Childrens Oncology Camping Association International

About the Organization

Organization category

Public Charity

Country / State

United States / Alabama

Mission

To strengthen, support and connect the international community of camps serving individuals and families affected by childhood cancer.

Programs or services

COCA Provides the following programs:
1. Gold Ribbon Accreditation- is a voluntary education program intended to help COCA member camp organizations identify policies and practices, specific to their setting and population, that are documented and delivered in the course of providing a medically and emotionally safe pediatric oncology camp experience.
2. Annual Educational Conference (COCAcon)- in person conference that provides networking for camp professionals and up to 80 hours of education.
3. Conference Scholarships- in partnership with Care Camps Foundation, the Karen McAndrew COCAcon Scholarship is awarded to Camps who demonstrate a financial need to attend the annual conference.
4. Virtual Education- Up to 20 hours a year are provided to continue educating COCA member camps about best practices and shared experiences within the community of pediatric oncology camps.
5. Professional Development Learning Center- in partnership with Northwestern Mutual, COCA's online courses are for continuing education outside of the annual conference and scheduled virtual education. For each course a student completes, they earn a course completion certificate from COCA.
6. Best of COCA Awards- in partnership with Northwestern Mutual, excellence in camping awards are given to camps chosen by outside professionals in the following 11 categories:
Photo
Social Media
Fundraiser
Video
Camp Activity
Impact/Annual Report
Newsletter
Specialty Program
Photo
Specialty Logo
T-Shirt
7. Eight Camp Spirit Awards & One Spirit of COCA Award- in partnership with Northwestern Mutual, The Camp Spirit Award recognizes 8 individuals who provide an excellent camp experience at the camp they volunteer or work with. Their camp is awarded $1500.00 and the person is honored with an award. The Spirit of COCA Award is the highest award given to one individual within COCA membership who goes above and beyond their volunteer service with COCA. The person is honored and their camp is g

Detailed programs

COCA operates with 2 part time staff, 14 board members, 8 committees and over 200 volunteers within COCA membership providing the following programs:
1. Gold Ribbon Accreditation- is a voluntary education program intended to help COCA member camp organizations identify policies and practices, specific to their setting and population, that are documented and delivered in the course of providing a medically and emotionally safe pediatric oncology camp experience. Over 35 volunteers each year operate this program by visiting 20-23 camps a summer and participating in the Gold Ribbon Committee who makes the recommendation to the COCA Board of Directors, who ultimately determines Camps Accreditation. Donors win in supporting an accredited program, board members and the organization win as well and can explain the benefit of their accredited program to potential donors. Ultimately, the individuals participating in the Camp benefit knowing they are attending a medically safe camp program that has been visited, verified and accredited by COCA. Parents are also more likely to send their child to an accredited camp.
2. Annual Educational Conference (COCAcon)- in person conference that provides networking for camp professionals and up to 80 hours of education. The education is provided by camping professionals outside of and within COCA membership. In collaboration with COCA staff, the volunteer Conference Committee oversees the education choices and operation of the conference each year.
3. Conference Scholarships- in partnership with Care Camps Foundation, the Karen McAndrew COCAcon Scholarship is awarded to Camps who demonstrate a financial need to attend the annual conference.
4. Virtual Education- Up to 20 hours a year are provided to continue educating COCA member camps about best practices and shared experiences within the community of pediatric oncology camps.
5. Professional Development Learning Center- in partnership with Northwestern Mutual, COCA's online courses are for continuing education outside of the annual conference and scheduled virtual education. For each course a student completes, they earn a course completion certificate from COCA.
6. Best of COCA Awards- in partnership with Northwestern Mutual, excellence in camping awards are given to camps chosen by outside professionals in the following 11 categories:
Photo
Social Media
Fundraiser
Video
Camp Activity
Impact/Annual Report
Newsletter
Specialty Program
Photo
Specialty Logo
T-Shirt
7. Eight Camp Spirit Awards & One Spirit of COCA Award- in partnership with Northwestern Mutual, The Camp Spirit Award recognizes 8 individuals who provide an excellent camp experience at the camp they volunteer or work with. Their camp is awarded $1500.00 and the person is honored with an award. The Spirit of COCA Award is the highest award given to one individual within COCA membership who goes above and beyond their volunteer service with COCA. The person is honored and their camp

Target Audience

COCA is an association that supports 140 member camps in the United States and Canada who provide programs and services to individuals and families affected by childhood cancer. We educate camp professionals with in pediatric oncology, and pediatric oncology medical professionals such as oncologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers and child life specialists. Also, camp volunteers, camp board members and camp staff receive ongoing education.

