Let your summer shine!
Kids Cancer Care offers summer camps for children of all ages affected by cancer, including children who have had a parent with cancer. Please scroll through the programs below to choose a camp that is right for your child or children.
SunRise (ages 3 to 7)
A fun-filled day-camp where kids can play, explore and discover with other children affected by childhood cancer!
DATES Calgary Week 1 July 22 to 26, 2024 Calgary Week 2 July 29 to August 2, 2024 Edmonton Week 1 TBD SunRise is a day camp held at recreational centres in Calgary and Edmonton for children affected by childhood cancer. This unique experience for children ages three to seven includes field trips, arts and crafts and visits with clowns, firefighters, magicians and other exciting folk. SunRise gives kids a chance to connect with other kids their age, while experiencing loads of summer fun. We require all able kids to be potty trained before attending day camp. Exceptions apply to children on treatment or with physical or cognitive delays.
SunMaker/SunHaven (ages 7 to 14)
SunMaker and SunHaven camps offer youth an exciting one-week sleepover camp experience at Camp Kindle!
DATES Week 1 July 1 to July 5, 2024 Week 2 July 15 to July 19, 2024 Week 3 August 5 to August 9, 2024 Week 4 August 12 to August 16, 2024 SunMaker campers (children affected by childhood cancer) and SunHaven campers (children affected by a parent’s cancer) have the chance to go to Camp Kindle together and enjoy opportunities to foster new friendships and support from children experiencing cancer from different perspectives. Sharing experiences and building memories together, these campers can learn and grow together as they battle cancer from their unique positions.
Our SunMaker and SunHaven camps offer youth ages seven to 14 a one-week sleepover camp experience. With focused oncology nursing staff and medical volunteers rounding out our camp team, campers have a safe and supportive environment where they can just be kids! SunMaker and SunHaven campers experience all that Camp Kindle has to offer — swimming, ropes courses, arts and crafts, climbing wall, games, campfires and so much more! Campers also have a chance to delve deeper into a skill area of their choice. SunMaker and SunHaven help campers build a sense of community and belonging as staff guide them in fostering friendships and developing their skills and self-confidence.
SunChaser (ages 15 & 16)
This leadership program is designed to develop and challenge youth through on-site camp experiences at Camp Kindle.
DATES Week 1 July 1 to 5, 2024 Week 2 July 15 to 19, 2024 This leadership program is designed to develop and challenge youth through on-site camp experiences at Camp Kindle. SunChaser is open to campers who have completed our SunMaker or SunHaven programs.
SunChaser is designed for youth who have finished our Camp Kindle programs, but still wish to be involved in the hustle and bustle of camp. Campers develop skills in teamwork, communication, and leadership, while enjoying the magic of camp and a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. Teens on active or maintenance treatment are welcome in this leadership program
SunSeeker (ages 15 & 16)
This leadership program is designed to develop and challenge youth through outdoor experiences.
SunSeeker 1 – age 15
DATES Week 1 July 1 to 5, 2024 Week 2 July 15 to 19, 2024 SunSeeker 1 is open to campers who have completed either our SunMaker or SunHaven program and offers youth the opportunity to spread their wings and explore personal development in the great outdoors. Based out of our SunSeeker Lodge at Camp Kindle, campers cook their own meals and learn outdoor survival skills such as fire starting. They also spend time developing their teamwork and communication skills before heading off on further adventures off-site! While camping off-site, youth enjoy excursions such as hiking, canoeing and horseback riding. Teens on active or maintenance treatment are welcome in this program.
SunSeeker 2 – age 16
DATES 2-week program August 5 to 16, 2024 Youth in SunSeeker 2 continue to hone the skills they developed in SunSeeker 1 with more extensive out-trips, including multi-day canoeing and camping trips, as well as geo-caching and kayaking adventures. Based out of our SunSeeker Lodge at Camp Kindle, participants cook their own meals and actively participate in the planning of their adventures. Due to the sometimes remote activities, we are unable to accept campers on active treatment in this program.
Leadership Development Program (age 17)
This program is the culmination of our leadership experiences and is developed for youth who have completed our SunSeeker or SunChaser programs.
DATES Week 1 August 5 to 16, 2024 Our Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a two-week camp experience and the culmination of all our camp leadership programs. Developed for youth who have completed our SunSeeker or SunChaser programs, the LDP program offers young leaders an opportunity to take part in a series of progressive workshops focused on building leadership skills for camp and the larger world. Teens play a role in the execution of camp activities, such as theme days and morning activities. Participants are placed with groups of younger campers for supervised practice in leading and assisting campers. An off-site excursion and camp legacy project round out this final exciting year of camp.
IMPORTANT: Because of the nature and popularity of this program, interviews will be conducted to secure spots in this program.
Leadership Development is a two-week program.
Leadership Exchange (ages 16 to 17)
Participate in our Leadership Exchange program with Camp Ooch!
DATES Not available in 2024 Kids Cancer Care accepts applications from young leaders between the ages of 16 and 17 who are interested in participating in our Leadership Exchange program with Camp Oochigeas in Muskoka, Ontario.
Each year, there are two spots open in this exchange program, which is offered free of charge through generous donor support at Camp Ooch. Kids Cancer Care provides return airfare to the successful candidates. The selected teens are required to pre-register with Camp Ooch similar to registering for Kids Cancer Care summer camps. During the exchange program, candidates have the opportunity to attend a two-week Leader-in-Training program. Upon arriving in Toronto, the teens will be under the care and supervision of Camp Oochigeas staff.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, teens must:
- Be 16 to 17 years of age
- Have or have had cancer
- Be a member of our Teen Leadership Program – or have participated in SunSeeker or our Leadership Development Program
Camp Kindle is an accredited oncology camp
Kids Cancer Care is committed to operating Camp Kindle with the best practices in the oncology camping field. We are the only Alberta cancer camp that is accredited by the following accrediting bodies:
The standards of excellence prescribed by these organizations are the standard operating protocols used at Camp Kindle for our oncology programs and our Camp Kindle rental programs. Look for the following camp accreditation logos to ensure the camp facilities and programs are operating with best practice for health and safety.
Medical care
Our programs are guided by a medical advisory committee, led by a pediatric oncologist. This committee is made up of physicians, nurses and other health care professionals in pediatric oncology.
Camp Kindle is equipped with a modern medical centre, where campers receive specialized care, daily medications or other routine medical procedures. There are two private rooms in the clinic to provide privacy for kids requiring treatment or respite. Located just outside Water Valley, Alberta, Camp Kindle is a 75-minute drive from the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary.
Program Priority System
Kids Cancer Care strives to accommodate all registered families in the programs they choose; however, when space is limited we employ a priority system, which gives priority to children and families who are recently diagnosed, recently bereaved or who have never before attended the program. Thank you for understanding.
You are Welcome Here: Diversity and Inclusion
Kids Cancer Care is a place of belonging and acceptance for children affected by cancer and their families. We welcome all Alberta children and families affected by cancer — regardless of differences in physical or mental ability, gender identity or sexual orientation, cultural or religious beliefs, or ethnic origins. We realize that what makes us unique makes us remarkable. We make every effort to accommodate all requests from Kids Cancer Care families and strive to ensure that each child feels safe, comfortable, and supported regardless of differences. To learn more about our equity, diversity and inclusion practices or to make a request for accommodation, please CLICK HERE.
