Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society
Camp Sundown
A night camp for children with life-threatening sun sensitivity
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Welcome to Camp Sundown
and
The Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society
Celebrating 28 years of Empowering People with UV-Sensitivity
What is XP? How does it affect people? Imagine that you had to put on a hooded jacket, gloves, faceshield and hat every time you went outside to keep the sun from blistering your skin. XP is a rare disease that exhibits extreme light sensitivity and puts patients at great risk for hundreds of skin and eye cancers cancers. Learn more.
Camp Sundown began in 1995 as one family's dream to give their daughter a "normal" childhood camp experience. It has grown into an annual gathering of XP kids, a foundation for their families and leading researchers to share experiences, build friendships and learn from each other. A camp for the "Children of the Night." Learn more.
The Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society runs a number of programs including education, fundraising, and outreach to benefit those affected by XP around the world. This non-profit foundation has no paid staff positions, benefiting from the generosity of volunteers and donors. There are many ways to get involved. Learn more.
News stories have helped to educate about XP. People affected by extreme sun sensitivity look just like everyone else, until blisters or freckles, cancers begin to appear. Parents don't know why their baby cries when they go outside. Children don't understand why the sun burns so painfully. We hope through more stories like these and work through the Xp Society, there will be a greater understanding and awareness about XP. Read more.
The Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society was founded in 1995 by Dan and Caren Mahar. The XP Society has grown to become the international authority for XP family support and provides information to help families make intelligent decisions in caregiving of UV-sensitive people. Through the generous donations of time, talent and financial contributions, the XP Society is proud to offer Camp Sundown, the unique to the world night camp program and family retreat free of charge to XP patients and their families. Get involved.
NEWS
2024
Things have been quiet since COVID without the ability to run our in-person camp program or support it with our in-person fundraising. We will post here when there is something new so are aware of what is going on as we approach these changing times. We continue to accept gifts in support of children who can't be in daylight and their families and will focus on bettering the quality of lives of the children with XP and other UV-related disorders. We continue to provide guidance and resources support and look to establish more of an interactive online presence for our families. Until further notice, be well!
Thankful for YOU!
With great sadness we share the passing of a dear lifelong friend of the XP Society and Camp Sundown. Karin Mannix joins our stars above (read here). We thank her family for thinking of our efforts in their suggested gift to the XP Society in lieu of flowers.
Harvest Moon Camp
was a wonderful event! A relaxing long weekend to enjoy with friends learning new games like spot-it, swimming, showing off the new shirts, painting pumpkins and making creepy hands, visiting the Davenport Farm, eating fun, great meals, and making secret huddles to plot the Thriller show. We had visits from Dr. Moy, Dr. Ellen, and Dr. Hillary. Last campfires and songs of the year, big hugs and laughter. Thank you to our donors, sponsors, volunteers and camper families willing to travel so far.
Camp Sundown
Camp Sundown 2019
Week One on Video by Camper Cassidy Clark
Contact us:
Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society, Inc.
437 Snydertown Road
Craryville, NY 12521, USA
Telephone: (518) 929-2174
Email: xps@xps.org