Geographic Focus

International

Current projects

1. We are working to establish new relationships with like-minded organizations who also support pediatric oncology programs and services.
2. Staff are actively working with the COCA Development Committee to find grants that will support our mission and are submitting more grants.
3. COCA staff network monthly with other pediatric oncology supportive programs and services through our partner, Northwestern Mutual.
4. The Research & Education Committee is writing an article on vaccinations with in COCA member camps for Alliance for Camp Health's CompassPoint publication.
5. COCA is visiting 20 camps this summer for Gold Ribbon Accreditation.
6. Working with the Conference Committee seeking and planning the education speakers, seeking sponsors, exhibitors for the annual conference to be held in November.

Organization goals

COCA is the only organization that provides pediatric oncology camps in North America education, networking and accreditation.

COCA's goals are to:
1. Strengthen the Board of Directors with additional members.
2. Message who COCA is and the importance of the organization to donors and the world through research, education, testimonials and the Gold Ribbon Accreditation Program.
3. To advocate for the importance of pediatric oncology camps and the support of pediatric oncology patients and their families.

Leadership

COCA Board of Directors are:
Ryan Campbell, President
Michele Vernon, MSW, Vice President
Jason Kirkland, Treasurer
Jennifer Benton, Secretary
Dina Dattilio, Region 1 Director
Jamie Ekstrom, M.Ed, Region 4 Director
Gillian Anderson, Region 8 Director
Mark Lowry, Conference Chair
Becky Felak, Development Chair
Erin Ulmer, Director Member at Large
Lynne Royer-Willoughby, RN, MSN, NP, Education and Research Chair
Brandon Briery, PhD, Gold Ribbon Accreditation Program Chair
Michael Vasquez, ASW, Social Media and Marketing Chair
Joanne Bean, MBA, BSN, RN, Special Appointee

Staff are:
Jennifer B. Amundsen, Executive Director
Callie Campbell, Program Manager

Strategic priorities

Our Strategic Goals are:
1. Messaging
2. Governance
3. Fundraising
4. Education

Organizational capacity

The staff work remotely and depend heavily on each committee and many volunteers from membership to accomplish COCA's mission. We are working to improve our financial resources by applying for grants through our new GrantWatch membership as well as improving our platforms where grantors review charities to support.

Funding Needs

Grant categories you're seeking

Education, Health and Medical, International, Operating Support, Technology, Youth and At-Risk Youth

Funding needs

COCA needs $10,000.00 in annual funding to support the technical platforms used with COCA members to educate, connect, inform, survey and network. With members located throughout the United States and Canada, being able to connect virtually is crucial to the success of COCA's mission. The following platforms used are Thinkific for the new Professional Development Learning Center. Zoom for networking and virtual education each year, Microsoft Teams for admin meetings, donor meetings and networking. COCA WordPress website to inform, educate and message to members and to the public. Bi-monthly Mailchimp emails used for marketing and messaging to over 1100 subscribers. Microsoft Power Apps to operate the COCA Gold Ribbon Accreditation Online Portal. The portal is the platform used for Camps to upload documentation, provide comments that are viewed and commented on by Accreditation Reviewers and Visitors for the annual Program. Survey Monkey is used for program evaluation, and ideas. Surveys from the camps and visitors are used to strengthen the Gold Ribbon Accreditation Program, the Annual Conference, and to gather information regarding best practices by member camps around subject matters such as vaccinations, vendors used, conference speaker suggestions, camp testimonials, the number of camp participants served, the number of programs camps provide and any other statistical data that will help improve pediatric oncology programs and services currently or in the future.
COCA also needs funding to move current part time staff to full time and hire a full time Development Director to seek additional funding to conduct research on the importance and benefits of pediatric oncology camp programs and services. Also, additional board members outside of membership who have knowledge in finance, legal and business are desired to help COCA find new donors and provide advice. Last, the option to host regional conferences for educating and connecting members is desired.

