Magic at Camp Side-by-Side for Children with Serious Illness
For the past four years, I’ve been asked to entertain the kids and families at Side-by-Side on Bainbridge Island, WA. This is one of the most rewarding gigs I get to do because of the magic’s impact on the children.
Camp Side-by-Side is a non-profit organization that puts on a week-long summer camp and a weekend winter camp for families with children fighting illness. They work in connection with Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House to connect with the families and give them an experience they won’t forget.
Seattle magician Nate Jester takes a ferry from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island, WA, and arrives at Islandwood to entertain the kids with his one-of-a-kind magic show. Watch the video and see how the magician interacts with the children by performing tricks such as the floating table and even magically climbs inside a balloon. The reaction from the children is priceless, and laughter proves to be a good dose of medicine for the sole.
JJ Kissinger works with 22 families, 52 kids, and 115 volunteers to help make everything happen. Each child is paired with a “buddy” who is there to have fun, play games, and put on skits for the entire camp. Children also bring their siblings and parents to help make things more fun.