Young adults diagnosed with a brain tumor (18-35 years old)
Young adults diagnosed with cancer (18-35 years old)
Teenagers diagnosed with cancer (13-18 years old)
Teenagers diagnosed with a brain tumor (13-18 years old).
Children diagnosed with cancer (6-12 years old) in or out of treatment.
Siblings and children of cancer patients (13-18 years old)
Siblings/children of cancer patients (age 6-12).
A camp for families with a child 12 or younger that has been diagnosed with cancer.
Retreat for cancer survivors (21+) and their caregiver (21+)
We can’t say it any better than the campers do themselves. Their stories of grappling with heavy emotions and accepting the hand they have been dealt are only one side of the coin; the other side contains their tales of discovery with friends by their sides, friends who have more in common with them than they thought possible. If Camp Mak-A-Dream can continue to help survivors and their families live with and beyond cancer, then both sides of the coin are successes in our eyes.
Camp Mak-A-Dream empowers survivors and their families to live with and beyond cancer through life-changing Montana experiences where they strengthen life skills, gain resilience, and develop lasting relationships.
At Camp, our programs help survivors and their families develop lasting relationships and gain resiliency. Here, they discover new resources. They get out into beautiful places and share life-changing experiences. They are empowered to live with and beyond cancer. Camp offers a variety of activities including swimming, ropes course, archery, outdoor games, hiking, fishing, crafts, and group cabin chat plus much, much more.
The Montana experience — gem mining like original settlers, hiking as high as possible to catch the best glimpse of that “Big Sky” — is the foundation of our camps and programs. But the energy and connection between the campers themselves are what make each Camp what it is. Campers fill our acres with a passion, empathy, and openness that allow the weight of their stresses to float away. This group experience is one we value above all else. That’s why Camp Mak-A-Dream is cost-free.
Our activities are inclusive, in that campers are encouraged, but not required, to participate. Golf carts and wheelchairs are available to ensure that participants can get around campus easily.
In addition to all of our great outdoor recreation, each week we host local presenters who come to share their knowledge and talents with the campers. These activities may include theatre games, yoga, drumming, silk painting, and cartooning.
For the evenings, we plan special events designed to enhance community and friendship. In the course of a week, campers may enjoy a Hawaiian pool party, Carnival Night, Olympic Games, or a Hollywood-themed dance. Most days we schedule a Cabin Chat as well, which is a special time set aside for campers to talk and share in a safe, supportive environment. During these chats, participants have an opportunity to share their feelings, thoughts, and experiences, about living with cancer.
Beyond on-site activities, we usually spend one day off campus. We may go bowling in Deer Lodge, visit a water park in Missoula, or mine for sapphires in historic Philipsburg.
Coming into this camp,
I expected the kids to be more ill
or needing more assistance.
That stigma was completely broken
by the strong, independent,
and entirely courageous group of children.
~ Kirsten, Kids Camp Cabin volunteer
We finish our Kids Camp with a banquet dinner, a slide show of photography taken by our staff photographer and by campers themselves, and a talent show where campers are encouraged to showcase their talents in front of a supportive audience. By the second or third day, usually everyone has let loose and, by the talent show, everyone’s growth is clearly evident.
This is a place where you learn
to wear what you have
as a badge of honor.
Camp programs are organized by age group. We are an all-abilities, cost-free camp. And we are a leader in offering programs specifically for teens and young adults who have experienced brain cancers.
Camp has truly changed my life
and opened my eyes
to what I have the potential to do.
Missoula Office
P.O. Box 1450
Missoula, Montana 59806
406-549-5987
Camp Address
727 Camp Mak-A-Dream Road
Gold Creek, Montana 59733
406.288.3030
www.campdream.org
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