Camp Hobé

Camp Hobé is a special summer camp designed for children with cancer and their siblings. Camp Hobé is for kids 4 to 19 years old from the Inter-mountain area (Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada) or those being treated for cancer (or similarly-treated disorders) at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kids diagnosed with these disorders can attend while being treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immuno-suppressants and for three camp seasons after their final treatment. The patient’s brothers and sisters can also attend during this time.

Camp Hobé offers psychosocial support for children with cancer and similarly-treated disorders and their families, through summer camps and family outings. Our mission is to create an atmosphere that enhances self-esteem, fosters independence and friendships, and creates a feeling of belonging.

Camp Hobé gives these families opportunity to participate in activities just like those who are not affected by these illnesses. The summer camp program provides medical and psychosocial supervision to ensure children are safe both mentally and physically during camp.

Our in-person camp program offers 3 sessions each summer: a 5-day session for kids ages 7-11 years, a 5-day session for teens ages 12-19 years, and a 2-day program for kids ages 4-6 years. Because we do not wish to turn any patients away, we may limit summer camp attendance to no more than four children from any one family, including the patient (that is, one patient and up to three siblings).

Our virtual camp offers 1 session each summer for ages 6-19 years, providing interactive activities for campers who live farther away or are unable to attend in-person for whatever reason (eg, illness, hospitalization, travel concerns).

Our family outing program offers several free family activities throughout the year.

Throughout their time with our programs, Camp Hobé participants grow in spirit, strength and understanding. They are allowed to have fun with others, to discover the joy and freedom of being away from the confines of the hospital, and to temporarily displace the fears that the future holds. This is their chance — sometimes their only chance — to “just be kids” and to escape the grown-up realities they face everyday.

Camp Hobé Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 57-1149391), and all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

At Camp Hobé, campers have the opportunity to rediscover self-confidence and build meaningful friendships. Children of all ages make lifelong friends that understand. I loved doing the string art.
It was super fun.
This week has really helped me get away from real life,
all of the friend problems,
all of the problems with friends having boyfriends.
It was just nice to get away.Camp is the best part of my summer.
Every year I get to spend time
singing, playing, and growing
with the most amazing teens I have ever known.
The very real conversations
I overhear them having with each other
cause me to reflect deeply.
The resiliency and vulnerability
with which they deal with these life-altering trials
is sobering and inspiring.
If everyone could spend time at Camp Hobé,
the world would be a little better.
By the end of camp,
people are more kind,
and everyone feels closer.I love that Hobé is a place
I can speak openly about my sister’s cancer.
Everyone is so welcoming
and they make me feel like family.
I love everyone here
and they always make me happy.
We do the best crafts, activities,
and we always have the best food!
Love you lots!I connected with a girl
who has the same kind of cancer I had.
We talked as we walked together
and we strengthened each other.
We talked about how there’s always something
to be grateful for,
even in the worst circumstances.
Her positive and hopeful outlook on her situation inspired me.