Resources on preparing for camp, supporting your child, outside organizations, and a ton more!

 

Preparing for Camp:

We know going away to camp for the first time can be a scary experience for both the camper(s) and the parent(s)!  Here you will find resources designed to help prepare YOU and your camper(s) to make their summer camp experience, or the entire Family's Family Camp expereince, as successful as possible.  From our Parent Handbooks, to FAQs, to driving directions, to tips on preparing your Camper, this section has it all!

  • Summer Camp Parent's Guide - The Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times Parent Guide is designed to help YOU, the parent, prepare your camper for summer.  The Handbook goes into detail about what to expect at camp, what to pack, how to prepare, etc.  
  • Family Camp Parent's Guide - The Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times Family Camp Parent's Guide is designed to help prepare your entire family for your Family Camp weekend experience. 
  • Frequently Asked Questions - Here you can access answers to questions that many parents have before sending their child(ren) to camp.
  • Health & Safety - Visit this page to see the latest health & safety requirements for our camp programs. 
  • Driving Directions - Here you can find dirving diections and the addresses for our campsite and various bus pickup locations.
  • Photos from Camp - Want to follow along with photos from camp?   You can follow along here:
  • Questions BEFORE the session on registration, buses, etc:
    • Wally Quijano | Family Relations & Recruitment Manager | [email protected]  |  323.644.3001
  • Questions about your camper DURING their session: 
    • Chad Edwards |  Camp Director |  [email protected]  |  951.659.4609 - Program Office

 

Mental Health Support:

The strain of a child diagnosed with Cancer is felt througout the entire family.  Here you will find FREE resources around mental health support for your patient, sibling(s), spouse/partner, and you.

  • Family Support Services (RMHCSC)   This is a free service for ALL families who have attended Camp or stayed at one of our Ronald McDonald Houses in Southern California.  Again, you can go on the website to find out more and to schedule a time to talk virtually or in person with a member of the FSS team.  This can be support for a parent, both parents, a child and the entire family. 

 

Outside Organizations:

There are a ton of wonderful organizations that support children with cancer and their families with a variety of programs and resources.  Here you will find a list of those organizations, a brief description of the programs they offer, and the link to their website. 

  • Starlight Starbright  Helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear, and isolation through entertainment, education, and family activities. Not cancer specific.  
  • Friends of Scott   Provides emotional and financial support for young people with cancer and their families with face-to-face groups, a prom and other special events, scholarships, and a gas and grocery fund.
  • Pablove Pablove Shutterbugs program teaches children and teens living with cancer to develop their creative voice through the art of photography.
  • Leukemia & Lymphoma Society   The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is committed to providing information, resources and support to those affected by blood cancers.
  • Create a Smile   Create A Smile focuses on creating tailor made experiences that reflect each child’s creativity and personality to help brighten there day when things seem unbearably difficult.
  • Max Love Project    MaxLove Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a mission to increase the quality of life and reduce health risks for all children surviving cancer, both in treatment and beyond. We empower families fighting childhood cancers and related life-threatening conditions with quality of life care, “fierce foods” culinary medicine, whole-body wellness resources, education and research. We believe that true health starts when families are empowered to be active partners in their child’s healing.
  • Walk With Sally   Walk With Sally provides hope through individualized mentoring and community support services to empower children experiencing trauma through a parent, guardian or sibling’s cancer journey. Programs include: Mentor Program (mentoring children ages 7-17 by matching them with a mentor who has been through it), Heart to Home (an art healing program to further cultivate sharing and strengthen the connection between mentees and their mentors), Friendship Activities (quarterly group activities to create community), Temporary Family Support (providing aid to those WWS families most financially in need).
  • WeSPARK   WeSPARK provides free programs and services for cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones.
  • Make-A-Wish Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
  • Hopecam   Hopecam, is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity with the mission of using voice over Internet technology to help children with cancer overcome the burden of social isolation. By virtually connecting these children with their friends over a video conferencing application, Hopecam decreases the loneliness and anxiety they experience during this frightening time.  We provide the child with a tablet computer equipped with a webcam, Internet access in the home if the child is without, then work with the child's school to persuade them to establish a regular connection with the child during which the child can participate in classroom activities, and see and talk with their friends.
  • Tower of Cancer Research: Magnolia House Patient Support   The patient support division of Tower Cancer Research Foundation, Magnolia House, is an integrative wellness program offering a blended model of both in-person and online mind and body classes, workshops, and individual services. At no cost to cancer patients and survivors, Magnolia House empowers those with a cancer diagnosis to develop a physical and emotional toolkit to overcome the disease’s challenges by turning survivors into thrivers.
  • CancerCare   A cancer diagnosis turns a person’s world upside down — emotionally, physically and financially. CancerCare® can help. Providing Counseling, Case Management, Support Groups, Education, and Financial Assistance.
  • Alex’s Lemonade Stand Super Sibs   The SuperSibs Comfort & Care Mailing Programs send age-appropriate support over two years to children ages 4-18 residing in the U.S. who have experienced the childhood cancer diagnosis of a sibling.
  • Team Impact   Team IMPACT tackles the emotional trauma and social isolation experienced by children facing serious and chronic illnesses by matching them with a college athletic team. Through our two-year therapeutic program that complements their medical treatments, children develop relationships and skills that help them complete the full circle of healing.
  • Northwestern Mutual Foundation Scholarship Program   We are proud to offer two Northwestern Mutual scholarships: one for childhood cancer survivors and one for siblings of those affected by childhood cancer. These students deserve every opportunity to pursue