Camp STRONG 2025 | June 9-13, 2025
Camp STRONG 2025 will be festive! Prepare for one jam-packed week of fun as we celebrate most of the year's most popular holidays at camp! Campers will be divided into "family groups" of about 10 campers their age to participate throughout the week in family group activities, mess relays, cardboard boat racing, and family group skits. Campers will also engage in morning expression groups, yearly traditions such as camp-wide games, night swim, Hopes & Dreams ceremony, and have lots of fun making friends, swimming in the pool and pond, and doing typical summer camp activities. We are looking forward to Camp STRONG 2025 and all the fun it will entail!
Where Kids Can Be Kids
The camp's mission is to provide a safe environment for children with these unique medical needs so they too can enjoy summer camp at its best. Camp is supervised by nurses, doctors and child life specialists who can provide modified camp activities and emotional support when necessary.
Although their journeys are different, the patients and siblings who attend Camp STRONG have much in common. They enjoy the camp camaraderie and getting to make friends with kids who have faced similar experiences. They also get to experience sleeping overnight in camp cabins for the week.
Saint Francis Children's Hospital partners with Shepherd's Fold Ranch in Avant, OK to provide the facilities, many of the outdoor activities and the small "family group" counselors. Saint Francis provides quality medical professionals and leadership staff to oversee all aspects of camp.
“I love camp because it’s fun and I make new friends!”
—Alba C., camper
“I love sending Alba because it gives her the opportunity to be with other kids who understand the things she has overcome. Also, I feel very comfortable sending her since staff is trained to take care of kids like Alba and I know her medicines will be given no problem!”
—Kaylah C., mom of camper
Camp Activities
Campers enjoy many outdoor activities including swimming (in a pool and a pond), archery, canoeing, hiking, water games and group bonding activities. Campers also enjoy experiencing traditional camp culture with flashlight games, tie-dye, group skits, Hopes & Dreams and a water fight with the Saint Francis oncology and cardiac doctors.
“As a staff member who sees these kids at some of their roughest moments, it's great to see them with their peers getting to be "normal kids" and enjoying typical kid experiences.”—Elizabeth DeMarco, Child Life Specialist and camp staff
Camp STRONG Registration
Registration will be available through the Shepherd’s Fold Ranch website beginning November 1. Camp STRONG has had a waiting list the last 2 years, so plan to register early! Please make sure you are registering for Camp STRONG June 9-13 and not another week of Shepherd's Fold camp. Registration includes all camp activities, lodging, meals and a Camp STRONG t-shirt. Parents are expected to bring their campers to camp on Monday afternoon and pick them up Friday afternoon. Campers must bring their own clothes, bedding, toiletries, etc and may bring additional money for the Shepherd's Fold camp store/snack bar and special outfits/items for the camp theme and special events.
Due to the generosity of Saint Francis Children's Hospital, local donors, and grants received, we will not be asking for a registration fee from camper families this year. If you or someone you know would like to contribute to the funding efforts of Camp STRONG, please contact Camp Coordinator Christina Manley directly.
Patient Sibling Eligibility
Because being the sibling of an oncology or cardiac patient comes with its own challenges, one sibling for each patient attendee is allowed to attend and experience the benefits of camp. Additional siblings may be placed on a waiting list and will be allowed if space is still available two weeks before camp starts. To add an additional sibling to the wait list, please email sibling name, gender, and date of birth to [email protected]
"Sending our boys to Camp STRONG was more magical than we could ever have imagined. They loved experiencing a true overnight camp and had the time of their lives with peers just like them."
—Natalie A., mom of two campers
Questions?
For more information, or to ask specific questions not covered here, please email our camp coordinator, Christina Manley, at [email protected].