Teen Camp
Who: Children ages 13-17
When: July 24-29, 2011
Where: Cathedral Pines
Youth Camp
Who: Children ages 6-12
When: July 31-Aug 5, 2011
Where: Cathedral Pines
The Camp Rainbow Gold oncology camp hosts 85 children each August at Cathedral Pines in Ketchum, Idaho, for a week of discovery and outdoor fun. Swimming. Sharing. Singing. Hiking. Playing. Fishing. Horseback riding. Dancing. Storytelling. Laughing. Painting. Biking. Memory making. Creating. Dreaming. Living.
Administered by the American Cancer Society and established in 1984, Camp Rainbow Gold is one of the nation's first children's oncology camps.
The generosity of many Idaho residents and major fundraising events orchestrated by 220 volunteers brings Camp Rainbow Gold to life and makes this unique camp available without cost to campers and their families.
A full medical staff and a licensed social worker keep a careful and nurturing watch over the medical and emotional needs of every camper. Highly trained camp staff and volunteers aim to provide a fun, safe and caring community for the children.
Children meet other children undergoing similar experiences who can share a bond only found here. Most campers return year after year, building on old friendships, adding new ones and eagerly welcoming first-time campers into the Camp Rainbow Gold family.
As the campers get older, they still want to come back. And they can. The Junior Counselor program brings them back to the camp to mentor their young friends.
Download the Camp Rainbow Gold Oncology Camp application (PDF). Sign up early, as the camp reaches capacity quickly each year.
E-mail camp.rainbowgold@cancer.org for more information.
The last night of camp, each camper attaches three pen-sketched wishes to a pinecone. Some wish for a puppy. Others want their hair to grow back by prom. Chances are, they all hope for one more worry-free day.
One by one, they put their pinecones into the campfire and watch the smoke carry their dreams to the sky.
Does it work? Ask Chris. "Camp Rainbow Gold is where your dreams can always come true."
