What is Camp Reach for the Sky?

A summer camping experience for cancer patients & their siblings ages 4-18. Camp is free of charge to San Diego & Imperial County residents!

Day Camp

Our Day Camp offers a weeklong daytime getaway for kids ages 4-8 who have or have had cancer, siblings of those cancer patients (including those bereaved), and children of parents who are in active treatment, in remission, or have passed from cancer.

Resident Oncology Camp

ROC is an all-out camping adventure for ages 8 to 17 who have or have had cancer. It‘s a place where kids can shed the label of “cancer patient” and enjoy a fun-filled week surrounded by lifelong friends who understand where they’re coming from.

Adolescent / Young Adult Weekend

Specifically designed for teenagers and young adults impacted by cancer, AYA provides a supportive, safe environment where participants can be themselves, free from the everyday pressures of cancer, as well as emotional trauma that the AYA population often faces.

Family Camp

Family Camp’s primary focus will remain on the children within these families. The main objective of this camping session is to give the kids the opportunity to casually meet other kids who also have a parent diagnosed with cancer.

Family Camp RyanStrong

Family Camp RyanStrong is a special camp for families dealing with the loss of a sibling or parent due to cancer. It focuses on the emotional needs of children and families where kids can casually meet others facing similar challenges and where family members can find support for their struggles.

Sibling Camp

Sibling Camp sessions are specifically designed for the brothers and sisters of children with cancer. Kids ages 8 to 17 will gather at a beautiful campground in the woods of Julian, CA for a weeklong overnight camping adventure.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for Oncology And Kids' year-round programs, including Camp Reach for the Sky, applicants must…

  • Have a qualifying medical diagnosis (please see below), be the sibling of a medically qualifying camper, or be the child of a medically qualifying camper.

    • Cancer

    • Sickle Cell Anemia

    • Aplastic Anemia

    • Thalassemia

    • Other congenital blood disorders requiring frequent medical treatments

    • Chronic blood disorders requiring chronic transfusions

    • Blood condition treated by transplantation

  • Be under the age of 18 for Resident Oncology Camp and Sibling Camp.

  • Be under the age of 10 for Day Camp.

  • Be under the age of 25 for Adolescent Young Adult/Teen Weekend

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Can my child attend Camp?

    • Camp Reach for the Sky is open to children who meet one or more of the following criteria:
      Has or has had cancer before the age of 18
      Is under the age of 18 and has a sibling with a cancer diagnosis
      Is under the age of 18 and has a parent with a cancer diagnosis

  • Which camp session should I enroll my child in?

    • DAY CAMP: For patients and their siblings (ages 4-7). Patients and siblings can attend the camp, separately or together, depending on age. A sibling can attend Day Camp even if the patient is out of the age range to attend.

    • RESIDENT ONCOLOGY CAMP: For patients ONLY (ages 8-17). Siblings of patients can not attend Resident Camp, however they can attend Sibling Camp or Day Camp (depending on age).

    • SIBLING CAMP: For siblings of cancer patients ONLY (ages 8-17). Patients can not attend Sibling Camp, however, they can attend Resident Oncology Camp or Day Camp (depending on age).

    • FAMILY CAMP: For families who have a child under the age of 25 and have a parent on treatment for a cancer diagnosis or recently in remission.

    • FAMILY CAMP RYANSTRONG (bereavement session): For families who have a child under the age of 25 and have lost a parent or child to a cancer diagnosis.

      *PLEASE NOTE: CAMPERS CAN ONLY BE ENROLLED IN ONE WEEKLONG SUMMER CAMP SESSION. Once younger kids move on from Day Camp to an overnight camp, they can not return to attending Day Camp.

  • How much does Camp cost?

    • We at Oncology And Kids understand what a tremendous financial strain cancer can put on a family. As a result, Camp Reach for the Sky programs are free to all campers and their immediate family members. If you would like to make a contribution to Camp Reach for the Sky to ensure that these programs remain free, please visit the For Donors section of our website.

  • Can I donate to Camp Reach for the Sky?

    • Yes! Please visit the Donors section of our website to learn more about the different ways to give.

  • Will my child receive medical supervision at Camp?

    • While our goal is to give your child a fun-filled week to remember forever, we are also committed to meeting all of your child’s medical needs. This is possible by the camp’s “Med Shed,” a complete clinic in the wilderness! The Med Shed is fully staffed at all times with dedicated physicians and nurses, the majority of whom come from the very hospitals where the children receive care when not at camp.

    • The medical staff is equipped to handle everything from bug bites to chemotherapy and IV antibiotics (adults handle their own meds at family camps). Medically speaking, the only difference between the hospital and camp is that at camp doctors and nurses trade in their white lab coats and scrubs for shorts and t-shirts!

  • It is important to note that approval from your child’s physician is required to attend camp for both patients and siblings. In many cases, a child’s doctor will rearrange a treatment schedule so that the child feels his or her best for the week of camp.