Camp Reach For The Sky (CR4TS)

The Teen/Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Weekend experience is specifically designed for teenagers and young adults impacted by cancer. This camp provides a supportive and safe environment where participants can be themselves, free from the everyday pressures of cancer, as well as emotional trauma that the AYA population often faces.

A variety of fun and engaging activities are offered, including team building, peer support, career and college preparation activities, field activities, and much more. All activities are tailored to meet the individual needs, whole body health, and physical abilities of the participants.

Who Qualifies: 

• If you are a current or former cancer patient between the ages of 14-25, you qualify. 
• If you are a SIBLING of a current or former cancer patient between the ages of 14-25 (even if your HERO has passed from cancer), you qualify. 
• If you are the child of a current or former cancer patient, and you are between the ages of 14-25, then you qualify. 
• Families with multiple campers can attend the camp independently.

*All campers are eligible to participate in one day only. However, we encourage all participants to take full advantage of this program by participating in both days.

Patient and sibling Campers ages 4-7

Our Day Camp offers a weeklong daytime getaway for kids ages 4-8 who have or have had cancer, siblings of those cancer patients (including those bereaved), and children of parents who are in active treatment, in remission, or have passed from cancer.

Day Camp allows children to spend the day engaged in fun activities amidst the sounds of their wild animal neighbors. Surrounded by both old and new friends who understand what they’re going through and supported by dedicated counselors and volunteers. 

As with other OAK camps, highly trained medical personnel are onsite at all times. The campground is also located near Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego should an emergency arise.

Day Camp begins at 9:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm. 

Parents and guardians are responsible for getting children to and from camp. 

We can assist you in finding a carpool for your child if needed.

Camp activities may include: Swimming, arts & crafts, talent Show, field Games, theme days, and much more! Activities are adjusted to meet the needs/health/strength challenges of all participants.

Day Camp also includes a supervised overnight activity at the end of the week for older campers. As well as, an evening Talent Show one night of the week for families to attend. (Subject to current COVID-18 restrictions)

Camp is open to:

Patients (ages 4-7), on or off treatment.

Siblings of patients (ages 4-7).

Children (ages 4-7) of a parent currently in cancer treatment, in remission, or have passed from cancer.

Children can attend separately if one child is out of the qualifying age range.

Additional info:

Online registration for Day Camp is open from January - July

Please keep in mind, you can only register your child(ren) for ONE week-long camp.

Confirmation packets for all campers will go out one month prior to the start of camp.

Click the Contact Us button or directly email Camp Administrator Robby Medina at rmedina@oncologyandkids.org  with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Patient Campers ages 8-17

Our Resident Oncology (ROC) Camp is an all-out camping adventure for children who have or have had cancer. 

Featuring a “Med Shed” housing medical equipment on premise, this weeklong overnight experience is fully staffed by dedicated physicians and nurses ready to handle anything from bug bites to chemotherapy and IV antibiotics. 

It’s a magical place where kids can shed the label of “cancer patient” and enjoy a fun-filled week to remember forever surrounded by lifelong friends who understand where they’re coming from.

Camp sessions may include: Swimming, challenge course, rock-climbing wall, archery, hiking trails, games, basketball, talent show, dance, field activities, theme days, bb guns, hikes, canoeing, campfires and much much more! 

Activities are adjusted to meet the needs/health/strength challenges of all participants.

Transportation is provided to and from camp.

Camp is open to:

Resident Oncology Camp is a truly magical place for the campers – children ages 8 to 17 who have or have had cancer. Siblings of patients may not attend Resident Oncology Camp, however, they can separately attend Sibling or Day Camp (depending on age).

Additional info:

Online registration for Resident Oncology Camp is open from January - June

Confirmation packets for all campers will go out one month prior to the start of camp.

Click the Contact Us button or directly email Camp Administrator Robby Medina at rmedina@oncologyandkids.org with any questions, comments, or concerns.

SIbling Campers ages 8-17

Sibling Camp sessions are specifically designed for the brothers and sisters of children with cancer. Kids ages 8 to 17 will gather at a beautiful campground in the woods of Julian, CA for a weeklong overnight camping adventure. 

What makes Sibling Camp so special is that it gives your child the opportunity to casually meet other kids who are going through similar experiences. It is a highly supportive and confidential atmosphere and a much-needed safe haven for the children who attend.

Camp not only will allow your child a chance to relax, have fun, and build new – often lifelong – friendships, it is also a safe place for your child to express all of those difficult, scary feelings that the siblings of a seriously ill child tend to keep bottled up inside. 

This is done organically in small, trusted groups facilitated by specially trained camp counselors. Children are welcome to share their feelings and experiences or just listen. Also, there is a licensed psychologist available to the campers at all times to help your child with any difficult emotions that may arise.

Most importantly, Sibling Camp and its many wonderful campers and counselors – many former campers themselves! – will give your child the support and strength he or she needs to continue to cope with the unique stressors that cancer puts on siblings.

Camp activities may include: Swimming, arts & crafts, ropes challenge course, rock-climbing wall, archery, hiking trails, field games, campfires and much more. Activities are adjusted to meet the needs/health/strength challenges of all participants.

