Celebration Every Day: The Joy-Filled World of Aurora Day Camp

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Sami Tanenbaum, who has led Aurora Day Camp in Atlanta since its very first summer in 2017. Sami shares her emotional introduction to Sunrise, the spark that led her back to hands-on work with campers, and the powerful moments that have defined her journey. From chaotic lunch singalongs to quiet emotional breakthroughs, Sami reminds us what true camp magic looks like—and why every child deserves a safe place to just be a kid. Topics Covered:  • Sami’s journey from nonprofit funding to camp leadership  • Her emotional first visit to Sunrise Long Island  • Creating a “celebration every day” culture at Aurora  • The power of traditions—from song wheels to lunchtime chaos  • Transformative stories from campers and parents  • The role of staff and counselors as behind-the-scenes magic makers  • Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable—and why it matters  • The impact of Sunrise on siblings and survivors  • Community partners, volunteers, and parent support at Aurora  • Sami’s vision for expanding the reach of Sunrise in Georgia  Links & Resources:  • Learn more about the 20 Summers of Sunrise Magic campaign → https://sunriseassociation.org/20-summers  • Connect with Sunrise: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/sunriseassociation/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/sunriseassociationdaycamps/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunrise-association/ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/sunriseassociation