Updates

Welcome to Campfire Circle...

Mar 27, 2023

This month, we hosted March Break day camps in both Toronto and Ottawa. Fifty-five kids aged 4-14 joined us on campus for the Campfire Circle School of Magic. It was a full week of Hogwarts-style witchcraft and wizardry – we created our own magic wands, learned various potions and competed in a dragon egg drop […]...Learn More

camper and volunteer in harry potter costumes

Q&A with Bryn Harvey-Raymond:...

Mar 15, 2023

Are you curious about volunteering with Campfire Circle? Do you wonder if it’s the right opportunity for you? We sat down with Bryn, a volunteer with Campfire for five years. We hope her story inspires you. CC: How did you first hear about Campfire Circle? BHR: My involvement with camp began when I was young. […]...Learn More

volunteer in safety gear on the high ropes course

A True Champion: Mary...

Mar 08, 2023

40 years ago, Mary Pat Armstrong and a small group of volunteers had a spark of inspiration: What can we do to create a magical experience for kids with cancer? The answer was loud and clear: Camp! Mary Pat had a child with cancer, and she knew the importance of seeking moments of happiness for […]...Learn More

man and woman on rooftop with sunset and water in background

Building Confidence: The Lasting...

Feb 14, 2023

In the fall, Campfire Circle held a weekend gathering at our Muskoka site where we welcomed adolescents and young adults (AYA) for a weekend filled with adventure and fun, and opportunities to learn and connect with other adults who had childhood cancer. Many of the participants were camper alumni – former young campers who were […]...Learn More

group of campers at adventure course at campfire circle muskoka

The Benefits of Corporate...

Jan 26, 2023

You’ve registered to participate in the Sporting Life 10K, and in the next four months, you’ve set a goal to complete your first race or set a personal best. Why not also take the time to raise funds for Campfire Circle – and even build a corporate team! Why Fundraise? Fundraising in of itself has […]...Learn More

volkswagen corporate team photo

Campfire Circle Welcomes Andrew...

Jan 17, 2023

Campfire Circle is honoured to welcome Andrew Guizzetti to our Board of Directors. A community builder and philanthropist, Andrew is a co-founding member of Empire Communities. Founded in 1993, Empire Communities has grown to be one of North America’s largest homebuilders of homes and condominiums and has been the recipient of over 100 domestic and […]...Learn More

picture of Andrew

Thank you Donors!

Jan 13, 2023

Happy New Year! As we start into 2023, we want to take a moment to thank you for all of your support of Campfire Circle over the past year. In 2022, we welcomed hundreds of kids and families affected by childhood cancer back to our transformational overnight camps at Campfire Circle Muskoka and Rainbow Lake. […]...Learn More

family sitting on picnic bench at camp program

Artists in Training Week

Dec 20, 2022

It was Artists in Training Week at the Children’s Hospital here at London Health Sciences Centre. We want to share some wonderful work with you. We started the week with canvas painting. A seven-year-old patient remarked this was the best day! He taught one of our in-hospital program specialists how to paint this wonderful painting. […]...Learn More

artwork

Meet Alexandra

Dec 15, 2022

Alexandra’s life dramatically changed the summer she finished her first year of university. She had been in pain for months. Arriving home to a pre-booked family vacation, she experienced a whirl-wind of medical appointments, tests and referrals but no answers. Thankfully, her dentist saw an issue on her x-rays, advised her that part of her […]...Learn More

picture of camper

Double the Impact this...

Dec 02, 2022

Overcapacity continues to affect pediatric hospitals across Ontario. With limited respite for kids and families with cancer or serious illness living in hospital, the demand for interactive bedside programming has never been greater. Coined as the “social cure,” Campfire Circle programs bring back joy and laughter through one-on-one experiences and camp-themed activities that improve kids’ […]...Learn More

Campfire Circle Gifts of Magic 2x Matched!

Giving Tuesday Campaign Launches...

Nov 24, 2022

Across Ontario, hospitals are grappling with the triple threat of influenza, COVID-19 and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In response, Campfire Circle is launching our Giving Tuesday campaign to focus on our in-hospital bedside programs—with every donation made on and before November 29 triple matched by the Ever Hopeful Fund up to $100,000. As pediatric […]...Learn More

Support for Every Family...

Nov 22, 2022

Oscar was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at two-and-a-half years old. It was on the treatment floor that we met him, his brother Liam and his mother Heather, for the first time. “Oscar was big into superheroes back then,” recalls Heather. “Two Campfire Circle team members dressed up as superheroes and it cheered him right […]...Learn More

Campers enjoying camp outside

Bonfire Bash City Edition...

Nov 14, 2022

Campfire Circle hosted its first Bonfire Bash City Edition on a balmy Tuesday November evening. Presented by Rogers Communications Inc. and Mantella Corporation, the event gathered more than 200 guests at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery District, uniting new and loyal Campfire Circle champions. The night began with a red carpet entry, greeted by […]...Learn More

attendees at an event

Photos, Stories and Moments...

Oct 06, 2022

It’s hard to express in words what reco­­nnecting in person, at camp, meant for our kids, families, staff and volunteers. The energy, the laughter, the tears of joy…it was nothing short of a miraculous reunion for everyone involved. All of this was only possible because of amazing people like you. We literally could not do […]...Learn More

staff members posing for photo with volunteer outside cabin at camp

You are all part...

Oct 01, 2022

Emy, our oldest, went to sibling camp for the first time this year and she had a blast! Emy is the kind of kid where you send her upstairs with a fresh pair of socks to put on before we leave, and she’ll come down in a random costume and carrying a book—and not wearing […]...Learn More

campers together in the lake at camp with pool noodles

Lillian went to camp...

