Camp STRONG 2026 | June 8-12, 2026
Camp STRONG 2026 will be out of this world! Join us for an exciting week of space exploration and adventure! Launch rockets, train like an astronaut, hunt for aliens and more! At Camp STRONG, campers enjoy the best of summer camp activities, including swimming, archery, foam party, s'mores and more with medical supervision and adapted activities as needed. Campers will be divided into "family groups" of about 10 campers their age to participate in activities together throughout the week. Campers will engage in morning expression groups, yearly traditions such as camp-wide games, night swim, Hopes & Dreams ceremony and have lots of fun making friends, swimming in the pool and pond and doing typical summer camp activities.
Where Kids Can Be Kids
The camp's mission is to provide a safe environment for children with these unique medical needs so they too can enjoy summer camp at its best. Camp is supervised by nurses, doctors and child life specialists who can provide modified camp activities and emotional support when necessary.
Although their journeys are different, the patients and siblings who attend Camp STRONG have much in common. They enjoy the camp camaraderie and getting to make friends with kids who have faced similar experiences. They also get to experience sleeping overnight in camp cabins for the week.
Saint Francis Children's Hospital partners with Shepherd's Fold Ranch in Avant, OK to provide the facilities, many of the outdoor activities and the small "family group" counselors. Saint Francis provides quality medical professionals and leadership staff to oversee all aspects of camp.
Camp Activities
Campers enjoy many outdoor activities including swimming (in a pool and a pond), archery, canoeing, hiking, water games and group bonding activities. Campers also enjoy experiencing traditional camp culture with flashlight games, tie-dye, group skits, Hopes & Dreams and a water fight with the Saint Francis oncology and cardiac doctors.
Camp STRONG Registration
Registration will be available through the Shepherd’s Fold Ranch website beginning November 1. Camp STRONG has had a waiting list the last few years, so plan to register early! Please make sure you are registering for Camp STRONG June 8-12 and not another week of Shepherd's Fold camp. Registration includes all camp activities, lodging, meals and a Camp STRONG t-shirt. Parents are expected to bring their campers to camp on Monday afternoon and pick them up Friday afternoon. Campers must bring their own clothes, bedding, toiletries, etc. They can bring special outfits/items for the camp theme and special events and additional money for the Shepherd's Fold camp store.
Due to the generosity of our community, Camp STRONG is provided at no cost to families. If you or someone you know would like to contribute to the funding efforts of Camp STRONG, please contact our camp coordinator Christina Manley directly.
Patient Sibling Eligibility
Because being the sibling of an oncology or cardiac patient comes with its own challenges, one sibling for each patient attendee is allowed to attend and experience the benefits of camp. Additional siblings may be placed on a waiting list and will be allowed if space is still available two weeks before camp starts. To add an additional sibling to the wait list, please email sibling name, gender and date of birth to [email protected].
Questions?
For more information, or to ask specific questions not covered here, please email our camp coordinator, Christina Manley, at [email protected].