Three-day event featuring World Record Attempt will bring together supporters and new advocates to celebrate the healing power of camp for children with cancer.
TAMPA, Fla. — Care Camps Foundation is excited to announce Under The Stars: Where Hope Makes Light, a three-day fundraising and community-building event hosted by the inaugural Young Professionals Board, December 4-6, 2026, at Lazydays RV Resort in Tampa, Florida.
Designed to introduce a new generation of supporters to Care Camps Foundation and its mission, Under The Stars will bring together colleagues, business leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, Care Camps advocates, family and friends for a weekend of impact, connection and celebration.
The event will culminate in an ambitious world-record attempt: 45,000 glow sticks will be assembled into one continuous chain, representing the approximately 45,000 children Care Camps has helped through its mission. When completed, the chain of light is expected to span nearly 5.5 miles, creating a powerful visual of the collective impact made possible when communities come together for children with cancer and their families.
“Under The Stars is about bringing people together for something bigger than ourselves,” said Garett McKinnon, chair of the Young Professionals Board. “Every glow stick represents a child whose life has been touched by the healing power of camp. When we put 45,000 of them together, we hope many will see not just a world record, but 45,000 reasons to give kids with cancer the opportunity to experience joy, belonging and the outdoors.”
The event is being organized and hosted by the Young Professionals Board, a group established in May 2026 to help expand awareness, engagement and fundraising efforts for Care Camps Foundation among a new generation of supporters. Meet the Board and learn more about its purpose: https://carecamps.org/young-professionals-board/
“Camp gives children with cancer something that can be difficult to find during treatment: a place where they can simply be kids,” said Lexi Roberts, co-chair of the Young Professionals Board. “Under The Stars gives our community a chance to celebrate that mission while creating an unforgettable experience for everyone who joins us.”
Be Part of the Light
Under The Stars is designed to welcome people who may be new to Care Camps — including friends and family members, colleagues, business leaders, outdoor enthusiasts and others from all walks of life — who want to make a difference for children with cancer. Learn more about Under The Stars and get involved:
•Represent a Child — Light-a-Stick
•Explore Sponsorship Inquiries — please contact Tim Dougan at tim@campgroundbrokersofamerica.com.
Full weekend registration includes scheduled meals and access to event activities and programming. Guests are responsible for their own travel and accommodations. The Young Professionals Board has secured a hotel room block with reduced rates at Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa East, located at 11740 Tampa Gateway Blvd., Seffner, FL. Reserve your hotel room here.
For RV campsite reservations at Lazydays RV Resort of Tampa, please call the reservation desk at 813-923-1770 and ask to book for Care Camps’ event in December.
Funds raised through the event help Care Camps Foundation provide consistent funding to over 120 pediatric oncology camps, serving more than 45,000 children and family members each year.
These camps are safe, accessible and medically supervised, offering children with cancer the opportunity to experience joy, belonging, adventure and the healing power of the outdoors at no cost to families.
About Care Camps Foundation
Care Camps Foundation supports pediatric oncology camps across the United States and Canada so children with cancer can experience joy, belonging and the healing power of the outdoors at no cost to their families. As the only bi-national nonprofit solely dedicated to strengthening pediatric oncology camps, Care Camps Foundation provides consistent funding that helps camps deliver safe, inclusive, medically supervised experiences where kids can be kids and families can find community.
Through a close partnership with the Children’s Oncology Camping Association (COCA), Care Camps Foundation supports a trusted network of more than 120 camps serving over 45,000 children and family members each year.
To learn more about Care Camps Foundation, please visit carecamps.org.
Under the Stars: Where Hope Makes Light is a Care Camps Foundation fundraising event hosted by the foundation’s Young Professionals Board. Taking place for the first time Dec. 4-6, 2026, at Lazydays RV Resort in Tampa, Florida, the event will bring together the outdoor community and new supporters for a weekend of celebration, connection and fundraising —culminating in an attempt to create the world’s longest chain of glow sticks using 45,000 individual lights in honor of the children Care Camps has helped. Find more information here.
About Under The Stars
Contact: Jenna Berneck,
Development Director,
Care Camps Foundation
jenna@carecamps.org
