Aurora Day Camp Announces 2024-25 Teen Board

Aurora Day Camp, Atlanta’s only free summer day camp for children with cancer and their siblings, has announced its Teen Board for 2024-2025.

Elly Eisenstein, Brooke Maman and Tahel Shantzer from The Weber School, Nate Friedman from Riverwood High School, Drew Kellis from Milton High School, and Abigail Richman from Pace Academy are among the 24 high schoolers selected for this year’s board.

Nathan Dobrzryski-Garzon and Nate Friedman with their empty candy cauldron after handing out many treats at “Trunk or Treat.”

Drawn from a diverse cross section of teenagers at high schools throughout the metropolitan area, the Aurora Teen Board is a leadership development initiative for students in grades 9–12. Schools represented include The Lovett School, Walton High School, DeKalb School of the Arts, Arabia Mountain High School and Innovation Academy. The program offers meaningful and interactive community service opportunities that support children and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Throughout the year, students learn essential leadership skills and are empowered to become active community leaders and dedicated volunteers.

“Aurora launched its first teen board initiative last year with 25 teenagers from 16 different high schools. The success of last year’s teen board was overwhelmingly attributed to the commitment of the kids who raised $32,000 for AuroraWalks and who collectively volunteered over 50-plus hours of community service. The teen board was created to engage the next generation of leaders who are interested in our mission, philanthropy or going into the healthcare industry,” said Sami Tanenbaum, director of camp and year-round programs.

The Teen Board curriculum is designed to guide teens in exploring key questions that lead to a deeper understanding of leadership. According to Tanembaum, “As the teen participants progress through the year-long, hands-on program, questions build on one another, helping our board members develop a thoughtful and layered understanding of their identity as future community leaders and young adults.”

New this year, the Aurora Teen Board is meeting in smaller breakout groups, as well as in the larger group. Aurora leaders believe the smaller groups will enhance building relationships between the teens and create a solidified community of support. Meetings are held every other month from September through May.

Richman, co-president of this year’s Teen Board, is serving a second term. She became involved with Aurora at a young age and raised more than $6,000 for the organization six years ago as part of her bat mitzvah project. Her combined love of summer camp, along with her concern for cancer patients and their families, led her to volunteer. She has won the top “Teen Board Fundraiser” and placed third for all who raised funds for Aurora.

“Being part of the Teen Board has taught me leadership and advocacy skills. I have spent many hours calling and texting lots of people to raise funds. I learned how to overcome my reluctance to ask for donations, even though it can sometimes feel uncomfortable,” said Richman.

During their year of service, Teen Board members are asked to lead fundraising teams and volunteer for AuroraWalks, the annual fundraising event. Held in the spring, the next walk is scheduled for April 26, 2025. Approximately 25 percent of the organization’s operating budget is raised from this walk, which is typically well attended and supported by adults and teens from metro Atlanta.

Teen Board members are also asked to select from several service programs available to them throughout the year. “Trunk or Treat,” held each October, is a particularly popular option. For 2024, more than 50 trunks, filled with candy and fun items, were set up to create a festive event for kids with cancer and their siblings.

Nate Friedman, also a co-president of this year’s Teen Board, mentioned “Trunk or Treat” as one of the teen board’s most popular events. This year, he and friend, Nathan Dobrzynski, transformed into “Cowboys for a Cure” as they welcomed families and passed out candy to children.

“I want to teach young leaders how to spread awareness about pediatric cancer and raise funds. Seeing what families go through after a cancer diagnosis propels me forward. I have enjoyed collaborating with teenagers from different backgrounds that I probably wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t been on the teen board,” said Friedman.

Nate Friedman and Abby Richman, 2024-2025 co-presidents, teach cornhole to the youngest trick-or-treaters.

“The Aurora Teen Board program is a great networking opportunity for the teens to meet new people, while giving back to their communities,” said Allison Messerly, coordinator of camp and year-round programs at Aurora. “We want to set them up for a lifetime of service. Our goal is to equip them with skills that they can take with them all their lives,” she added.

New this year, the teens who participate will be asked to consider creating clubs at their own schools to support Aurora. According to Messerly, the knowledge they have gained from participation on the Teen Board will serve them well as they initiate and help lead Aurora groups at their respective high schools. In addition, Aurora anticipates that many of the board members each year will serve as camp counselors during the summer months.

The mission of Aurora Day Camp is to bring back the joys of childhood to children with cancer and their siblings in greater Atlanta. Camp and all year-round activities are offered free of charge. Children can stay for any length of time, whether one day or the entire summer. The camp is staffed with counselors and a full medical team.