Camper Families

Our Family Camps offer time away from home and hospitals for families to relax, connect, and make lasting memories together. From Summer Family Camp to seasonal Weekend at Camps in winter, spring, and fall, families can enjoy special moments and build friendships year-round.

Who can apply?

We serve children (aged 0-18) and families affected by serious illness. For a specific list of eligibility by program, please visit our Program Calendar. Participants must reside in Ontario (or be receiving primary care in Ontario), and provide a completed camp application which includes medical forms. All participants must be up to date on routine childhood vaccination schedules, if medically able to be vaccinated.

To apply for camp, or inquire about your child’s diagnosis, please complete and submit an inquiry form. A member of our medical team will follow up with you within 5 business days to discuss eligibility. If you have any questions about eligibility, reach out to our Nursing Director, Sandra Ross at medical@campfirecircle.org or 1-888-464-6624 ext. 261.

Each summer we offer multiple, one-week sessions for children with serious illnesses as well as a one-week session for siblings and one session for bereaved siblings. Campers are immersed in nature with their peers, where they can recapture a spirit of fun, friendship, self-confidence, and independence.

Who can apply?

Campers aged 6-15 affected by childhood cancer or serious illness. For a specific list of eligibility by program, please visit our seasonal program brochure. Participants must reside in Ontario (or be receiving primary care in Ontario) and provide a completed camp application which includes medical forms. All participants must be up to date on routine childhood vaccination schedules, if medically able to be vaccinated.

To apply for camp, or inquire about your child’s diagnosis, please complete and submit an inquiry form. A member of our medical team will follow up with you within 5 business days to discuss eligibility. If you have any questions about eligibility, reach out to our Nursing Director, Sandra Ross at medical@campfirecircle.org or 1-888-464-6624 ext. 261.

Campfire Circle offers programs specifically for bereaved siblings (children who have had a sibling die from their cancer or serious illness diagnosis) and their families, connecting them with others who share a similar experience. Bereaved sibling campers can participate in a variety of programs depending on the season, including our week-long summer overnight kids camp, seasonal family weekends at camp, and community programs offered across the province.

Campfire Circle offers various leadership programs and wilderness camping trips for teens aged 16 -18 throughout the year. Through workshops, discussions and experiential learning, we help young adults build on existing skills and develop new ones. We offer the following leadership programs at overnight camp in the summer:

Leaders in Training
Offered during the summer at overnight camp in Muskoka, campers earn volunteer service hours that can be used toward their high school diploma and the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, as well as tangible experience for their resume.

• Leaders In Training 1 (LIT 1) – a one-week program for teens (patients and siblings) aged 16-17 at overnight camp that focuses on building foundational knowledge on topics such as working with younger campers, facilitating camp programs, and developing essential leadership skills. This program provides a starting point from which emerging leaders can begin to develop their leadership and camp counsellor skills.
• Leaders In Training 2 (LIT 2) – a one-week program for teens (patients and siblings) aged 17-18 that builds on the leadership and program facilitation skills gained in Leaders in Training 1.Campers spend the week as a junior counsellor, in a placement with a younger cabin group to gain practical experience working as a camp counsellor.
• Upstream – a week-long summer overnight wilderness canoe trip option for teens (patients and siblings) aged 16-18 who want to further develop their backcountry tripping skills.
• High school credit program – patients aged 16-18 can earn a Grade 11 health and physical education credit during the summer at overnight camp in Muskoka.

Campfire Circle hosts a bi-annual Weekend at Camp for young adults aged 19 – 25 who have experienced a serious illness diagnosis as a child. This program is an opportunity to build community with peers while participating in workshops on leadership skill development, team building and goal setting, and hear from impactful speakers. We also offer opportunities to stay connected throughout the year through programs like our annual Career Day.

Experience the joy of camp across Ontario in Toronto, Hamilton, London, and Ottawa and more! Community programs give year-round opportunities for Campers and families affected by childhood serious illness to have fun together and meet others with similar experiences. We’ve got something for every member of the family.

Virtual camp meets Campers wherever they are—in the hospital or at home, bringing playfulness, creativity, movement, and song into kids’ and families’ homes and hospital rooms across Ontario. Programs are wide-ranging from community campfires to game shows, music programs, trivia, crafts, magic, and more can be accessed from anywhere ensuring that everyone can be included.