Welcome

North Star Reach
Camp-At-Home

Wherever you are, come celebrate what it means to be connected to one another. Together, we’ll create a community where friendship, laughter and kindness are what matter most. A place where we’ll reach for the stars and remind ourselves that anything is possible. We’re so glad you’re here.

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Photo: Eric Bronson, Michigan Photography

Love the Mooseness

Letter from Our
Director of Camping

We’ve always known that our camp is not about the place, but the people. People who clear away the everyday to make good things happen for children who live with serious illnesses and often miss out on chances to just be kids. That feeling of community coming together to create a brighter world for others, and ourselves, is something we call “mooseness.” Follow the link below to hear more about our remarkable community, and this moose I know.

More About Mooseness

Patrick Smith

North Star Reach Director of Camping

Photo: Eric Bronson, Michigan Photography

Love the Mooseness

We Are Here for You

Parents & Caregivers

We are proud to announce a series of new programs designed to deliver support, resources, improved well-being and hope to parents, guardians and caregivers of seriously ill children.

Parents & Caregivers

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Oct 15

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE DRAWING: Tune in for our Frida

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE DRAWING: Tune in for our Friday t-shirt giveaway drawing, as we find out the winner of this week’s challenge: to guess where at camp our zoomed in photo was.

The answer was ADVENTURE! And one of our all-star volunteers, Crystal, is the winner for this weeks challenge! 🌟
Be sure to tune in again next week for another “spooktacular” (👻) Mooseness Challenge and for your chance to connect with us, and our community, and win some cool camp swag. 🏕 #moosenesschallenge

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Oct 14

Our October "Trail Mix" newsletter is chock-full o

Our October "Trail Mix" newsletter is chock-full of goodies, from upcoming program and event news (hello, Halloween Glow!), donor appreciations (our supporters helped us raise nearly $100,000 in the past month--WOW!), and gratitude for our incredible community. Click link in bio to check out all the exciting news. If you aren't a Trail Mix subscriber already, you can also follow this link to get the latest camp news delivered monthly to your inbox.

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Oct 13

HALLOWEEN GLOW TICKETS ARE GOING FAST! 🎃🎃🎃 Be sure to reserve your drive-thru spot today and join us for this popular, family-friendly Halloween experience at camp, all from the safety of your car. Our thanks to Britney Snyder at @mlivenews and Doug Marrin at @thesuntimesnews for helping us to get the word out. We can't wait to welcome our friends to camp for a spirited evening of magical light displays, trick or treating and other fun surprises. Click link in bio to get your tickets today!
#halloweenglow2021 #serioushalloweenfun

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Oct 12

North Star Reach’s Halloween Glow & Light Show D

North Star Reach’s Halloween Glow & Light Show Drive-Thru is back! We will be welcoming approximately 2,000 friends to our campus for an enchanted wooded wonderland experience (Oct. 28-31), featuring Halloween illuminated displays. You can enjoy trick-or-treat stations too, all from the safety of your vehicle. Costumes encouraged! This was a hugely popular event last year, and tickets ($25 per vehicle) will likely sell out quickly. (North Star Reach families: You are welcome to complimentary tickets: DM us or email campers@northstarreach.org to get your discount code.) Click link in bio to get your tickets today!

A very special thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible:
@abercrombie, @dominos, WACKER, @laveyinsurance, @chelseastatebank, @stieperbrustortho, and Extreme Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram.
#halloweenglow2021 #spooktacularevent

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Oct 11

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE: For this week’s challenge,

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE: For this week’s challenge, we’re playing a game called “Close Up.” We’ve zoomed into a photo taken at camp and it’s your job to figure out where it’s at! We’ve given you some clues with a riddle below:

Here you’ll learn to work as a team
With wooden planks and wooden beams
This activity area is next to the pool
Shade from the trees will help you stay cool
Near the Amphitheater where campers show off their talents
Try the ‘Whale Watch’ to test your skills and your balance
The answer to this riddle, we’re sure that you may know.
Make sure you take a guess by commenting below!

To enter our challenge this week, simply comment your guess below (or send us a DM) of where you believe this picture was taken. We’ll reveal the location of the photo during our drawing this Friday afternoon. Anyone who plays will get a chance to win a cozy NSR camp t-shirt.

We look forward to your submissions!

