Stories From Camp

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Kids
Teens
Young Adults
Volunteers
Staff

"Friends at home didn’t have a brother or sister with cancer, we did. And everybody here did."

47

"This camp opened my eyes to so many things I was unaware of previously. Coming into this camp I expected the kids to be more ill or needing more assistance. That stigma associated with a very sick, weak child was completely broken by the strong, independent, and entirely courageous group of children. Each one of these campers and this camp will forever hold a special place in my heart."

16

First-person view on Camp's zipline.

13

"The medical center is state of the art for this environment."

17

"The opportunity to be here, to be in the landscape, the environment of Camp … It’s just amazing, it keeps me coming back."

20

"It’s amazing how much of an impact Camp has on my life, let alone how I can impact other people — it’s hard to explain — it just feels good."

16

"If you’re looking to challenge yourself in a new way, this place will strengthen you and support you in ways you cannot imagine."

14

"I thought I was going to die, but I didn't ... I made it up to the top and it was so rewarding to be able to say, I climbed this mountain."

58

"I’ve actually found people with the same diagnosis as me ... it's really good to be around people like me."

65

Our horses are an integral part of the Camp experience.

21

"You can connect with people in a way you can’t back home."

14

"Camp was a way to get away from all the chemo treatments and be a normal kid."

14

"You can do anything you put your mind to."

12

"Besides the obvious benefit of coming to Camp to heal and share your experiences, Camp provides a much needed reality check and awareness about the life you live. It's really easy to get tunnel vision and think that you and your family have it the worst in your town, then you come to Camp and you are completely humbled. Someone always has it worse than you — usually lots do — and you have an appreciation for the things you have, whether it's a support system, parents who are not separated, food at home, or even the person in your life affected by cancer. I always walk out of Camp and feel lucky for the things I usually take for granted in my life."

26

"My name is Caroline Legg. In 2013 I was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma brain tumor. When I found out about Camp Māk-A-Dream, I was so excited to go on a plane for the first time, see Montana, and meet new people who understood my problems. Thank you to all who made this experience possible for me."

23

"Camp changed my life. There is absolutely nothing like Camp Māk-A-Dream in this world! It helped me find myself and who I want to be in the future. It helped me make lifelong friends and better understand the world around me. Without Camp and cancer my life would of never been the same and I would never want to change it for a second!"

25

"Camp Māk-A-Dream Heads Up Conference for young adults has truly changed my life and opened my eyes to what I have the potential to do, and helped me to form uniquely amazing friendships with other survivors."

22

"I live in a town where nobody understands what I've been through, other than my parents I'm alone there. When I'm at Camp, I have friends who understand everything about my past and are willing to lend a compassionate hand or a friendly high five when needed."

21