Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times
Being diagnosed with cancer is a life-changing experience, especially for kids. Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times provides an environment outside of the hospital setting for children with cancer and their siblings to process their diagnosis
and regain their self-esteem by being surrounded by other children in similar situations.
Camp attendees also find that they can “take a break” from their illness while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of the great outdoors. It is not just an opportunity for children with cancer and their siblings to have fun, Camp is an essential part of the healing process for many of these families. It allows them to think beyond the illness they have faced together and return to normalcy as children. It restores self-esteem while teaching independence and self-reliance.
Located near the mountain community of Idyllwild in Riverside County, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times offers children with cancer and their siblings free, medically-supervised weekend and weeklong sessions filled with a variety of activities including arts and crafts, campfires, sports, swimming, hiking and horseback riding.
Campers form friendships and share common bonds and experiences with others who currently have, or have recovered from, cancer in some way in their family. Four weekends during the year are specially designed for families of children with cancer. The Family Camp sessions allow the entire family to enjoy the camp experience while receiving support and building friendships. Two additional weekend sessions for Spanish speaking families are also offered as part of the Campamento Familiar program.
Each year, an average of 1,500 campers from Southern California, throughout the nation and around the world, find good times, healing and a new sense of strength and life at Camp.
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