#moosenesschallenge #teamworkdreamwork

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Oct 9

Looking for a sweet treat that supports camp? Our

Looking for a sweet treat that supports camp? Our friends at @krispykreme have you covered! Now, through 12/31, donate in-shop to support @seriousfun_camps, including North Star Reach, and receive a FREE Original Glazed® Doughnut. Learn more at https://www.krispykreme.com/promos/seriousfun

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Oct 8

The photos are here! The photos are here! 📸 Che

The photos are here! The photos are here! 📸 Check out some incredible photos taken by staff, volunteers and sponsors from our first ever NSR Interstellar 5K Trail Race! The entire photo album is up on our NSR Facebook page! 💫

All thanks to our runners, fundraisers, and sponsors we were able to raise over $52,000 to support our campers and their families. What an incredible feeling of love and comradery that was felt throughout our camp community, we had over 200 runners join us in this endeavor!

A very special thank you to our sponsors Y-mAbs Therapeutics, @reinhart.charitable.foundation, @deltadentalmi, @healingnotesfoundation, @zingermanscommunity, @laveyinsurance, and WACKER.

Relive this beautiful morning by diving into our photos capturing our 5k event! 🌅🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼

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Oct 7

AND WE’RE BAAAACK! We had an incredible day of p

AND WE’RE BAAAACK! We had an incredible day of presentations, personal stories, sharing of community resources and connection yesterday. More great sessions are happening today during our "Serious Support: Family Care Conference," beginning online at 10:30 AM (EST) with a welcome from the North Star Reach team and then a keynote at 11 AM with Kristen Marzolf’s (LCSW, SEP) “The Truth About Trauma: Finding Resilience.” Afternoon breakouts (1-3 PM) focus on self-care practices for caregivers, with sessions on yoga, poetry, spirituality, and being a better communicator. Plus, an Open Forum with our friends from @epilepsyfoundation_mi. Special thanks to North Star Reach Conference Chairperson Mary Ann Fithian for making the magic happen!!! And our deepest thanks to conference sponsors, the Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation and @spectrumhealth @devoschildrens. Click link in bio to register for FREE and join us on Zoom: today. #careconference #parentstakingcareofparents #serioussupport2021

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Oct 5

HAPPENING TOMORROW! We are so excited to kick off

HAPPENING TOMORROW! We are so excited to kick off our 2nd Annual "Serious Support: Family Care Conference,” taking place tomorrow and Thursday. A very special thank you to our conference sponsors, the Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation and @spectrumhealth @devoschildrens, for generous funding, allowing us to offer this event free to the public.

You’re invited to join us and connect with a REMARKABLE community of caregivers. The thoughtfully curated program includes: Manisha Leary, LMSW (@waynemedicine); Bridget Schank (caregiver); Charlotte Matthews (caregiver); Kathy Prout (caregiver); Pastor Vicky Lovell, BA, Med, MDiv (@zionannarbor); Karin G. McNicholas, MSW, LCSW, and Dennis J. McNicholas, ESQ.; Mary Ann Fithian (North Star Reach); Will Falzon; Danielle Groth (I Am Well); Shavonn Burgess (@kennedysvillage); Katie Farrell, RN (@dashingdish); Dr. Matthew Denenberg (@devoschildrens); Russ Derry (@epilepsyfoundation_mi); Dr. Rebecca Patrias (North Star Reach)’ W. Patrick Smith (North Star Reach); Kristen Marzolf, LCSW, SEP (The Family Resilience Group); Aubrey Schupbach (@zion.well); Peter Markus (@insideoutliteraryarts); Ami Walsh (North Star Reach); Jeneva Stone, MFA, PhD (@littlelobbyists); Dr. Louis Dang (@mottchildren); and Nicole Fitzpatrick (caregiver). ✨

PLEASE JOIN US! Click link in bio to register today for the free online gathering!

#careconference #parentscaringforparents #seriousfun #inspirationforcaregivers

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Oct 4

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE: This week, our Family Care Co

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE: This week, our Family Care Conference takes place on Wednesday and Thursday! This is a two-day virtual conference, designed to bring parents and caregivers of children with serious illnesses together with leading medical, mental health and wellness professionals. By listening, sharing, and connecting through presentations, panels, and workshops, together we will create a supportive, close-knit community to help us all learn from, and support, one another.

