director at Camp Periwinkle. “We take a population of kids who are either on or off treatment, in addition to their siblings, and it creates a unique dynamic that creates a fun environment.”

Camp Periwinkle is a “barrier-free” camp that offers the same activities you would see at any other camp, but with special accommodations that allow kids with any physical limitations to still participate.

“It’s a week of ‘yes,’” said Ann Massey, the development director for the Periwinkle Foundation. “If you have any type of limitation- wheelchair, physically challenged or whatnot, you can do anything here. Even in a wheelchair, we can put you in a canoe or put you up on the ropes. You can do anything.”

For many campers, Camp Periwinkle continues to make an impact long after their week is over. For Blake Lieberman, that impact has lasted 18 years.

“I came to Camp Periwinkle as a camper in 2009 and then spent five years as a camper,” Lieberman said. “Camp had an incredible impact on my life. I made some lifelong friends that I am still in touch with to this day, and this summer will be my 11th year as a counselor. It’s unfortunate that childhood cancer is what it is, but it’s also incredible that we have things like Periwinkle and Camp for All to support people like myself and the 192 campers we have here this week.”