Charity Overview
Since 1983, Campfire Circle (formerly Camp Ooch and Camp Trillium) has provided free, medically supported camp-inspired programs for children with cancer or serious illness and their families. Programs are delivered in paediatric hospitals across Ontario, in local communities, and at overnight camps in Muskoka (Rosseau) and Rainbow Lake (Waterford).
Our programs help children experience friendship, play, belonging, confidence, and resilience during and after treatment. Our 2025 Annual Report provides a full update on programs, events, financials, and new initiatives.
STRATEGY
Vision
Campfire Circle is a world where children thrive and families heal.
Mission
We foster resilience, well-being and lifelong connections for children with serious illness and their families through camp-inspired programs.
Core Values
Care
Inclusion
Community
Integrity
Sustainability
Strategic Plan
Theory of Change
Problem Discussion: Why We Exist
Children with serious illness need more than medical treatment – they need opportunities for childhood, connection, and belonging. Across Ontario, more than 40,000 children are affected by serious illness, often experiencing hospital stays, treatment schedules, isolation, disrupted schooling, and family financial strain.
Campfire Circle helps fill this gap through free, medically supported programs that restore joy, build confidence, reduce isolation, and support psychosocial well-being.
With 43 years of experience serving children with cancer, Campfire Circle is now expanding to support more children with serious and life-impacting illnesses. A feasibility study identified significant unmet need among children with heart disease, sickle cell disease, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and complex care needs.
Quantification of Problem
More than 40,000 children in Ontario are affected by serious illness. In 2025, Campfire Circle served 6,300 campers through in-hospital, community, and overnight camp programs. In 2026, we plan to serve 7,000 children – an increase of 700, or approximately 11%.
Demand continues to exceed capacity. Families seek more medically supported overnight camp spaces than are currently available, and hospital partners have identified growing psychosocial support needs for children with serious illnesses beyond cancer.
Expanding capacity will help reduce waitlists, serve underserved diagnosis groups, and give more children free access to connection, confidence, resilience, and joy.
PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
Overview of Programs
Who We Serve
Children with cancer or serious illness and their families across Ontario.
Cost to Families
All programs are provided at no cost to families.
Program Purpose
Programs improve well-being, build confidence and resilience, reduce isolation, and help children experience friendship, play, and belonging during and after treatment.
In-Hospital Programs
Camp-inspired creative, recreational, and social programming delivered in paediatric hospitals across Ontario to children receiving care.
Community Programs
Local programs that help children and families stay connected closer to home.
Medically Supported Overnight Camps
Traditional camp experiences with clinical supports in place so children can safely participate in camp activities. Campfire Circle operates two overnight camps: Muskoka (Rosseau) and Rainbow Lake (Waterford).
Adapted Support
Programs are tailored to each child’s medical, developmental, emotional, and social needs.
Program Spending
- Overnight camp programs: $8,478,005
- In-hospital and community programs: $3,404,585
- View our 2025 Financial Highlights
- View our 2025 Audited Financial Statements
- View our CRA Charity T3010 Return
OUTPUTS
Campfire Circle has increased its reach year over year:
2025
6,300 campers served through 33,400 program experiences, including 3,837 patients in children’s hospitals and 2,808 campers at medically supported overnight camps.
2024
5,000 campers served through 27,648 program experiences, including 2,970 patients in children’s hospitals and 2,534 campers at medically supported overnight camps.
2023
3,400 campers served through 23,122 program experiences.
Future Program Goals
Campfire Circle plans to serve 7,000 campers in 2026 and reach 10,000 children annually by 2030 through:
Expanded year-round hospital programming
Reaching more children across Ontario with bedside and group programs that reduce isolation, support development, complement clinical care, and provide respite for families.
Serving more illness groups
Supporting children with cancer, serious blood disorders, sickle cell disease, heart disease, and solid organ failure, with plans to welcome more children with complex or chronic conditions.
A new medical camp in Prince Edward County
Opening in 2030, the new camp will increase overnight capacity and help ensure fewer children are turned away due to space limitations.
OUTCOMES
Independent research and evaluation show that Campfire Circle programs support children’s psychosocial well-being, confidence, connection, and resilience.
- In 2022, Campfire Circle partnered with Trent University to study the psychosocial outcomes of overnight camp for children with cancer. View overview of this study.
- In 2024, Campfire Circle and Trent University studied the impact of in-hospital programming on children undergoing treatment and their caregivers. View overview of this study.
- Independently analyzed pre- and post-camp data shows meaningful gains across key areas of camper well-being. View overview of this data.