The Goodtimes Project

Ever wondered why Pickleball is becoming one of the fastest growing sports in America? This is your chance to find out. Our friends at Picklewood Paddle Club will be hosting Club Goodtimes participants for a morning of pickleball followed by a delicious lunch at the onsite restaurant.

Picklewood instructors will provide a brief lesson at the beginning of our time together. No prior pickleball experience is required.

As with all Club Goodtimes programs, this program is open to all teens aged 11-17 who have been impacted by pediatric cancer, including patients/survivors, siblings, and bereaved siblings.

Here are the details:
Date: Tuesday, July 28
Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Drop off & Pick up: Picklewood Paddle Club (4121 1st Ave S.)
Sign Up: https://forms.gle/2ZFrCNTMKLNpCfmz6

Questions? Email Mark Schmor at [email protected] or call/text at 206-255-3804.

Counting down the days until Camp Goodtimes 2026: Camp of Our Dreams! We’re getting our camp spirit ready and can’t wait to welcome you on Opening Day—June 21 or July 12! Start packing your bags and be sure to check what to bring (and what to leave at home) for an epic summer adventure. We’re so excited to make memories, laugh, and dream together. See you soon!

This past Saturday, nine members of Goodtimes' Bereaved Community came together in remembrance and celebration of the child/sibling they lost to cancer. All got their hands dirty at a therapeutic and challenging Kokedama plant workshop at Fancy Plants Seattle where everyone got to choose a plant, remove the dirt from its roots, surround the roots in fresh, nourishing soil, cover it in hardy moss, and wrap it in twine (a somewhat symbolic allegory to losing a loved one and coming out the other side). Afterwards, the group headed to a coffee shop and made important connections over interesting conversation.

Avid Alums, get your summer calendar started with this August picnic/BBQ beach hangout! We’ll hope for sunshine and blue skies to take advantage of the natural beauty found at Seward Park, and have a shelter rented as our homebase (ADA accessible). A late lunch/early picnic-BBQ dinner will be served, and we'll have time and space to play games, go for walks, check out the Audubon Center, sit at a beach, and enjoy each other's company and the views. Come hang with us and your community of fellow Goodtimes alums who are now age 18-35. It’s gonna be a good time!

RSVP by August 8 at https://forms.gle/Q16ffgshpRxiJ59Q7

Fred Hutch Cancer Center Annual Survivorship Event (with Adolescent & Young Adult Sessions)—RSVP by tomorrow, Friday, May 29:

The Fred Hutch Survivorship Program offers support, consultation, and education for years after cancer treatment is over, as many survivors have long-lasting or late-onset effects from both the disease and treatment. The Survivorship Program, and the free annual event, enable survivors to take an active role in their renewed health and needs. Family, friends, and caregivers also welcome.

What: Moving Beyond Cancer to Wellness event
o Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) sessions include:
• Rebuilding Trust & Confidence on the Road to Recovery
• Addressing Psychosocial Challenges
• Strategies for Successful Self-Advocacy

Where: Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Thomas Building, Pelton Auditorium

When: Saturday, June 6

Time: 8:30 am-3:15 pm

Contact Info: [email protected]

RSVP by Friday, May 29

Moving Beyond Cancer to Wellness The Fred Hutch Survivorship Program is hosting the 19th annual Moving Beyond Cancer to Wellness, a free in-person event for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, friends, families and health care professionals.

What happens when campers age out of Camp Goodtimes at age 18? Plenty of fun and fellowship, that’s what! This past weekend, 15 young adult alumni (aged 18-32) participated in Goodtimes’ 2nd annual Avid Alums Retreat out on Vashon Island alongside seven wonderful volunteers. The goals of the retreat included creating opportunities for alums to create community, experience joy, and take time to relax; build interest to participate in future retreats and meetups; and offer a camp-like experience to alums who may have limitations to being on camp staff. Neither rain nor thunder could dampen our spirits as the joys of a nature walk, arts & crafts, skits/talent show, cancer journey and adulthood conversations, nerf battle and four-square, Nailed It clay competition, game and movie nights, succulent planting, minute-to-win-it games and trivia, naps, and morning yoga filled our youthful bodies and souls (along with plenty of good food and snacks). To cap it all off, we crowned the Top Banana (winner of combined games and trivia) and put together a 1,000 piece puzzle in less than 24 hours.

