I am honored to join Josh Kinoshita as Co-Captain of the 24' Aurora Super Staff team with a $9000 goal, which would set a new record!

The 6th AuroraWALKS is on Saturday, April 13th benefitting Aurora Day Camp, Georgia’s only full summer day camp for children with cancer and their siblings, ages 3 1⁄2 – 16, all completely free of charge. There are no other programs like these in Georgia and every dollar donated stays here in Georgia.

MY AURORA JOURNEY - THE MORE I GAVE, THE MORE I GOT!

At the beginning of last year, the Aurora Day Camp team asked me to be their Music Specialist for CAMP 2023. I had recently left my full-time job and was in a state of ‘job limbo’ while trying to figure out my career path. Upon learning Aurora’s mission of bringing fun and joy to kids with cancer, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

Once hired, I began work on fun and engaging music activities for all campers. I spent weeks creating and fine-tuning my lesson plans, ensuring that everyone, campers and staff alike, would have an amazing time during the music activity period. The more thought that went into these activities, the bigger the rewards I got as a specialist, receiving hand-drawn pictures and notes from the kids expressing their love for music at camp.

Staff members train a couple of weeks before camp begins, which is when we learn what to expect from camp and what camp will expect of us. There is an opportunity for any staff member to sign on as bus counselors who ride the bus to and from camp every day with ten to twenty kids on each. I knew joining the bus counselors would add more to my plate in terms of workload, but being able to continue bringing the camp spirit to our campers on the ride home was such a rewarding and fulfilling feeling.

Each year, ADC hosts a weeklong high-energy competition called Color War. The camp is split into two groups, each led by captains who direct the overall flow of the camp by running all of the activities, challenges, cheers, and more. I was chosen to be a Color War Captain for the Blue Team (the best team!), which added to my list of responsibilities and commitments. Although it feels like I exerted more energy that week than any OTHER WEEK in my life, the excitement of our campers, the smiles, the laughs, and the Color War spirit were an incredible gift.

Once the Summer of 2023 was over, I knew instantly that I wanted to return. I couldn’t wait to be with these kids again. Aurora makes sure that campers and staff don’t have to wait until the next summer to see each other. Their Year-Round Programs provide the chance for campers to participate in fun activities, such as visiting the Aquarium, doing a late stay at camp, pickleball tournaments, and more. They also have a program called Aurora on Wheels, where volunteers can go into local hospitals to bring the joy and fun of camp both to our campers who are continuing to go through treatments as well as any new friendly faces that they meet! Fortunately for my work schedule, I have had the chance to lend a hand in both of these amazing programs, getting the opportunity to see our campers throughout the year and potentially bringing some new campers aboard!

For the Summer of 2024, I will be returning as the Program Director. I’ve got some big shoes to fill, but with the help of our staff and the motivation to bring the best camp for our kiddos, I know it’s going to be a summer to remember!

My personal goal is $1000 and our team goal is $9,000. Will you help me reach my goals? You can either join our team as a walker OR donate to my fundraising page at the buttons at the top of this page.

If you join our team, just reach out to 5 friends and family members. You will be amazed – I promise!  They will give because you asked, and they care about you and this powerful cause. People give to people. Every dollar counts and every walker who raises $100+ earns the official AuroraWALKS 2024 t-shirt. $6,000 sends one child to camp for the entire summer.

Your support and friendship will help us reach the $225,000 AuroraWALKS goal which will help us serve more children this summer. 57% of our campers are under age 10, and 37% are younger than 7.

AuroraWALKS will take place on Saturday, April 13th at the Concourse Office Park. Check-In and fun family activities at 8:30 AM, Walk starts at 10:30 AM, free parking, easy access. I am inviting all my friends and family to join the Aurora Super Staff Team at the Walk!

Take a moment to watch our powerful, touching video below, where camper families share the impact of Aurora Day Camp. Thank you for helping me give summer back to children with cancer. 

Sincerely,

Leonard Rose
Co- Captain, Aurora Super Staff Team
2024 Program Director