Who can attend Camp Kaleidoscope?
Camp Kaleidoscope will serve children who have lost a parent to cancer, have a parent undergoing cancer treatment, or whose parent is a cancer survivor.

What age children attend camp?
Camp Kaleidoscope will serve children ages 6 to 18.

Can siblings and grandchildren of cancer patients attend Camp Kaleidoscope?
There are over 5 million children affected by a parent’s cancer. Camp Kaleidoscope must stay true to its mission to support those 5 million children affected solely by a parent’s cancer. For a list of camps for children affected by a sibling cancer, please visit this resource.

Is Camp Kaleidoscope a camp for children who have cancer?
No, Camp Kaleidoscope is a camp for children who have been affected by a parent’s cancer. For a list of camps for children, and siblings of children with cancer, visit this resource.

Can children attend camp if their parent had an illness or disease that is not cancer?
With over 5 million children touched by a parent's cancer, Camp Kaleidoscope is not able to support the broader circle of children whose parent's have had other illnesses. For children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver (due to non-cancer illnesses) visit Camp Erin.

How long is camp?
Camp Kaleidoscope will be a week-long summer camp in the month of June.

How much does camp cost?
Our camp (as well as all other year-round programs offered by Kaleidoscope) are completely free of charge.

Where does camp take place?
Our camp location will be announced in October 2024. Our campsite will always conveniently located within about one-hour from Stanford’s campus. 

Who runs the camp?
Our camps will be staffed by highly trained college student leaders. These students will be carefully screened through a competitive interview process, and undergo extensive training prior to camp. In addition, our student leaders will work year-round to raise funds, conduct outreach in their communities, and plan the programming necessary to make camp a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Each camp will also be staffed with nursing and mental health professionals.

Can children return to Camp Kaleidoscope more than once?
Yes! Kaleidoscope campers are part of our family for life. We hope that our campers treasure the bonds they form with friends who return year after year.

Does Camp Kaleidoscope provide therapy?
No. Our student leaders will provide a warm and loving environment where children are free to share their feelings with one another. Our model will focus on providing a strong peer-based support network where children can find strength, hope, compassion and fun.

Will someone be at camp to issue my child’s medication?
Yes, a Camp Nurse will be on site at all times to issue medication, and care for any injuries or sickness.

How do I apply?
Please refer to our application page for more information.

Can children with disabilities attend camp?
Children with special circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis. Camp Kaleidoscope will make reasonable accommodations for campers with disabilities and medical conditions. If such accommodations are not available, or Camp Kaleidoscope cannot ensure the child’s or other campers’ safety, then Camp Kaleidoscope will be unable to accept the camper.

Are children required to talk about their parent's cancer?
Absolutely not. Your child will quickly become part of a loving, supportive community of other children - all of whom understand each other and respect each other. For most of our campers, we hope that being a part of this community - with other kids who are just like them - is empowering, comforting, encouraging and inspirational. Children will be given optional opportunities to share or not share anything that is on their mind in nightly "Cabin Chats" which will be held with their own cabin (and facilitated by our trained student leaders). They are also invited to participate with all campers in an Roots Ceremony - intended to honor all camper parents and their individual family's journey.

Beside the college student counselors, are there other adults at camp?
The Camp Director, Camp Nurse, and Camp Mental Health Professional, and much of the program staff will be college-graduates over 21 years old. Additionally, all of the camp counselors will be older than 18 years old and undergo a thorough application and screening process to become counselors.

How do I become a Camp Kaleidoscope counselor?
Please refer to our counselor page for more information.

I want to volunteer, can I attend camp?
While we love our volunteers, camp is only for campers, counselors and professional staff. If you would like to get involved in other ways, please contact us on our contact page.