It all began in 1989 in California with a lay Greek
Orthodox priest, Father John Bakus serving at a fundraiser for the
local Children’s’ Hospital Foundation. During his visits to the
Children’s Hospital he witnessed the impact cancer had not only to the ill
children, but also to their parents and
siblings. Because Father Bakus also helped the San Francisco
Orthodox Diocese acquire the Saint Nicholas Ranch near Dunlap, California
he knew it would serve as a great retreat center for families with children
with cancer. Especially with its beautiful dormitories and surroundings as
well as a large heated swimming pool. Father Bakus requested to use
the Ranch as a "time out" for the families. The
Ladies Philoptochos Society stepped up to raise funds and the local
Candlelighter's made all the arrangements for the first camp, which was held in
1989 at Saint Nicholas Ranch in Fresno California. Everyone had a
wonderful time and the children called their respite from the hospital and
painful procedures "The Camp of Sunshine and Dreams".
In 1995 the Philoptochos of Portland, Oregon organized a program
at Camp Angelos on the Sandy River called
“Camp Agape Portland”. Camp Agape Portland was a well-organized
camp with tremendous community involvement. It was such a successful
program that Bishop Anthony declared all Orthodox churches with outdoor camping
facilities and active Philoptochos Chapters should consider similar programs
for families with children with cancer.
A meeting was called in Portland, Oregon and
attended by the Diocese Chairman for Kids' n' Cancer. Bishop Anthony had the
intention of having a camp by 1997 at All Saints Center on Raft Island. He requested that a
representative from the Seattle/Tacoma Area attend this meeting. The following
were agreed upon:
-That all Kids 'n' Cancer Camps were renamed to “Camp Agape”
followed by location e.g. Camp Agape Fresno, Camp Agape Portland, Camp Agape
Northwest (to include the Orthodox Churches in Seattle and Tacoma)
-The Diocese Bear presently used would continue to be the logo,
and each camp would be unique and have its own fundraisers, but would also
receive support from the Diocese as needed.
-The Portland Philoptochos members would prepare a "guide
book" with helpful ideas.
The Priests of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle and Saint
Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Tacoma and asked them to suggest a member of
their Philoptochos willing to help initiate the camping program in the
Northwest. A cooperative effort of three sister churches of the Northwest
including Assumption (Seattle), Saint Demetrios (Seattle) and Saint Nicholas
(Tacoma) was formed, with a chairperson rotating every year. Later,
in 2005, the new
Holy Apostles Church (Shoreline)
joined in making Camp Agape NW a collaborative effort between four churches.
In 1997 the first Camp Agape NW was held and forty-eight campers enjoyed the
fun and fellowship! After a fun-filled week, they went back to the Children's
Hospital and the Mary Bridge Hospital in Tacoma where they
received their treatments and raved about the food, the skits and the
"agape" they received at camp. In 1998 over one hundred campers came
to enjoy the hospitality of Camp Agape Northwest. The camp is
staffed with volunteers from all four churches, which include cooks, medical
professionals, counselors, crafts and waterfront activities. The Directors are
from Missoula, Montana. They have over twenty years of
adolescence camping experience, plus the personal experience of a child with
cancer. Their son survived and they have dedicated themselves to promoting Camp
Agape Northwest. They bring work crews and program facilitators with them from Montana each year. The
goal is for 20 families to enjoy Camp Agape NW at no cost.
Camp Agape Northwest is truly a unique camp that provides fun and relaxation
for the child with cancer, their siblings and parents. Campers and
their families are welcome to return to camp for two years.
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