Impact & Recognition

Outcomes and impact

In 2025, COCA achieved the following:
After rebranding, developing a new strategic plan, and restructuring the Board of Directors, COCA has positioned itself to benefit member camps in ways that were once only imagined. However, our organization needed help bringing these bold plans to life. In 2025, 112 individuals stepped forward to fill 201 volunteer roles, with many serving in multiple capacities.
In past surveys, Members identified Education as one of the most important benefits of their COCA membership, and our educational offerings would not be possible without volunteers. At COCAcon, 65 presenters shared expertise on topics including operations, programming, child development, fundraising, and more. Another 20 volunteers supported conference operations by staffing the registration table and help desk, hosting the hospitality suite, and providing A/V support. Beyond the conference, 12 volunteer speakers led virtual educational sessions throughout the year. Altogether, volunteers enabled COCA to provide members with 159 hours of in-person and virtual education.
Another key component of our educational offerings is the Gold Ribbon Accreditation Program, a voluntary initiative designed to help member camps identify best practices in pediatric oncology camping. 30 visitors supported 17 member camps as they achieved accreditation, while 15 mentors provided guidance as camps progressed through the program. The work of these volunteers is invaluable in helping camps provide medically and emotionally safe experiences for the campers and families they serve.
Eight committees were tasked with advancing COCA’s strategic initiatives, supported by 42 committee members. The Conference Committee planned COCAcon throughout the year, resulting in one of the most well attended conferences in COCA’s history. The Gold Ribbon Committee provided oversight for the Gold Ribbon Program and is currently revising standards to better reflect different camp models and modes of operation. The Education and Research Committee surveyed members to identify session topics and launched the Professional Development Learning Center, an online platform that now hosts 24 virtual courses related to pediatric oncology camping. The Membership Committee facilitated networking through a member-to-member open forum and kept members informed through a Mid-Year Town Hall. The Development Committee identified potential funders and is creating a menu of sponsorship opportunities, while the Finance Committee managed COCA’s investments, budgets, and fiscal health.

Success stories

Staff Training Summit Testimonials:
"The COCA Staff Training Summit gives camps the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to support our staff and our campers —with excellence and heart."

"The COCA Summit helps turns complex situations into manageable ones by giving you practical tools you’ll actually use."

Gold Ribbon Accreditation Program Testimonials from Camps:
"The Gold Ribbon Accreditation process was thorough and collaborative from start to finish. Preparing and submitting our documentation encouraged us to take a closer look at our policies and procedures, and the feedback we received from our visitors was insightful and constructive. Their camp visit brought everything full circle, affirming the quality of our program while offering ideas for continued growth. Being a COCA Accredited camp reassures our families, volunteers, and donors that we meet the highest standards in oncology camping and remain committed to continuous improvement."

"I actually enjoyed the accreditation process. Despite it being lengthy in terms of prep, I truly saw it as a way to showcase what we were doing and learn from other professionals about things we could improve. The Gold Ribbon team communicated so well and I truly thought they
prepped us with exactly what we needed to be successful."

Accreditation Visitor Testimonials:
"Having the opportunity to see other camps in action is always eye-opening for me as a visitor - it provides me with new ideas that I can implement in my own camp. At the same time, I'm able to share my experience from my camp and others I've visited to help the camps I'm visiting grow or to reaffirm what a great job they are doing!"

"I enjoyed sharing ideas and learning from other well-established camps. For the newer camp that I visited, I was able to give them resources and coaching on ways that they can grow their programs."

Organization achievements

Candid Platinum Transparency 2025 and 2026

Major funders

Care Camps Foundation
Northwestern Mutual
Aflac

Partnerships & Collaborations

We work with COCA member camps to ensure programs and services meet their needs. This is done directly through the Board of Directors, 8 committees, evaluations and town halls held to hear what members say.

COCA's most significant partners are Care Camps Foundation and Northwestern Mutual. Care Camps Foundation supports professional education and accreditation. Northwestern Mutual is key in connecting COCA to other pediatric oncology like minded organizations. They also help COCA in recognizing the amazing work COCA member camps are doing through the Best of COCA Awards. Northwestern Mutual also helped COCA financially establish the Professional Development Learning Center and we continue to use their funds to build this educational platform. We also partner with Bowline HQ who is a conference exhibitor and provides financial to COCA members. They also provide COCA staff education on best accounting practices, and donates the time to prepare COCA's annual 990 Form to submit to the IRS. Other important collaborations include the hundreds of camp and medical professionals within pediatric oncology as well as the outside camping industry. COCA calls on many other camp and business professionals throughout the year to help us fulfill our educational goals.