Sep 28, 2022

I very earnestly packed pre-addressed and stamped envelopes in Lillian’s bag so she could write home. But I didn’t expect any calls, emails or letters. In fact, when I unpacked her bag, they had been shoved to the bottom under all the laundry—and it made me so happy! Lillian just loved camp, and came back […]...Learn More

staff member and camper sitting at the waterfront at camp

Your messages to campers

Sep 25, 2022

Here are a just a few of the delightful messages we received from donors like you sending wishes to our campers. Thank you so much for being part of this story!    ...Learn More

Get LIT: discover our...

Sep 21, 2022

We’re more than summer camp. Campfire Circle offers various community leadership programs and wilderness camping trips for teen Campers ages 14 -18 throughout the year. Through workshops, discussions and experiential learning, we help young adults challenge themselves, build resiliency and develop new skills. Veruca is a Camper who participated in our virtual leadership-in-training (LIT) programs […]...Learn More

R2//NYC returns with more...

Sep 19, 2022

This September marked the return of R2//NYC – a five-day, 850-km cycling journey from Toronto to New York City to raise funds for Campfire Circle’s year-round programming in children’s hospitals, community events and overnight camps. After a two-year hiatus, 38 riders departed from our HQ on a bright, sunny Wednesday morning and arrived in Times […]...Learn More

Cyclists to Ride 850...

Sep 14, 2022

On Wednesday, September 14, and during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, 38 cyclists will depart Toronto and embark on a five-day, 850-km journey through Ontario, New York State and Pennsylvania before arriving in New York City on September 18. In addition to this amazing endurance feat, the R2//NYC riders are raising much-needed funds for Campfire Circle […]...Learn More

Cyclists embark on five-day journey to NYC

September is Childhood Cancer...

Sep 13, 2022

Nearly 1,000 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer in Canada every year. Cancer treatment can take a toll – physically and emotionally – both for the child and the child’s immediate family. This is why Campfire Circle provides kids and families affected by childhood cancer in Ontario with year-round social supports, […]...Learn More

Marcus’ story

Sep 07, 2022

When I share Marcus’s story, I can still feel his soul… Marcus was just shy of his 14th birthday when he was diagnosed with cancer. In that first year he had 5 surgeries, including having most of his pelvis removed. He was also an athlete, and he kept up with his swimming throughout his gruelling […]...Learn More

camper outside at camp, smiling at archery

Countdown to camp!

Jul 01, 2022

Gather Round This Summer at Overnight Camp! In just two weeks, children and families affected by childhood cancer are coming to overnight camp at Campfire Circle Muskoka and Rainbow Lake! After two long years of pandemic disruption, we’re thrilled to welcome them back in-person, as we know camp is needed now more than ever. We’re […]...Learn More

Alex speaking to the camera with trees in the background

An Enduring Partnership with...

Jun 29, 2022

The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs of Ontario are one of Campfire Circle’s (formerly Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium) closest community partners, with a long and vibrant history of supporting Camp Trillium.  We’re grateful for their ongoing support and the incredible impact they’ve had on thousands of kids and families affected by childhood cancer.  This is […]...Learn More

bell tower at CAMPFIRE CIRCLE rainbow lake

Media Release

May 26, 2022

$150,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant supports Campfire Circle’s COVID-safe hybrid programming in 2021-22 CAMPFIRE CIRCLE (formerly Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium) is rebuilding and recovering from the impact of COVID-19 with help from a $150,000 grant from the Government of Ontario delivered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and its Resilient Communities Fund grant. OTF’s […]...Learn More

campers on adventure course at camp wearing protective helmets and harnesses with trees in the background

Media Release

Apr 26, 2022

$250,000 Grant Helps CAMPFIRE CIRCLE Continue to Serve Families Affected by Childhood Cancer Rosseau, ON: Campfire Circle (formerly Camp Ooch and Camp Trillium) received a $250,000 Community Building Fund grant to help with key operating costs. The grant is from the Government of Ontario and delivered by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Thanks to these […]...Learn More

campers on adventure course at camp wearing protective helmets and harnesses with trees in the background

New name—same life-changing experiences!

Jan 01, 2022

Dear Friends, we have exciting news to share! Did you know that Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium merged in 2020? A journey began soon after to discover a new name that would signal our new future, together. We wanted our new name to place kids and families affected by childhood cancer at the heart of […]...Learn More

campers on adventure course at camp wearing protective helmets and harnesses with trees in the background

Campfire Circle is now...

Oct 29, 2021

Campfire Circle is now accredited by Imagine Canada! This trust mark acts as a golden seal for Not-For-Profit Organizations in Canada and ensures donors and supporters that we have demonstrated leadership and organizational excellence. We are proud to be accredited through this program and to be among other exceptional organizations....Learn More

National Day for Truth...

Sep 30, 2021

Our journey towards reconciliation offers us many opportunities to learn from and celebrate Indigenous culture, history and healing practices. It is a continuous journey—one that will take openness and commitment from our organization and community. CAMPFIRE CIRCLE is grateful for Indigenous communities’ stewardship of the land that we occupy, and we aspire to be deserving […]...Learn More

Truth and Reconciliation

Shirley’s Story

Sep 07, 2021

Choosing to make an impact I remember loving camp as a kid. When I first heard about Campfire Circle, I thought the idea of getting kids with cancer to camp was just terrific. I started making a monthly donation and have been giving for ages. For me, it’s an honour to be able to do […]...Learn More

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