The Norwegian Childhood Cancer Society

Children & youth

May 4

“When a child gets a cancer diagnosis, it affects not only the child, but the whole family.”

Who: The Norwegian Childhood Cancer Society

What: Ferie med mening (Vacation with meaning) Vestland

Where: Vestland

Project period: 2021

Web: Ferie med mening

What is Ferie Med Mening?

«Ferie Med Mening» is a summer camp arranged by The Norwegian Childhood Cancer Society each summer, and for our region in Vestland, the camp is held in beautiful surroundings at Nordhordland Folkehøgskole.

This location is perfect for us, with both great indoor- and outdoor facilities. Within few minutes, we can variety between swimming in the pool, going to the beach, playing beach volleyball, football, pool table, table tennis, and much more. Immediate proximity to our regional hospital for childhood cancer treatment is also an advantage.

The participating children are divided into age-defined groups, leaded by our wonderful “helpers”. The “helpers” are handpicked, young adults with relations to childhood cancer – some of them have been sick themselves, are siblings to children with cancer or they are in some other way engaged in this work. The groups are rotating between activities and are only paused for meals during the whole day – until 16:00, when the groups split and what we call “family time” starts. Every family, then has their own “helpers” and the children themselves can decide what they would like to do more of, like going back in the pool even if they just came ashore after-hours in.

The parents could during the daytime participate in arranged activities if they want, or they could just relax, enjoying the feeling of their kids having fun in safe environments taken care of by the “helpers”. Every night we arrange a social event for everyone, with games, quizzes, maybe visits and performances by artists or other celebrities.

We also offer small seminars and discussion groups for both parents, siblings, and those who are sick. These groups and seminars are led by psychologists, nurses from the childhood cancer department, oncologists or else.

Who is it for?

When a child gets a cancer diagnosis, it affects not only the child, but the whole family. And this summer camp is for the whole family with parents and siblings, when the child is under treatment for a cancer diagnosis or finished such treatment during the last year.