We Are Ocean camp leaves an impression on everyone who takes part—including the staff. While the women sharing these reflections have not personally faced cancer, they came home from Fall Camp at El Capitan with friendships, a renewed appreciation for the ocean, and moments they’re still thinking about. In their own words, Bobbie, Cora, Malia and Kelly share what it meant to support our campers, what they learned by listening, and what they’re taking home.
“On the last night of camp, Gaby led the campers in a really poignant moment where they shared what they were leaving behind and what they were taking home from camp and their cancer journeys. Most of the staff, including me, sat in the back and just listened…and yes cried a bit. It was easily my favorite part of camp.
Since that night, I have been trying to put into words what I am leaving behind and what I’m taking home from my first ever WAO camp. Here’s my clumsy attempt:
I am a water-woman. I grew up in the ocean. I am confident in all sorts of ocean conditions. I am competent in all sorts of water crafts. The ocean has brought me community. The ocean is where I feel deeply comfortable and where I go when I need to heal. But this camp made me realize I’ve been taking all of that for granted lately. And my failure to truly appreciate all that the ocean is to me–my home, my medicine, my community–that is what I’m leaving behind.
Because when some campers shared that we (the staff) played a small part in helping them leave behind some fears about the ocean it hit me harder than I expected.
The fact that I could help, even the tiniest amount, to make someone feel more confident or at least safer than they expected, and even have fun in the ocean for the first time was an absolute honor and it’s what I’m taking home from the camp. It’s also the reason why I’m determined to continue to be a WAO Staff in the future. To help future campers feel more comfortable in the water, find some of the healing that I get out of the ocean, and definitely the community is what I’m looking forward to the most.
Thank you 2026 El Capitan Campers (and staff!) sorry for talking about outrigger canoe paddling all the time! Love you all!!”
– Bobbie Reichenstein
“One of my favorite moments from camp was making lei po‘o with the girls. Looking at this group of beautiful young
women, I never would have known what each of them had been through before hearing their stories. Every one of them has faced battles, both internally and externally, and I can only imagine how those experiences have shaped the way they see themselves.
My favorite part was watching each girl finish her lei po‘o, and as I tied it onto her head, she’d pull out her phone, and open her selfie camera to look at herself. Seeing their faces light up as they admired how beautiful they looked was something I’ll never forget. I wish they could see themselves through my eyes, because the beauty I saw in them had nothing to do with the flowers on their heads. The way they saw themselves in that moment was how I saw and greeted them every morning, every meal, every pass by. My hope is that one day, they’ll look in the mirror without a lei po‘o and see that same beauty, confidence, and joy. Because they are all SO beautiful, exactly as they are.”
– Cora Huston
“Being part of the NAC We Are Ocean program has been such a special experience. While I’ve been involved with the 
camps for a while, I’ve usually been helping out behind the scenes, so this was actually my first time attending camp as a staff member. Getting to experience it firsthand gave me a whole new appreciation for what this program is all about. One of the things that makes this camp so meaningful is that the majority of the staff members have also been affected by cancer through someone they love. We all come from different backgrounds, but we share that connection and understand, in our own ways, what these campers are going through. It’s amazing to see everyone come together to create such a fun, supportive, and memorable experience for the campers. From kayaking through the sea caves on Santa Cruz Island to spending time together around the camp fire, there were so many unforgettable moments. While we’re there to make a difference in the campers’ lives, I quickly realized that the experience has just as big of an impact on us. Seeing the smiles, friendships, and confidence that come out of just a few days together was something really special. After years of helping make camp happen from behind the scenes, getting to actually be there and experience the magic of it all was something I’ll never forget. I’m so grateful to be part of such an amazing group of people who put their hearts into everything they do.”
– Malia Rudelj
“From charging through ocean caves to tacos on the beach, we pretty much did it all. (Even though the tacos on the beach were a last-minute audible – we all adjusted well!)
I was lucky enough to spend four days on the Central Coast with NAC We Are Ocean for Fall Camp, and we packed those days with adventures, glamping, conversations, and a lot of jokes about skunks! The women I shared it with made every part of the experience that much better. (Also, if you’d told me I’d be chasing off a skunk with a water jug during a sound bath meditation in the wilderness, I would’ve said, “Y’all are crazy.”)
What stuck with me most was how much fun we had together. Everyone brought something different to camp, and getting to know each other happened naturally over meals, out on the water, and in between whatever was goin on!
I was there as “the staff”, but I was also just really happy to be hanging out with this group of women.
Watching them enjoy it all helped me get out of my own head. I could be thinking about the next thing on the schedule, and they’d remind me—without even knowing it—to stop and enjoy what was happening right then. We were somewhere beautiful, doing some pretty awesome things together.
Being around the ocean is such a regular part of my life that it’s easy to take that access for granted. Being on a boat is second nature to me. (Remember, a mom of three can sleep anywhere. It didn’t seem like a big deal. It was a big deal. Camp reminded me how big of a deal it was. Getting out on the water, exploring somewhere new, and sharing that experience with other people matters. It made me appreciate something familiar in a whole new way.”
– Kelly Schwartz
Thank you to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation for supporting We Are Ocean and helping make camp possible. Because of your generosity, our campers had the chance to get out on the water, try something new, and connect with others who understand what it’s like to face cancer. We’re grateful you helped give them that time together.
A donation to We Are Ocean helps make experiences like these possible for more cancer fighters and survivors. It means time on the water, new friendships, and a chance to step away from the day-to-day and enjoy a little adventure.
If you’re able, please consider giving to help us welcome the next group to camp.
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