You have been selected as a FAMILY PAL!

Family Pals are paired with a family and serve as their guide throughout the weekend. That means welcoming your family to camp, escorting them throughout their camp experience and enjoying the joys of camp with all members of the family. Your role is very important because as the initial face of Sun Escape and the family’s constant representation, you have a major part in the feel of camp and the community that is established. In short, laugh, play and care for your campers

Your assigned family for the weekend is THE SANDOVAL FAMILY!

This family of 6 from Texas (which includes their service dog Raven) rallies around their HCP daughter Julianna. As Julianna wrote to Sun Escape last year -

“Hey everyone, I’m Julie! 🌟👧🏽 After years of being misdiagnosed with febrile seizures, fever of unknown origin, epilepsy, mental illness, anxiety, and even being accused of making up my symptoms, we finally have answers. In March 2024, while traveling, I had 14 seizures and had to be placed in a medically induced coma and intubated. That’s when my doctors agreed to run full genetic testing 🧬, and I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Hereditary Coproporphyria, along with other conditions like Angidrosis which makes me sensitive to sun and heat , severe anxiety and depression as well. My doctors call me a unicorn 🦄 because I’m one in a billion, especially as a pediatric case (the porphyria experts think I’m only child under 12 with discounter case of HCP). I’ve been sick since I was one, and in the past 12 months, 

I’ve been hospitalized almost every month. It’s been a tough journey, filled with hospital stays, anxiety, and uncertainty, but my family has been my rock: my sister is my best friend, my mom is a fierce advocate, and my dad anchors us with faith. We’re surrounded by love from friends, church, and our community, which helps us get through the hard days. I’m so grateful for my medical team—hematology, genetics, neuro, GI, and more—who care for me every step of the way. I’m also thankful for Shadow Jumpers & the UPA, who has been advocating on my behalf and bringing awareness to my condition. And to everyone who’s been praying for me and supporting us, thank you! Your prayers, messages, and support mean the world to us. God continues to work miracles in my life, even in the hardest moments. Please keep praying for strength, answers, and healing as we navigate this journey together. 💕”

We encourage our volunteers to reach out to their assigned family via email prior to the start of camp to introduce themselves. The family’s email is below. We have also shared with the family your primary email should they wish to get in contact with you proactively. While highly encouraged on both ends, it is not required to reach out.


guadalupeherrera2375@gmail.com