2022 AYA Camps and Experiences

Below you will find a list of national camps, retreats and experiences that are available for AYA cancer patients and happening in person and online this year. Each camp has different COVID protocols. If you are interested, please speak with your oncologist and find out which experience is right for you.

Many of these camps are free for participants but often may not include travel costs; however, do not let cost prevent you from applying. Many camps and experiences have scholarship opportunities or certain foundations have funds set aside to help with cost. Reach out to your one of your Cook Children's staff members with any questions and we and we can help provide guidance and suggest resources.

Camp Koru - https://www.projectkoru.org/camp-koru

Camp Koru is a camp to help cancer survivors diagnosed between ages 18 and 39 to find healing and renewal throughout outdoor experiences in the ocean (Hawaii) and mountains (Oregon). Camp is free but travel covered by participant. Fundraising tips are available on the website. Apply online.

COVID protocols: Require proof of vaccination for staff and attendees. Proof of negative PCR with 72 hours of arrival. Limited to 10 people per group. Masking indoors and during transportation.
Dates: TBD

Send It – www.senditfoundation.org

Send It provides outdoor adventures for young adult cancer patients and survivors (ages 21-40) by removing them from their cancer experience and creating the space to play, connect, and have fun in the outdoors. Send It programs are multi-day adventures in sunny California, specifically Lake Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay Area. These adventures are designed around activities such as mountain biking, skiing, surfing, climbing and backpacking; creating a vital community through shared experience. Experience is free for participants. Apply online.

COVID protocols: Require full vaccination for staff and attendees (including booster). Must provide negative PCR test prior to arrival. Rapid testing will be required on arrival.
Dates:
- Northern California surfing
  - May 15-21, 2022
  - June 12-18, 2022
- Backpack the Sierras
  - August 6-12, 2022
  - August 13-19, 2022
- Climb and paddle Lake Tahoe
  - September 11-16, 2022

Camp Mak-A-Dream – www.campdream.org

Camp Mak-A-Dream provides medically-supervised, cost-free Montana experiences, in an intimate community setting, in-person for young adults (ages 18-35) affected by cancer. Some retreats also available for family and caregivers. Apply online.

COVID protocols: Vaccines are not required by staff or attendees. Currently requiring some masking, daily screens, physical distancing, and smaller maximum capacity. Can find up to date information under "need to know" on the application page.
Dates:
- Young adult conference
  - June 7-12, 2022
  - Cook Children's will pay for travel costs and a dedicated staff member will take a group of 5-10 AYAs

Teen camp
- August 3-8, 2022
Family camp
- August 11-14, 2022
- AYA (age 18-35), parents and siblings

First Descents – www.firstdescents.org

First Descent provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults (age 18-45) impacted by cancer. First Descents offers a multitude of cost-free adventure programs for young adults both on and off treatment. Experiences are designed to empower you to climb, paddle and surf beyond your diagnosis, reclaim your life and connect with others doing the same. Please visit the First Descents website to find a program fit for you. Camp is free. Travel covered by participant-scholarships is available. Adventures also available for caregivers.

COVID protocols: Require vaccines for all staff and attendees (if medically exempt must have negative testing prior and during camp). Group size 10-15.
Dates: Multiple dates throughout the year (see website)
- Surfing
  - North Carolina: May 1-13, 2022
  - Santa Cruz, CA: September 3-25, 2022
- Kayaking
  - Smoky Mountains: May 15-27, 2022
  - Hood River, OR: May 29-June 10, 2022
  - Missoula, MT: June 13-18, 2022
  - Buena Vista, CO: July 10-29, 2022
  - Rogue River, OR: July 31-August 12, 2022
- Rock climbing
  - Adirondacks: June 19-July 1, 2022
  - Estes Park, CO: August 15-27, 2022
  - Moab, UT: October 2-14, 2022

Big Sky Kids – www.eaglemount.org/programs/summer/big-sky-kids

Big Sky Kids oncology camps are designed for young people with cancer and their families. Big Sky Kids offers a Young Adult Retreat (YAR) designed for young adults ages 18-26 who are in remission. For a full week, you'll be immersed in adventurous outdoor activities, the camaraderie of a small group, and the opportunity to develop the unique and powerful leadership skills within yourself. YAR is a travelling camp with an itinerary that changes from year to year, so veteran campers get to see many different aspects of Montana's beauty. The retreat is medically supervised by a volunteer nurse and the only cost is transportation to and from Bozeman.

COVID protocols: No vaccination requirements for staff or attendees. Campers pledge to wear a mask if unvaccinated.
Dates:
- Summer retreat
  - August 4-12, 2022
- Winter retreat
  - TBD

True North Treks – http://www.truenorthtreks.org/

True North Treks is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting young adult cancer survivors in the transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor. The program offers wilderness experiences during which you will learn outdoor skills as well as mindfulness meditation. True North Treks requires that you must have been diagnosed with cancer between ages 18 to 39 and that you are currently off treatment. Apply online.

COVID protocols: Require full vaccination for staff and attendees (including boosters). Distancing indoors, mask use, lodging in individual tents or rooms, negative test required prior to trip.
Dates:
- Michigan Upper Peninsula
  - Sept 8-11, 2022
  - Sept 15-18, 2022
- Yellowstone backpacking
  - Aug 21-27, 2022
- Green River Utah canoeing trek
  - Sept 25-Oct 1, 2022

Epic Experience – www.epicexperience.org

Epic Experience offers free week-long outdoor experience to individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer and completed treatment. Throughout the experience, participants will be encouraged to recognize the reality that cancer is a part of their story, but it does not define them. Connections with other individuals who share a similar story create a community that lasts long after their Epic Experience has ended. Available for ages 18 and up. They also offer virtual exercise programs and online workshops.

COVID protocols: Require full vaccination of attendees.
Dates: Multiple dates and locations

Next Step – www.nextstepnet.org

NextStep is hosting Face2Face, a virtual Summer Campference for young cancer survivors, ages 16-24.

Part camp, part conference, this FREE 4-day program fosters friendships and community with peers who "get it." You can: engage in educational workshops, recharge with new friends, join the music and art mayhem, create fun, life-changing moments and empower yourself with information and resources.

Dates:
- June 23-26, 2022

The Cassie Hines Shoes Cancer Foundation

Offers travel assistance and funding to campers; however, all travel assistance funding is based on a first come, first serve basis with preference given to first time campers.

Details here

Scholarships and assistance

Please note that some camps/programs also offer individual scholarships to assist with either camp costs or transportation. Please call the programs directly for further details.

Cook Children's Medical Center may be able to assist in paying travel expenses to and from camp if you are currently on treatment or have been off treatment for up to 2 years.

We're here to help!

Please see individual websites to receive updates and to complete camp applications. If you would like assistance choosing the right program for you, speak with your Child Life Specialist about these great options. For additional information, contact the AYA Team at ayaprogram@cookchildrens.org.