Xue En’s and Xue Le’s Journey with Camp Rainbow: A Unique Experience for Children with Chronic Illnesses

Xue En (Right) and Xue Le (second from left) with friends made at Camp Rainbow

Camp Rainbow, the biggest and only medically-supervised 3D2N camp organised by Club Rainbow (Singapore) for children with chronic illnesses, offers more than just a fun getaway. It is a transformative experience where children can grow, form lifelong friendships, and create unforgettable memories. We spoke with Xue En and Xue Le, two inspiring individuals who were once participants of Camp Rainbow and are now giving back as volunteer befrienders and committee members. Their journey reflects the profound impact Camp Rainbow has had on their lives. 

Meet Xue En and Xue Le 

“Hi! We’re both past campers of Camp Rainbow,” Xue En and Xue Le greet warmly. “We joined Club Rainbow in 2013 and our very first camp was in 2014”.  

Xue En and Xue Le are siblings who were introduced to Club Rainbow through their mother, who was approached by a Club Rainbow staff during an appointment at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH). Xue Le has Rare Syndromes and Inborn Errors of Metabolism, while Xue En has asthma, a respiratory condition. This encounter marked the beginning of their journey with Club Rainbow, a journey that has continued to shape their lives in meaningful ways, providing emotional, educational and financial support, as well as fostering their personal growth. 

A Life-Changing Experience at Camp Rainbow  

As children of Club Rainbow, Xue En and Xue Le have participated in Camp Rainbow for at least 6 years. “We both had lots of fun, unforgettable memories and many learning opportunities, always with Camp Rainbow. Camp Rainbow gives us the chance to meet many awesome people and learn from them!” they shared. For Xue Le, one of the standout moments at Camp Rainbow was a conversation with a surgeon who shared insights about her profession when Xue Le was exploring future career choices. This sparked Xue Le’s interest to pursue her studies in pharmaceutical science. Meanwhile, Xue En discovered her passion for photography after spending time with a volunteer befriender named Casper, who brought his sleek, high-end camera to Camp Rainbow and post-camp outings, teaching any interested children the basics of photography. This newfound hobby led Xue En to join her school’s photography club. 

Camp Rainbow also turned out to be a yearly gathering with their long-lasting friendships.  Feeling surreal, Xue En and Xue Le shared, “Ya Nee (far left in photo) was our group leader from our very first camp, ‘Hero Assemble’, in 2014. Elieen (second from the right in photo) was also a first-time camper with us in the very same group that year. These are friendships that are formed in the very first camp, and it's been ten years. Sounds crazy?”  

They added, “We always look forward to going to Camp Rainbow, not just because it's camping and fun but, most importantly, because it's like a big family gathering. Everyone there generally cares for one another, including the grown-ups, and warmly welcomes those who are new. The once-a-year camp was like a yearly catch-up with friends, creating a very homey atmosphere. Thus, from all these previous camp experiences, we love Camp Rainbow very much.” 

Volunteering: Giving Back to the Camp Rainbow That Gave So Much 

After years of experiencing the benefits of Camp Rainbow as participants, Xue En and Xue Le return as volunteer befrienders and committee members simply because of their love for Camp Rainbow. “We love Camp Rainbow! We hope to have the power to bring it forward and hopefully provide kids with the amazing camp we had.” 

Volunteering for Camp Rainbow has been fun, fulfilling and incredibly rewarding for them. As they prepare for Camp Rainbow 2025, Xue En and Xue Le are eager to continue making a difference. “Being part of Camp Rainbow and bringing joy to the children, hopefully making this camp something they too will remember, like we did with every single one of our camps.” 

To others who are considering to volunteer for Camp Rainbow, Xue En and Xue Le offer this advice: “Welcome to Camp Rainbow! You'll become part of a really special community. Everyone in Camp Rainbow is working together to bring a successful camp for the children to enjoy. It's a serious commitment, but the feeling of knowing you've made a positive impact on a child's life is incredibly rewarding. If you're willing to dedicate your time and energy, it's an experience you'll never forget.” 

About Camp Rainbow  

Organised by Club Rainbow (Singapore), Camp Rainbow is the biggest and only medically-supervised 3D2N camp for children with chronic illnesses. 

Join us in making a difference in the lives of children with chronic illnesses by volunteering for Camp Rainbow or for our other events and activities. Together, we can continue to create magical experiences for those who need it most!