For 40 years, Camp Sunshine has provided a fun, safe, and empowering environment for kids with cancer to enjoy a typical camp experience. But sadly, hospital visits, treatments and other challenges can sometimes get in the way of being able to make it to the physical camp–which is why we decided to bring camp to them.
For Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this year, we partnered with a talented team of developers to create a virtual camp that kids could join from anywhere, called Sunshine Online. In less than one month—and with a budget of zero dollars—we worked day and night to successfully bring this digital world to life.
The accessibility of video games was a source of untapped energy for Camp Sunshine’s campers, and Roblox’s popularity with children under 18 made it the perfect platform to build and launch our game. Sunshine Online makes it possible for campers to practice archery, go fishing, ride horses, try gardening, earn badges, meet new friends, and even go down a giant water slide. We carved out a safe space online that makes it possible for campers to have fun from anywhere with an internet connection.
With an 86% approval rating on Roblox and more than 1,000 visitors in the first month, it was a big hit with campers.