For this week’s Mooseness Challenge, we invite you to tag a friend who you believe would benefit from attending our Family Care Conference and nominate them to win this week's free t-shirt. We look forward to your nominations and sending a camp gift to someone special on Friday.

To learn more about our Family Care Conference and to register, simply follow the link in our bio.

#moosenesschallenge #familycareconference #campily

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Oct 1

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE DRAWING: Tune in for our Frida

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE DRAWING: Tune in for our Friday t-shirt giveaway drawing, as we find out the winner of this week’s challenge: to share the most spectacular spot in nature you’ve ever visited. And, WOW, share you did: We loved seeing your photos and hearing about your outdoor adventures. Many thanks to Interstellar 5K Assistant Race Director Cristina Spurlin, also a member of North Star Reach’s Young Professional Board, for hosting today’s drawing. Congratulations to this week’s winner. Be sure to tune in again next week for your chance to connect with us, and our community, and win some cool camp swag. #moosenesschallenge

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Sep 30

IT'S ALMOST HERE! ✨Join us to experience the hea

IT'S ALMOST HERE! ✨Join us to experience the healing power of community during our 2nd Annual “Serious Support: Family Care Conference.” The two-day virtual conference (Oct. 6 & 7) is designed to help parents and caregivers of children with serious illnesses learn from professionals, and from one another. Thanks to event sponsor @spectrumhealth @devoschildrens, the conference is free to all attendees. Keynote presentations (11 AM–12 PM, EST) include “Stories of Self-Care: A Prescription for Wellness” on Tuesday, Oct. 6 (facilitated by Manisha Leary, LMSW) and “The Truth About Trauma: Finding Resilience” on Wednesday, Oct. 7 (led by Kristen Marzolf, LCSW, SEP). Follow link in bio to see the full program, including a terrific lineup of panels and breakout sessions, and register today! We hope to see you next week! #serioussupport #parentshelpingparents #familysupport

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Sep 29

We're feeling a big bounce in our step, thanks to

We're feeling a big bounce in our step, thanks to the incredible sponsors of our upcoming 5K Interstellar Trail Run/Walk, taking place this Saturday (Oct. 2). We can’t thank them enough for supporting this important fundraiser for our camp families! To “Presenting Sponsors” Y-mAbs Therapeutics and @reinhart.charitable.foundation and “Title Sponsors” @deltadentalm, @healingnotesfoundation, @laveyinsurance, WACKER, and @zingermanscommunity: we are so grateful for your amazing support.

To our Instagram followers: if you haven’t already, be sure to tag a friend to encourage them to participate virtually in the run/walk by clicking link in our bio (registration is closed for the in-person race). Every entry helps fund free programs for kids with serious illnesses and their families and raises awareness for our mission. 💛 #donorsmakeitpossible

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Sep 28

Looking for an amazing volunteer opportunity? The

Looking for an amazing volunteer opportunity? The Probility Ann Arbor Marathon is approaching quickly, and we would love your help in staffing a water station as well as some other roles on Sunday, Oct. 24. We are incredibly grateful to @epicraces for choosing us as one of their charity partners for the race and we look forward to what is sure to be an amazing event!

If you would like to learn more and sign up to volunteer, please email NSR's Louisa Artelt at louisa@northstarreach.org.

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Sep 27

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE: Exploring nature is an amazin

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE: Exploring nature is an amazing way to practice self-care. Breathing in the fresh air while the sun shines on your face can feel amazingly peaceful. Here at North Star Reach, we have 105-acres of beautiful scenic trails that wind through wooded areas and waterfront to explore.

For this week’s Mooseness Challenge we want to hear about the most scenic spot in nature that you have ever visited. Whether you were hiking, camping, or running a 5k, please share your experience by simply commenting below or sending us a DM (feel free to include a photo if you have one)! Anyone who plays will be entered into our giveaway drawing on Friday for a chance to win a cozy camp t-shirt!

Looking for an opportunity to experience the beauty of camp? We still have spots available for our inaugural Interstellar 5k trail run this Saturday, October 2nd! To learn more and to register, follow the link in our bio!

#moosenesschallenge #interstellar5k #moosetronauts #trailrun #puremichigan #pinckney #5k #northstarreach

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Sep 26

Today is the day! SeriousFun for All is premiering

Today is the day! SeriousFun for All is premiering today at 6 p.m. (EST)! Join us, along with the SeriousFun Children’s Network global community, to help raise awareness and support campers living with serious illnesses and their families. Get ready for musical performances, celebrity appearances, and debuts from SeriousFun campers!