We look forward to hosting our next Avid Alums meetup which will occur on/around August 15! If you attended a Goodtimes-run camp, retreat, or programming as a youth and are now aged 18-35, we welcome you to join us. Visit the Avid Alums webpage and click on the Get On Contact List button to opt-in to receiving info about future events.

https://www.thegoodtimesproject.org/avid-alums

Earlier this month, a group of dedicated Goodtimes supporters gathered at the 23rd Annual Goodtimes Gala to show the power of community. Together, they helped us raise over $545,000 to support our mission of spreading hope, love, and joy to families impacted by childhood cancer through cost-free camps and programs-- how amazing!

Behind the scenes, we worked with 20 sponsors and partners in order to make the event possible. We want to take another moment to thank these wonderful local business for their instrumental support. Join us in thanking Financial Insights, Kiewit, Natural Medicine of Seattle, Pillar Financial Group, Seattle Children's Hospital, United Capital, UnitedHealthcare, Walls Property Management, and Washington Law Center for showing up as our sponsors. Keep the applause going for all of our amazing partners as well, Alaska Airlines, Ambassador Wines, Efeste, Georgetown Brewing, J. Bookwalter Wines, Industry Graphics, LaShelle Wines, Rocky Pond Winery, Stocks & Stems Flowers, and Tito's Handmade Vodka!

We are so proud to work with so many caring and dedicated businesses on such an important event!

We’re getting ready for an unforgettable summer at Camp Goodtimes and could use your support! Help us create the best experience possible by donating an item from our Amazon Wishlist. Every gift—big or small—makes a huge difference for our campers. Thank you so much!

Shop our Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3IGQ6LBIX1O3D?ref_=wl_share

Kyra’s Hope Foundation’s founders, Alka & Gautam (Kyra’s parents), would be deeply honored to have your family join them for a day where every family walking the journey of childhood cancer is seen, is understood, and is not alone.

May 26th is Kyra’s birthday. This year, she would have turned thirteen. Kyra lived in "sparkle." She loved music, art, laughter, and the simple comfort of being together. In her spirit, Kyra’s parents are choosing something intentional: Not a day of grief - but a day of light. On May 31st, they are bringing families together to let the weight lift a little, where hospital visits feel far away, and where kids can simply be kids again.

This is a space created with care, for you. Whether your family is in treatment, stepping into survivorship, or carrying a loved one in your heart—this is a space where you don’t have to explain anything.
• Creative Courage Studio: A space to explore, play, and engage in art and imagination.
• Portrait Studio: Professional editorial photos for your family to capture a moment of togetherness.
• Connection & Community: Good food, music, dance, and the comfort of people who just "get it."

When: Sunday, May 31 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Yuan Ru Art Center, Bellevue
Cost: Free
RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIN7JBvENJ53y16ddPw0ZynpQp6bcWdH9wG9Ptt_XRE_YKOQ/viewform

(Kyra was a Camp Goodtimes camper and loved member of our community.)

Need a camp fix before the summer arrives? All Goodtimes families and volunteers are invited to join us for our Camp Burton Service Day where we will work together to help prepare the property for the summer season. We would love to have you join us!

Date: Sunday, May 17 at Camp Burton on Vashon Island

Shift Options:
· All day, 10:00 am–3:00 pm (lunch included)
· Morning, 10:00 am–12:30 pm (lunch provided at end of shift)
· Afternoon, 1:00–3:00 pm (lunch provided at 12:30 before shift)

RSVP: https://forms.gle/GzQp5LAEUCcMMAG6A