Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society
Camp Sundown
A night camp for children with life-threatening sun sensitivity
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Welcome to Camp Sundown
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The Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society
Celebrating 28 years of Empowering People with UV-Sensitivity
What is XP? How does it affect people? Imagine that you had to put on a hooded jacket, gloves, faceshield and hat every time you went outside to keep the sun from blistering your skin. XP is a rare disease that exhibits extreme light sensitivity and puts patients at great risk for hundreds of skin and eye cancers cancers. Learn more.
Camp Sundown began in 1995 as one family's dream to give their daughter a "normal" childhood camp experience. It has grown into an annual gathering of XP kids, a foundation for their families and leading researchers to share experiences, build friendships and learn from each other. A camp for the "Children of the Night." Learn more.
The Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society runs a number of programs including education, fundraising, and outreach to benefit those affected by XP around the world. This non-profit foundation has no paid staff positions, benefiting from the generosity of volunteers and donors. There are many ways to get involved. Learn more.
News stories have helped to educate about XP. People affected by extreme sun sensitivity look just like everyone else, until blisters or freckles, cancers begin to appear. Parents don't know why their baby cries when they go outside. Children don't understand why the sun burns so painfully. We hope through more stories like these and work through the Xp Society, there will be a greater understanding and awareness about XP. Read more.
The Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society was founded in 1995 by Dan and Caren Mahar. The XP Society has grown to become the international authority for XP family support and provides information to help families make intelligent decisions in caregiving of UV-sensitive people. Through the generous donations of time, talent and financial contributions, the XP Society is proud to offer Camp Sundown, the unique to the world night camp program and family retreat free of charge to XP patients and their families. Get involved.
Camp Sundown News 2026
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closing of Camp Sundown and the XP Society. Founded in 1995 by the parents of a child with XP, the Society grew from a dedicated board of directors meeting at kitchen tables to an international authority on xeroderma pigmentosum and host to a unique to the world night camp for children and their families. It has been an amazing ride, meeting families from around the globe, connecting people and sharing tips for successful living in a dim world. We grew together with the support of scientific and medical expertise, the generosity of volunteers and donors and the caring hearts of so many. It is hard to say goodbye.
We have not solicited donations or run any fundraising events since 2021 and hoping we would return to the glory days of Camp Sundown as it was before COVID; that was not to be. In closing we wish everyone the best life has to offer you, will continue to support where we can and thank you for being part of something much bigger than ourselves. Be well.
This page will remain available until December 1, 2026. Thank you again.
Camp Sundown
Week One on Video by Camper Cassidy Clark
Contact us:
Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society, Inc.
437 Snydertown Road
Craryville, NY 12521, USA
Telephone: (518) 929-2174
Email: xps@xps.org