Transportation is provided to and from camp.

Camp is open to:

Sibling camp is a wonderful, life changing experience for all campers – children ages 8 to 17 who have or have had a sibling with a cancer diagnosis can attend. ***The sibling who has or had cancer may not attend Sibling Camp, however, they can separately attend Resident Oncology or Day Camp (depending on age).***

Additional info:

Online registration for Sibling Camp is open from January - July

Confirmation packets for all campers will go out one month prior to the start of camp.

Click the Contact Us button or directly email Camp Administrator Robby Medina at rmedina@oncologyandkids.org with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Family Camp’s primary focus will remain on the children within these families. The main objective of this camping session is to give the kids the opportunity to casually meet other kids who also have a parent diagnosed with cancer.

Camp is a highly supportive, confidential atmosphere that serves as a safe haven for the children who attend. By partaking in Family Camp, the children will learn that they are not alone and leave with the understanding that they are just regular kids who happen to be dealing with some special problems. Family Camp gives children with a parent affected by cancer an experience often taken away by cancer–the chance to just be a kid.

In a highly supportive and confidential atmosphere, families can spend quality time together and connect with other families facing similar challenges. The children can have fun, make friends and learn they are not alone, while parents come away with a sense of comfort and understanding. Unlike other family camps, Family Camp will focus on the emotional needs of the otherwise healthy child, helping to support his or her struggle to understand and thrive alongside the parent’s life-threatening illness.

MORE INFO

Camp activities may include: Swimming, zip line, challenge course, rock-climbing wall, archery, hiking trails, game room, tree house & slide, basketball, meadow games, playgrounds, tetherball, massages, manicures, catered meals, arts and crafts, and campfires. Activities are adjusted to meet the needs/health/strength challenges of all participants.

Common questions/concerns:

• Where is Family Camp, located? KOA Temecula/Vail Lake 
• When does camp start and stop? Families arrive on Friday August 23rd around 4:30pm and depart Sunday August 25th around 11:00am.
• Can we arrive late on Friday or leave early on Sunday if needed? Yes, arrangements can be made.
• Food: All meals & snacks will be provided.
• Cost: Camp is free of charge for all families.
• Transportation: Families arrange for transportation (special accommodations can be made).

Camp is open to:

Family Camp is open to families who meet ALL of the following criteria:

Any family where at least once child qualifies for OAK's three Children-only CR4TS Camps:

    -Resident Oncology Camp

    -Sibling Camp

    -Day Camp

Or a Family with a parent must be in active treatment or recently in remission for cancer in the state of California.

Or a Family must have lost a parent or child to cancer in the state of California.

Family must have at least one child under the age 25 years old in their immediate family and must be able to attend camp

Parent must be able to self-administer any needed medications to self and family during the camping session

Parent or guardian planning to attend Family Camp session must complete the online registration application prior to being accepted (space is limited and need is high)

Parent must be able to self-administer any needed medications to self and family during the camping session

Parent or guardian must arrange for family’s transportation to and from the campsite.

Family Camp, RyanStrong is a special camp for families who are dealing with the loss of a sibling or parent due to cancer. A safe haven for everyone in attendance, this extraordinary camping session focuses on the emotional needs of children and immediate family. It’s a setting where kids can casually meet others facing similar challenges, where family members can find support for their struggles, and where all can thrive alongside each other.

Family Camp gives families the opportunity to have fun by challenging themselves in trying new things such as zip-lining, or a climbing wall, or by simply sharing stories about their loved ones. It's the perfect mix of reflection and respect for those we've lost, and celebrating those who surround us.

Staying true to Oncology And Kid’s mission, Family Camp: RyanStrong’s primary focus will remain on the children within these families. The main objective of this weekend camping session is to give these kids the opportunity to casually meet other kids who also have lost a parent or sibling to cancer. Camp is a highly supportive, confidential atmosphere that serves as safe haven for the families who attend.

MORE INFO

Camp activities may include: Swimming, zip line, challenge course, rock-climbing wall, archery, hiking trails, game room, tree house & slide, basketball, meadow games, playgrounds, tetherball, massages, manicures, catered meals, arts and crafts, and campfires. Activities are adjusted to meet the needs/health/strength challenges of all participants.

Common questions/concerns:

• Where is Family Camp, RyanStrong located? KOA Temecula/Vail Lake
• When does camp start and stop? Families arrive on Friday (Date TBD) around 4:30pm and depart Sunday (Date TBD) around 11:00am.
• Can we arrive late on Friday or leave early on Sunday if needed? Yes, arrangements can be made.
• Food: All meals & snacks will be provided.
• Cost: Camp is free of charge for all families.
• Transportation: Families arrange for transportation to and from camp. Special accommodations can be made.

Camp is open to:

RyanStrong is open to families who meet ALL of the following criteria:

Family must have lost a parent or child to cancer in the state of California.

Family must have at least one child under the age of 25 years old in their immediate family that will attend camp.

Parent or guardian planning to attend RyanStrong session must complete the online registration application prior to being accepted (space is limited and need is high)

Parent must be able to self-administer any needed medications to self and family during the camping session

Parent or guardian must arrange for family’s transportation to and from the campsite..