Hannah Beier

Camp Breastie Gives Young Women With Breast and Gynecological Cancers ‘Permission to Dream Again’

Camp Breastie provides people affected by breast and gynecological cancers, aka Breasties, a glamping experience along with panels of doctors and researchers; the opportunity to connect with others with similar stories; and more traditional fun camp experiences, like archery, friendship bracelets, open-mic nights and dancing for hours at the final party, the Breastival.

Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” blasted over the loudspeaker, and 600 campers danced and belted out the lyrics as they filed into the pavilion for the opening ceremony. Camp Breastie 2025’s theme is “Breastie Dreamland,” which co-founder Allie Brumel explained after the spontaneous dance party ended.
“When cancer touches your life, it feels like you can’t dream anymore,” she says. “We wanted Camp Breastie — Breastie Dreamland — to be a place where you have permission to dream again.”

Over four days, certain phrases echo throughout camp, such as “the worst club with the best members,” and “our community is our North Star.” Breasties lift one another up and offer a type of understanding that can be tough for young cancer patients, survivors and previvors to find in real life.

This story, written by Meghan Holohan, is published in TODAY.com.

Elise Bish walks on a runway during Breastival at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

Mariah Crenshaw, 33, poses for a portrait at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

Signage for Camp Breastie is pictured at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania..

A bracelet made during arts and crafts at Camp Breastie is pictured in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

People spend time at the pond at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

Genna Freed, 33, poses for a portrait at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

Brooke Schneider, 34, poses for a portrait at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

Brittany Butler, 29, poses for a photo taken by Michelle Anderson-Benjamin, 41, at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

People march in the Pride Parade at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

Paloma Soledad, 47, poses for a portrait at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

Heather Strassel, 36, poses for a portrait at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

People jump in a bounce house during Breastival at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

People hug during Breastival at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

A person dances with a hula hoop on stage during Breastival at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.

People dance on stage during Breastival at Camp Breastie in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.