From Camper to Counselor: Will’s Story

Will Gauvin at Overnight Camp’s Royalty Ball (2023)

“Camp for a week, friends for life!” That’s the Camp Casco motto, and no one embodies the camp philosophy more than Will. 

Being a childhood cancer survivor can be an isolating experience, especially if you don’t have a community of your peers: enter Camp Casco. Camp Casco is where childhood cancer survivors–and their siblings–belong; Will experienced a sense of belonging the first time he came to camp as a teen in 2017. 

From the second Will arrived, he fit right into the camp family. He became fast friends with all his cabinmates and counselors and jumped into the fun. While he said it’s hard to pick a favorite memory from being a camper, star-gazing was a stand-out activity. Will attended Camp Casco for two summers, and when he graduated, he knew his time with us wasn’t over. 

“I appreciated all that camp did for me and wanted to be part of Camp Casco so I could give back. It was the place where I could be me, be accepted, and have fun,” Will says. “I saw how hard the staff worked for us, and I felt like I needed to help…Being part of a hard-working team that has a goal to make kids happy is a good feeling.” 

Will completed the Junior Counseling training program, where he learned leadership skills and how to transition to the volunteer side of camp. He thrived in his new role and returned year after year as a full-fledged counselor. Not only does Will bring a unique perspective as camper turned counselor, but he continues to be an exceptional role model for our teen campers in fostering a relationship with Camp Casco after graduation.  

The benefits of camp don’t stop when the week is over. Many campers, including Will, say camp helped them be more open about their diagnosis and treatment. Becoming comfortable with treatment details can be a positive, life-changing experience for a cancer survivor. Overall, Will reflects that Camp Casco enriches his life through his experiences and friends. 

With the end of the 2023 season, Will is already looking forward to welcoming survivors to Overnight Camp and helping them make new memories. And if new campers are nervous about going to Camp Casco for the first time, Will remarks that it’s normal. “You might be nervous at first, but that goes away quickly,” he says. “It is a camp family where everyone belongs.”