Camp is offered free to all children who have or have had cancer. And most importantly, our camp family is small — only 25 to 35 campers are selected each year – so get your request in soon.
In addition to our yearly oncology camp, CMM now offers the following FREE camps for the family members of the children who attend our oncology camp:
- Oncology camp: June
- SIB’S: So Important Brothers & Sisters Weekend takes place in February
- MOM’S: Retreat takes place in October and offers a weekend getaway for the moms
- DAD’S Work Weekend: Takes place in August and is for the dads…and yes, they usually build something for the camp!
Camp Magical Moments is a member of COCA (Children’s Oncology Camping Association) and the American Camp Association, whose standards are followed at camp.
Our dream is to offer children with cancer and their families a place of retreat in an environment of fun, friendship, and love.
Camp Magical Moments’ main focus is our yearly cancer camp which takes place the third week of June each year for children ages 7-12 who have or have had cancer. Approximately 30 children join 42 fabulous volunteers for a week of magical moments. Each child is under the supervision of counselors and supported by staff members and volunteers. A three to four person medical team is on site at all times to oversee all of the medical needs of the campers.
The campers arrive on Sunday afternoon and, after a visit to the Med Shed, take a tour of the ranch. Everyone gets to know each other during our Square Ice Cream Social; however, soon parents are asked to leave so our week of fun can begin! The goal of the week is to have fun, and fun is what we have.
From zip-lining to horseback riding to our team-building activities, to the climbing wall, to the rappelling tower – a lot of special moments are created! All of our activities are led by trained or licensed Activity Leaders who go over safety rules for each and every activity. Since we have such a small group of campers with many staff members, the atmosphere is quite “magical.”
During camp, a special uplifting Celebration of Life takes place in our Garden of Angels where we remember those campers who have lost the battle to their cancer. We have found it is very important to the children to know that if something ever happens to them, they ALWAYS will be remembered at our camp!
There is a Special Guest Party mid-week during camp to honor our major donors and sponsors. They are treated to an afternoon of fun at the ranch with the campers and then an evening of entertainment at the campfire. The male counselors and campers have serenaded the guests with the unforgettable song – “God Bless My Underwear!” What a special event it is, and our “Special Guests” enjoy their time spent with our campers!
MOM’s Retreat
Six years ago, we held our first MOM’s Retreat with 16 mothers attending. This free weekend usually takes place in the third week in October and is for the moms of the children who attend or have attended our camp.
The weekend is all about spoiling our favorite moms with good food, spa treatments, and lovely gift items. In addition, we offer a discussion session with the moms led by a psychologist who has attended each and every retreat since its inception. This session gives them the opportunity to discuss and share their feelings on having a child with cancer and any other issues they may be dealing with throughout the year.
We are excited to offer this weekend as a retreat allowing the moms the opportunity to make friends for life and to share many magical moments! What a powerful weekend this is!
DAD’s Work Weekend
Three years ago, we held our first Dad’s Work Weekend because we realized the dads also needed a camp just for them. Plus, they wanted to build something. Now, every August we host a free weekend for the dads of the kids who attend or have attended our cancer camp.
The weekend, complete with fantastic food prepared by one of our great camp volunteers, offers the opportunity for the dads to get together and do something for the camp. This is their way of “giving back to us for all that we do for their kids!” They have constructed an old-fashioned stage area for the campers, a shade protection area for the campfire area, built a horseshoe pit, and many other projects.
This weekend allows them the chance to be around other dads who share similar issues and experiences in dealing with a child who has or has had cancer. They work together for a common cause!
On another note, our DAD’s Weekend project this past August has been selected as one of Idaho’s Brightest Star nominees. What an honor it is to work with this great group of men.
956 Rainey Creek Rd
P.O. Box 12
Swan Valley, Idaho 83449
208-483-4345
[email protected]
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