Sustainability, dissemination & replicability

COCA's programs and services are overseen by a voluntary Board of Directors and two part time staff. There are 8 committees that ensure the work of the organization are fulfilled. These include governance & admin-who meets when issues arise or direction is needed. The President and Vice President meet bi monthly with staff to discuss issues/ideas, answer questions, give input to ensure tasks are on time and on target. The conference committee meets once each month to discuss plans for conference, assign tasks, and outreach to membership. The gold ribbon committee meets quarterly and the committee chair is in contact with staff regularly to ensure summer camp accreditation visits are on target. The membership committee helps run town halls for members to voice ideas and ask questions. They also assist the conference committee in pairing new conference attendees to regular attendees. The development committee works with the Executive Director on grant writing and messaging around giving and donations. They also review grants for staff, make recommendations. The finance committee is chaired by the treasurer who meets monthly with the Executive Director to discuss financials. The committee makes recommendations to the Board about financials. Our online presence The social media and marketing committee continues to improve our online expansion. The research & education committee surveys membership on education needed and is working on potential research projects. Each committee meets prior to each Board meeting and provides a report about ongoing work and accomplishments. The conference and accreditation are COCA's two primary educational programs. The growth and direction of each program is based on evaluations, Conference attendees, speakers, and vendors provide evaluations that help COCA determine speakers for the next year and educational content desired by COCA membership. Each camp and visitor who participates in the Gold Ribbon Accreditation program also complete surveys after each visit. The direct suggestions made by each group has helped grow, strengthen and advance this program. Since its inception in 2018, COCA has managed to visit and accredit over 75 camps. In the virtual and in person conference education COCA provides, members are able to learn about new programs and services that can be modified or adopted to suit other pediatric oncology camp programs within COCA membership. One of the most important qualities of COCA is the community of camps that help support and educate one another about best practices and how to provide a medically safe camp environment to individuals and families affected by childhood cancer.

Internal checks & balances to prevent fraud

COCA is overseen by 13 volunteer Board of Directors. Members from the Board chair all 8 of COCA's committees. They are: Governance/Administration, Finance, Development, Conference, Gold Ribbon, Research & Education, Membership, Social Media & Marketing. These committees are made up of people from within COCA membership as well as outside professionals in the medical community and beyond.
Committees meet before each board meeting and provide Committee Reports that are used to guide board meeting discussions.

Governance:
COCA staff meet bi-monthly with the current President and Vice President as a 'check-in" and to discuss the current and ongoing work of COCA staff, discuss issues, finances and recommendations and to task staff with to do items.

Finance:
COCA staff work with the Treasurer to review monthly financials. The treasurer also has access to COCA's online Quickbooks account to review monthly general ledgers. The treasurer chairs the Finance Committee who meets quarterly to review current financials, make recommendations to staff and the committee provides a written report for each COCA Board meeting. The report may ask for input or a vote by the COCA Board of Directors regarding financial decisions for the organization. Last, current COCA financials are reviewed and discussed at each Board of Directors meeting.

Also, each board meeting notice is sent in Mailchimp communication for any COCA member who would like to attend. In addition, Membership Committee meets to discuss needs and hosts town halls for member discussions.

Get Involved

How can volunteers get involved?

Each COCA member camp relies on volunteers to operate their programs. Visit COCA's Find A Camp page on our website to connect with a camp, https://cocacamps.org/camps/find-a-camp/

COCA operates mainly by volunteers and any interested people from COCA membership or the camping and medical community may join a committee. To learn more, email info@cocai.org

How can donors support your mission?

Donors can support COCA by learning who we are and what our needs are first. We hope to work with donors who are also seeking an organization that aligns with their giving and the population they wish to support.
To give financially, donors can visit the SUPPORT tab on our website, https://cocacamps.org/. On this tab, we have information about making a donation-giving one time or monthly. We also have information about planned giving, and the many ways/levels a donor can partner with COCA. To inquire, please contact info@cocai.org.

Do you accept partnerships?

COCA would love to find new partners! We want partners who value education and the impact it makes on COCA members and ultimately how it helps impact and improve the lives of individuals and families affected by childhood cancer.

Are you seeking board members?

COCA is seeking Special Appointee Board Members appointed by the President. Each appointment is for one year and is a volunteer role. COCA is interested in finding for profit and non profit business professionals, lawyers and financial advisors or those in the financial accounting realm.

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