Respite and Camp Services
Not sure what a respite or camp service is? These organizations provide one or more in a range of programs and services such as camp facilities, organized recreation for cancer patients of different ages or respite care to provide caregivers a short interval of rest.
Disclaimer: These resources are regularly reviewed to ensure that links still work correctly and the resources listed continue to be helpful to our visitors. If you find that a link isn't working or information is incorrect or if you'd like to have your own organization listed here, please email thedirectory@lls.org.
Because we want to be sure that our visitors find the most relevant resources, we've listed these organizations in order of relevancy from most specifically relevant to most generally relevant to the topic of this page.
2-1-1
Population served: Everyone in the United States (check the website for availability in your area)
2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Services vary from community to community.
Examples of service referrals include:
- Basic human need resources: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance and utility assistance
- Physical and mental health resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention
- Employment support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs
- Support for older Americans and persons with disabilities: home healthcare, adult daycare, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation and homemaker services
- Support for children, youth and families: childcare, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services
Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation
Contact: (800) 238-6479 or (717) 545-7600
Population served: Children, infancy through age 17 diagnosed with cancer, in the United States
Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation strives to touch the lives of those living with cancer with a positive, uplifting message through a variety of unique programs.
- Camp Scholarships Program provides scholarship assistance to help children to experience therapeutic riding, music, art, skiing and other types of camps and activities
American Cancer Society (ACS)
Contact: (800) 227-2345
Population served: Patients with cancer in the United States
ACS provides information about diseases, financial support, support groups, lodging and medical equipment. ACS has local chapters throughout the United States to provide assistance within the community.
- Provides camps for children currently in treatment or in remission, ages 5 to 21
- Offers camps throughout the United States, overnight and daytime sessions available
- Offers some camps which accept families and siblings
- Provides onsite oncology nurses to help with medications
- Free of charge for the child/siblings/families
Children's Wish Foundation International, Inc. (CWFI)
Contact: (800) 323-9474
Population served: Children under age 18 with a life-threatening illness, worldwide
CWFI fulfills wishes for children and unlike other wish-granting organizations, does not have a minimum age. However, if the child's health allows it, the wish fulfillment is reserved until the child is old enough to fully enjoy and remember the experience.
- Offers Wish Fulfillment Program, which provides a trip to a destination of the patient's choice and includes travel arrangements, lodging, entertainment tickets, expense money and volunteer support
- Offers the Family Focus Program, which provides a memorable evening out. CWFI offers gift cards and certificates for families to enjoy a special dinner together or a trip to a local family entertainment center, theater tickets or entrance to sporting events, a circus, etc. In addition, CWFI arranges for weekend getaways
- Offers Hospital Enrichment Program, which places educational and entertainment materials in hospitals that care for children (toys, books, electronics, dolls and children's clothing). In addition, CWFI hosts festive parties at many hospitals
- Offers Young Minds Program for children under age 3 or whose cognitive level is under age 3. This program can offer:
- TV with DVD player and DVD collection
- CD player with music collection
- Toy and doll collection
- Comfort station with rocker
- Activity assortment
Camp Kesem
Contact: (925) 212-9044
Population served: Children ages 6-13, in the United States, whose parents have or have had cancer
Camp Kesem provides a summer camp experience that gives children of cancer patients/survivors a chance to be kids.
- Offers free sessions at American Camp Association accredited camps
- Camps are located near college campuses in fourteen states
- Staffed by current college students with an advisory board of nurses, medical advisors and college graduates
American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO)
Contact: (800) 366-2223
Population served: Children with cancer, siblings and families in the United States
Its mission is to provide information and awareness for children and adolescents with cancer and their families, to advocate for their needs and to support research.
- Offers a call center
- Lists camp opportunities for children with cancer, their siblings and families
The Imus Ranch
Contact: 575-421-4687
Population served: children in the United States, 11 - 17 years of age, who have received treatment for childhood cancer or have a blood disease (cannot have a central line or port) and are able to take part in daily chores and physical activities involved in this working cattle ranch
The Imus Ranch is an authentic working cattle ranch in New Mexico, located fifty miles northeast of Santa Fe. Founded by Don Imus and Deirdre Imus in 1998, the ranch was conceived and designed with the sole purpose of providing the experience of the great American cowboy to children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer or a serious blood disorder. The ranch is available in June, July and August. Participation is free, airfare is included and participants enjoy activities over 9-day "Go Rounds".
Hole in the Wall Gang Camps
Contact: (203) 562-1203
Population served: Children and teens with life-threatening illnesses, siblings and families, worldwide
Each Hole in the Wall Camp is a separate entity with its own distinct and unique personality. They all share a common mission to build self-esteem and restore joy to children.
- Provides a free week-long camp for children
- Many camps provide weekends and events for families and siblings
- Offers locations in multiple sites in the United States
- Offers multiple sites worldwide, including Ireland, France, Israel, United Kingdom, Italy and Hungary
Children's Oncology Camp Foundation: Camp Mak-A-Dream
Contact: (406) 549-5987
Population served: Children through young adults, (ages 6-25) their siblings and women with cancer in the United States
Camp Mak-A-Dream provides a medically supervised, cost-free Montana experience in an intimate community setting.
- Provides camp sessions for kids (ages 6-14), teens (ages 15-18), siblings (ages 6-17), young adults and young adult survivors of brain tumors
- Provides a Young Adult Conference (ages 19-25), fee involved
- Provides a weekend women's cancer retreat, fee involved
First Descents
Contact: (970) 845-8400
Population served: Young adults, age 18-39, with cancer in the United States
First Descents' use whitewater kayaking and other outdoor adventure sports to promote emotional, psychological and physical healing for young adults with cancer.
- Provides free climbing/kayaking camp for young adults
- Offers five sites in Montana, California, Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming
ARCH National Respite Coalition
Target: (919) 490-5577
Population served: U.S. patients, their families and caregivers
The mission is to secure quality, accessible, planned and crisis respite services to strengthen and stabilize families and enhance child and adult safety. The Coalition works to achieve these goals by preserving and promoting respite in policy and programs at the national, state and local levels.
- Provides a Web-based tool that has a partial listing of state-by-state respite resources
Well Spouse Association
Contact: (800) 838-0879
Population served: Caregivers for partners with chronic illness and/or disability in the United States
Well Spouse Association is a peer-led organization that gives support to wives, husbands and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled. Membership is encouraged, however not required, and provides additional services in exchange for an annual fee.
- Offers respite weekends
