Michigan Camp Rallies 100+ Volunteers for Kids With Illness

A Michigan camp where children fighting serious illnesses can forget their medical struggles and just play is asking the community to help make magic happen.

North Star Reach in Putnam Township is hosting its annual Spring Work Weekend from April 17-19, inviting volunteers to prepare the 105-acre camp for hundreds of children and families arriving this summer. The event coincides with the camp's 10th anniversary, celebrating a decade of giving kids with chronic conditions a place to build friendships and confidence.

Over three days, volunteers will refresh cabins, set up program areas, and prepare gathering spaces across the property near Hell, Michigan. Every cleaned window, painted wall, and organized activity station directly impacts a child who will arrive at camp this season.

"Every project completed during Spring Work Weekend directly impacts the camper experience," says Patrick Smith, Chief Program Officer at North Star Reach. "Our volunteers are helping create the environment where children can build confidence, form friendships, and simply enjoy being kids."

The weekend offers more than just work. Volunteers share meals together, experience the camp community firsthand, and connect with families whose lives have been changed by the program. Optional lodging is available in the camp's accessible cabins for those traveling from farther away.

North Star Reach welcomes camp families, past volunteers, donors, and anyone curious about supporting children facing medical challenges. The event is free to attend, though donations help cover meal costs and camp programs throughout the year.

The Ripple Effect

When volunteers spend a weekend preparing camp facilities, they set in motion experiences that ripple through entire families. Parents of children with serious health conditions often watch their kids struggle with hospital visits, treatments, and feeling different from peers. At North Star Reach, those same children get to canoe, make art, and attend campfires designed around their specific medical needs.

The camp serves kids with conditions ranging from cancer to cystic fibrosis to muscular dystrophy. For many families, it's the only place where medical staff understand their child's needs while still letting them have a normal camp experience.

Meijer is sponsoring this year's Spring Work Weekend, helping ensure the event can welcome as many volunteers as possible. CEO J.J. Lewis calls the weekend "where community and philanthropy come together in a tangible way" during what the camp is calling its "Year of Mooseness."

Community members can register online to volunteer for the full weekend or just a day.