About The Goodtimes Project
Origin Story and Legacy
The Goodtimes Project was formed in late 2013 to carry on the 30-year legacy of Camp Goodtimes, and to ensure no-cost programming remained available to local families dealing with the financial and emotional costs of childhood cancer. Drawing on years of volunteer experience and a can-do attitude, we built a non-profit from the ground up, seamlessly operating our first independent camp sessions in 2014.
Since then, we’ve expanded our offerings to include additional overnight camp and retreat programs as well as single-day programs aimed at keeping our community connected and supported all year long.
Mission
When cancer becomes your world, The Goodtimes Project creates caring spaces for local families to connect and kids to be kids, through camps, events, and programs. We serve families throughout Washington and Alaska with a goal of providing cost-free programing to help them reconnect with a world beyond their diagnosis.
Inclusivity
The Goodtimes Project recognizes that while cancer doesn’t discriminate, society sometimes does. We acknowledge the impact of prejudice and inequity and are committed to creating safe, inclusive spaces. We ensure that program participants, staff, volunteers, and donors from all backgrounds and with diverse experiences have equitable access to hope, love, and joy.
The Goodtimes Project recognizes that factors like race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status impact access to care and survivability for cancer patients. We also understand that summer camps were initially designed solely for white boys, and remain a predominantly white pastime. Additionally, we are aware that the rights of campers and volunteers who identify as LGBTQIA+ are being challenged by various legislative efforts nationwide. As an organization, we are dedicated to creating safe and welcoming spaces for all.
creating caring spaces
Inspired by our flagship program, Camp Goodtimes, all of our camps and programs offer families affected by childhood cancer access to caring spaces at no cost. We continually strive to create spaces which:
Affirm the joys of childhood often missed by those in treatment
Foster friendships between children and families who share common experiences
Instill confidence through a variety of programs and activities
Care for their social safety as well as their medical safety
Strive to send the children back into the world as more independent, caring, and capable youth
Offer parents peace of mind as they entrust their children to camp, and take a well-deserved break
Strategic Plan
The Goodtimes Project is thrilled to share that we have developed and adopted a three-year strategic plan which identifies organizational goals and outlines how we will achieve them. This plan was guided by input from our community and aligns with the expressed needs of families impacted by pediatric cancer, and will be implemented through 2027.
Annual Report
Our ability to make camp happen is directly related to the financial, in-kind, and volunteer donations that we receive. See what we can make happen with your support.
