Reasons to Support
Every child deserves the chance to laugh, play, make friends, and feel like a kid – especially when they are facing cancer or serious illness. For more than 40 years, Campfire Circle has brought healing through happiness to children and families across Ontario through year-round, camp-inspired programs in paediatric hospitals and at medically supported overnight camps.
When you support Campfire Circle, you help children with serious illness build confidence, resilience, friendships, and lifelong memories – at no cost to their families.
Why Give to Campfire Circle?
1. We help kids with serious illness be kids again.
A serious illness diagnosis can interrupt childhood in every way – from school and friendships to play, independence, and family routines. Campfire Circle creates joyful, play-based experiences that help children rediscover confidence, connection, and a sense of normalcy.
2. Our programs are always free for families.
Families caring for a child with cancer or serious illness often face emotional, practical, and financial strain. Thanks to generous donors, Campfire Circle programs are offered at no cost, helping remove barriers so children, siblings, and caregivers can access the support they need.
3. We meet children wherever they are in their medical journey.
Campfire Circle supports children in hospitals, in local communities, and at our two medically supported overnight camps in Muskoka and Waterford. Whether a child is newly diagnosed, on active treatment, in remission, receiving palliative care, or living with the lasting impact of serious illness, our programs are designed to meet them with care, creativity, and joy.
4. We are trusted by leading paediatric health care partners.
Campfire Circle partners with leading children’s hospitals and health care centres across Ontario, including SickKids, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Credit Valley Hospital, Southlake Regional Health Centre, and other satellite centres. These partnerships help bring camp-inspired programs to children receiving care across the province.
5. We provide medically supported camp experiences that are truly unique.
Our overnight camps are designed for children with complex medical needs. At our Muskoka site, children can receive IV chemotherapy and blood transfusions while at camp, making it possible for even medically fragile campers to experience the joy, freedom, and friendship of overnight camp.
6. We support the whole family.
Serious illness affects more than the child who receives the diagnosis. Campfire Circle offers programs for campers, siblings, caregivers, bereaved families, and alumni, helping families find connection, respite, and community through some of life’s hardest moments.
7. Our impact is measurable.
Campfire Circle uses research and evaluation to understand how our programs contribute to resilience, social connection, and well-being. A study with Trent University found that the camp experience was associated with higher levels of hope, resilience, and mental well-being, and lower levels of stress for children with cancer.
8. The need is urgent and growing.
There are more than 40,000 children impacted by serious illness in Ontario. Many are missing out on the social, emotional, and developmental experiences that help children thrive. Campfire Circle is expanding to provide more equitable access to the psychosocial support children and families need.
9. We have a bold vision to reach more children.
By 2030, Campfire Circle’s goal is to grow from serving 3,000 to 10,000 children each year by expanding year-round hospital programming, serving more illness groups, and increasing capacity at our medically supported overnight camps.
10. Donors can give with confidence.
Campfire Circle is accredited by Imagine Canada and the Ontario Camping Association, reflecting our commitment to accountability, transparency, safety, and program quality. Every gift helps bring healing through happiness to children with serious illness and their families.
Your Support Makes Healing Through Happiness Possible
As a donor-supported charity, Campfire Circle relies on the generosity of individuals, families, foundations, corporations, and community partners. Your support helps children with cancer or serious illness experience joy, build resilience, develop lifelong friendships, and feel less alone.
Together, we can create a world where children thrive and families heal.