FAQs

The best part of camp is the people you meet! Participants come from all over the United States and Canada. There are typically 35 – 40 campers per session. Our camps for cancer survivors serve campers who are in remission or in active treatment. Our camps for siblings serve campers who have a parent or sibling who has cancer or is in remission or has passed away from cancer. Our family camp is for families with a child under 18 years old who is either in remission or active treatment.

“They all have similar experiences and with that comes a great sense of understanding and community. We all instantly clicked and just were able to get along so well and talk about things we can’t always talk about at home.” ~ Teen Siblings Camper 

“I was able to learn that you aren’t alone; which is a great feeling when you feel like you’re always the odd one out in your own town, but camp made me feel normal.” ~ Teen Camper 

Absolutely! We engage with your medical team before the camp session to ensure we can best support your health and safety. Learn more about safety and medical care here.

Most of our campers fly to Missoula. We pick everyone up at the airport and transport them to and from camp. We do have travel scholarships available to help ensure the cost of tickets isn’t prohibitive.

You can also drive and drop your camper off at Camp.

Learn more about travel and travel scholarships here!

Each session we have a team of medical volunteers to ensure everyone is cared for. Check out our Safety and Medical section for more info!

Our first priority at Camp Māk-A-Dream is the safety and well-being of each camper.

A Camp Director and additional year-round staff are present at all Camp sessions.

We hire a summer staff of 15 young adults to help care for campers and lead programs. Learn more about how we screen and train our staff here. Staff are available 24 hours a day to offer encouragement, supervision, and support. The staff’s role is to provide a safe and comfortable setting in which campers can make the most of their time here.

Each camp week also has 10 – 20 volunteers to assist in camper care. People from all walks of life join us — including teachers, retirees, counselors, social workers, students, nurses, homemakers and doctors. Find out more about how we screen and train our volunteers here.

Campers will call home when they arrive at camp on the first day. Campers check their phones into the office for the week. They are able to call home, but we generally promote using this time to disconnect and “unplug.”

We will post photo updates on Camp’s Facebook and Instagram!

Our Camp Director is available for questions and calls/texts 24/7 during the Camp week: 406-544-4299

Camp Māk-A-Dream is located outside a small ranching community at the foot of the Flint Mountains. Although we are nestled in the hills amid incredible Montana scenery, it is not a rustic camp. We have beautiful modern cabins, an art studio, health center, and lodge.

In addition, there is a swimming pool, archery range, climbing wall, sports fields, and a zip line. Camp Māk-A-Dream is a smoke-free facility. Check out more activity options here!

Participants stay in one of four large cabins, each of which sleeps 14-20 people comfortably, in two community sleeping rooms. Each cabin has a common area with a fireplace and kitchenette, and each sleeping room has a handicap-accessible bathroom (with two stalls and two showers). Summer staff and cabin volunteers also sleep in the cabins during our summer programs to make sure that participants have what they need throughout their stay. Like all of our facilities, the cabins are fully accessible and convenient for campers of all abilities.

Meals are provided in the Main Lodge at large, round tables in a community atmosphere. Food is abundant, nutritious and served buffet style. Snacks are also available in the cabins. For those who require vegetarian or other dietary alternatives, we ask you to outline those needs on your registration form and we will do our best to accommodate.

We love fun activities at Camp! Swimming, ropes course, climbing wall, zip line, field games, horseback riding, and archery are some of the activities offered. Campers also enjoy spending time in the art studio working on projects ranging from tie-dye to pottery to jewelry making. During the evening we plan special events such as pool parties and dances designed to enhance community and friendship. Check out our activities page for more info!

We have a Cabin Chat each day, which is a time set aside for campers to talk and share in a safe and supportive environment. During these chats, participants have the opportunity (if they choose) to share their feelings, thoughts and experiences about how having cancer or having a family member with cancer has affected their lives.

But Camp isn’t all sitting and talking about cancer… Camp is a place for campers to try new things, build friendships, and have plenty of fun!

Camp programs are free to all participants.

Participants are responsible for transportation costs to and from Missoula. Travel assistance is available if needed.

Summer program camper applications open February 1st, 2024. Apply online today! All applications are reviewed by our selection committee to determine the applicant’s eligibility. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis with consideration given to the applicant’s current stage of therapy and whether or not the applicant has previously attended Camp.