Camp Simcha Without Borders Returns to Chicago

Summer is back for kids suffering from serious illnesses and disabilities Camp Simcha Without Borders in Chicago began the first of its summer sessions last week. The local camp is run by Chai Lifeline Midwest, a children’s health organization providing social, emotional and financial assistance to children with life-threatening and lifelong illnesses and their families. 

Launched in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Camp Simcha Without Borders was developed to bring summer joy to sick children in communities across the country with day camps and special community-wide events. Camp Simcha Without Borders Midwest is generously sponsored by The Ralla Klepak Foundation for Education in the Performing Arts.  

The four-day camp sessions over the course of the summer include non-stop activities and action, music, swimming and much more, and allows these warrior children to be ‘just like any kid’ and not think about the health challenges they face daily.

“My daughter was telling me how she loves going to camp because she feels so comfortable and normal and can just be herself,” one mother shared. “Thank you for giving her these amazing opportunities for her to feel good about herself!”

“These children, whether they have illnesses or disabilities that can be seen from the outside or not, feel different from their classmates. But when they come to camp and are just like everyone else, they get back their sense of belonging, a sense of normalcy,” said Rabbi Shlomo Crandall, Midwest Director of Chai Lifeline. “While we know that their lives are filled challenges and complications, if we can give them the opportunity to escape for even just a few days then we will do everything necessary to make that possible. Utilizing performing arts as part of that escape in the lives these children is very important and for that we thank The Ralla Klepak Foundation for their support.”