About Us
The story of the inspiration behind Camp Good Days and Special Times is a very important part of this organization. It all began in 1979, when Gary Mervis' nine-year-old daughter, Teddi, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. In an effort to bring joy into the life of Teddi and other children with cancer, Gary organized the first overnight summer camping session of Camp Good Days and Special Times. At camp, the children were given the opportunity to concentrate on being kids and leave the never-ending cycle of doctors, medicines, and treatments behind them for one enchanted week. Gary perceived that most camps either would not accept children with life threatening diseases, or they did not have the facilities to accommodate their unique needs. Teddi was able to swim, sing and smile with her fellow campers for the first two summers at Camp Good Days and Special Times. When she died in February of 1982, she left behind many friends and family who loved her deeply. They would perpetuate her legacy of hope and joy, by dedicating themselves to creating a camp where children with cancer are given the equal opportunity to live their childhoods to the fullest extent possible.
Since its beginning, Camp Good Days has grown to encompass a wide range of recreational summer camping programs and year round activities for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges. In order to accommodate this growth, the Camp Good Days and Special Times Recreational Facility on Keuka Lake in Branchport, New York was opened in 1989. The majority of the campers who attend programs at this facility are from the Western and Central New York region, but there are no geographic restrictions placed on the applicants. Currently, this 13.5 acre facility consists of sleeping cabins, a dining hall, athletic fields, petting zoo, mini-golf course, indoor pavilion, pool, waterfront area, ropes adventure course, rock climbing walls, go-cart track, and activity huts. Camp also has an infirmary, which is staffed 24 hours a day to accommodate the special needs of our campers and volunteers.
Overall, approximately 1,500 campers, with the help of more than 500 volunteers, will rediscover their smiles in the loving and supportive atmosphere of Camp Good Days and Special Times this summer. Included in this number, are children with cancer from countries around the world that attend the Doing a World of Good program for two weeks. These special children and their chaperones come from countries such as Mexico, Italy, Germany, Russia, the Bahamas, Austria, England, Poland, Dominican Republic and Israel. All of these experiences are made possible by the support of numerous volunteers and financial contributors, who have enabled Camp Good Days to operate for the past 30 years with very little financial support from the government.
The primary purpose of Camp Good Days is to make the lives of children as happy and rewarding as possible and to give back the childhood that cancer has taken away. Your support will help improve the quality of life for these very special children and help provide hope of many more "good days and special times."
For more information regarding Camp Good Days and its programs and services, visit www.campgooddays.org.