From Art Director to VP of Camping: Growing Up With Sunrise

Deanna Slade has spent nearly two decades watching Sunrise magic unfold, from the very first summers to today’s full-circle moments when former campers return as staff. She shares what “magic” really means at Sunrise: a place where children are seen as kids first, not patients, and where joy becomes something families carry home long after the camp day ends. Deanna also reflects on the real, measurable impact of camp, including confidence and resilience, through a story of a camper who stepped onto the Sunrise stage and later found the courage to join her school play. Topics Covered• Deanna’s Sunrise journey, from Art Director to VP of Camping and Related Serious • Defining “Sunrise magic” for campers, families, and staff• How camp creates a “regular kid” space and why that matters• Impact and outcomes: confidence, resilience, hope, and what families report over time• The “Sunrise Got Talent” story and a camper’s confidence breakthrough• Campers becoming counselors and the full-circle Sunrise cycle• Childhood as skill-building: social skills, patience, teamwork, coping, and more• Why Sunrise is a place of acceptance, tolerance, and authentic belonging• “Come see it” and why visiting a camp changes everything• One Sunrise family across every camp communityAbout Sunrise AssociationThe Sunrise Association brings back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings worldwide through the creation of inclusive day camps, year-round programs, and in-hospital recreational activities, all completely free of charge. We serve nearly 69,000 children annually through day camps, in-hospital programs, and virtual platforms.Learn more at https://www.sunriseassociation.org/