Camp Sundown

From the beginning, Dan and Caren Mahar also had the dream of creating a year-round "night camp" to offer sun sensitive children and their families a way to meet other folks sharing similar problems, creating similar solutions and to enjoy a "camp" experience like their peers - just on a different time clock . . . a dream come true! Camp Sundown began in 1996 as an XP family retreat in Poughkeepsie, NY. In 2003, thanks to many generous donors, we were able to open our own Camp Sundown Retreat House in Craryville, NY.

Camp Sundown is the single most important project of the XP Society which directly benefits and involves the XP family and patients. This unique to the world night camp program gathers families and scientists from around the globe to share support, recreation, information and friendship under the safety of the stars. An XP family retreat and medical conference combined helps the XP family feel less isolated in their situation, providing useful support and education to live our daily lives with XP.

We welcome XP families and individuals with related conditions from the world over to experience the magical time of Camp Sundown. Here the children enjoy the world that was created for all of us. Camp Sundown is provided at no cost due to generous donations of volunteer time, talents, food and monetary gifts.

Camp Sundown 2009

Sessions to be held July 6-10 and July 13-17. All sessions are pending adequate funding resources. Please call or email . An application and instructions will be mailed out to you immediately. Special teen and family sessions in August.

CAMP SUNDOWN 2008:

Camp Sundown 2008 was held for six sessions last summer including a special session for the third year in a row just for teens and a special October Harvest Moon camp. We enjoyed horseback riding and swimming, arts and crafts and Wii Fit, Guitar Hero and carnivals, softball and volleyball games, campfires and clowns, makeup artistry and animal visits and many trips out.We were taught dance and scuba diving,CPR and first aid, cookie baking and pumpkin carving. We admired art and firetrucks. Thank you to our many donors, sponsors and volunteers for another perfect year! The First World Congress on XP, an XP family retreat and medical conference rolled in one, was held in Poughkeepsie NY at the Grand hotel where all families heard and learned from many experts on XP and related topics from genetics to ultraviolet, DNA repair to prevention and treatment, legal issues and ways to advocate for your own child. Stay tuned for the Second World Congress on XP in September 2009!

Camp Sundown 2007

Camp Sundown is a unique to the world night camp program , an XP family retreat and medical conference rolled in one. Camp Sundown ran six sessions last year through the summer and in October, including a special Counselor-in-Training session, a select TEEN week, a week for new families to meet and a week for returning families to rekindle friendships.60 families, over 245 people, benefited from this year's program. Camp is open free of charge to XP families and families of children with other light sensitivity disorders. Special thanks to all our donors of time, talent and monetary and food gifts that helped make this year a huge success for XP families.

 

Camp Sponsors

For $350, any individual or organization can "sponsor a camper."
That amount helps offset the cost of food, utilities, activities, insurance and transportation for one camper's unique experience at a full session.