For a few precious days, kids get to be what they are first and foremost: kids.
They laugh, test their bravery, make new friends and feel proud of what they can do, surrounded by others who understand their journey.
At cancer care camps dedicated to kids, the magic is in the normalcy. Campfires, songs, games and shared adventures create space for joy and confidence. Just as importantly, every child is surrounded by others who understand without explanation. Everyone belongs.
That sense of connection extends to families. Parents and siblings find relief in meeting others who truly understand the life-changing challenges childhood cancer brings. They share stories, support one another and find moments of ease during an otherwise heavy journey.
These experiences exist because of donors.
In 2007, Ralph and Ada Hole established an endowment through the Alberta Cancer Foundation to support Camp Beat It, a program run by Kids with Cancer Society. That enduring gift continues to fund the four-day camp each year, creating a lasting legacy of joy and stability for children and families affected by cancer.
Donor support also helped expand Camp Kindle in 2025, a program run by Kids Cancer Care. Accessibility upgrades were added as well as new activities such as zip lines, climbing walls, archery and escape rooms so more children can take part fully, building friendships and memories that stay with them long after camp ends.
Here, kids are given something simple but powerful: the chance to just be kids.