Click the link in our bio to register to watch for free. We hope to see you there! #weareseriousfun

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Sep 24

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE DRAWING: For this week’s Moo

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE DRAWING: For this week’s Mooseness Challenge, in recognition of #SickleCellAwarnessMonth, we asked our followers to salute the dedicated community of caregivers working to improve the lives of those living with sickle cell disease. Thank you to everyone who sent encouragement and love. Join Crystal, a longtime North Star Reach program volunteer, to find out this week’s T-shirt winner.

#sicklecellwarriors #sicklecellawarenessmonth #moosenesschallenge

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Sep 23

UPCOMING CONFERENCE NEWS ✨: We are thrilled to s

UPCOMING CONFERENCE NEWS ✨: We are thrilled to share the 2nd Annual “Serious Support: Family Care Conference” schedule. The two-day virtual conference (Oct. 6 & 7) is designed to help parents and caregivers of children with serious illnesses learn from professionals, and from one another. Check out the link in our bio to see the impressive lineup of presenters, including practitioners from @waynemedicine, @devoschildrens, @mottchildren, @epilepsyfoundation_mi, as well as family practice psychologists, social workers, spiritual counselors, wellness providers, artists, and caregivers from the North Star Reach community.

Thanks to generous donors, the conference is free and open to the public. You can attend one, some, or all the keynote presentations, panels, and breakout sessions. All are welcome and we’d be grateful if you would share the conference information with families, caregivers, students, and/or clinicians and professionals who might be interested (Continuing Education Credits are available upon request for those in attendance). Follow link in bio to view the complete schedule and register today!

#parentshelpingparents #serioussupport #familycareconference

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Sep 22

We’re only 10 days away from North Star Reach's

We’re only 10 days away from North Star Reach's first ever Interstellar 5K Trail run, taking place at our beautiful 105-acre camp on October 2nd. Walk or run along the scenic trail winding through the woods and along the waterfront at camp. A virtual option is also available. See link in bio for additional info and registration details. Just 40 more spots available and your chance to take home some out-of-this-world race hardware. A cosmic thank you to our event sponsors Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Inc., @reinhart.charitable.foundation, @zingermanscommunity, @healingnotesfoundation, WACKER, @deltadentalmi, and Lavey Insurance! Thank you also to our amazing event volunteers: We are fully staffed and ready for a great race day!
#lovethemooseness #donorsmakeitpossible #moosetronauts

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Sep 20

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE: In recognition of #SickleCell

MOOSENESS CHALLENGE: In recognition of #SickleCellAwarenessMonth, our challenge this week salutes those working hard to find a cure for this inherited blood disorder and to improve the health of children and adults afflicted with sickle cell anemia, including our partners at @sicklecellmichigan, @scdai, @advocatekids and @luriesicklecell. To play this week, simply comment below or share an emoji to cheer on #sicklecellwarriors. ❤️🥰

Anyone who plays will be entered into our giveaway drawing this Friday. Along with the chance to win a cozy camp T-shirt, you’ll be sending a little love to the many sickle cell warriors gathered around our virtual campfire. (Photo: Sickle Cell Camp 2019) #sicklecellawarenessmonth #sicklecellstrong #sicklecellnow

Get in touch!

EMAIL

info@northstarreach.org

PHONE

FAX

North Star Reach Camp

1200 University Camp Drive
Pinckney, MI 48169

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

North Star Reach is an independent nonprofit medical speciality camp based in Pinckney, Michigan. We provide life-changing camp experiences for children living with serious illnesses and their families, at no charge to them. You can support us today by making a donation.

Click Here & Donate

Stay Connected

PHONE

North Star Reach Camp

1200 University Camp Drive
Pinckney, MI 48169

Stay Connected

FAX

EMAIL

info@northstarreach.org

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

North Star Reach is an independent nonprofit medical speciality camp based in Pinckney, Michigan. We provide life-changing camp experiences for children living with serious illnesses and their families, at no charge to them. You can support us today by making a donation.

Click Here & Donate

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North Star Reach is a platinum-level
GuideStar participant

American Camp Association

American Camp
Association Accredited

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Photo Credit: Leisa Thompson Photography