KiDS NEED MoRE

FUN & FRiENDSHiP for KiDS coping with GROWN UP STUFF! 

FAMiLiES NEED MoRE of everything! 

OUR MiSSiON

KiDS NEED MoRE is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and families coping with the trauma of cancer, serious illness and other grown up stuff. We build a community of support and hope through peer mentoring, friendly visits, camp experiences, retreats, and day events. We believe that joy, fun, and friendship heals.

OUR ViSiON

KiDS NEED MoRE will provide opportunities for families coping with serious illness and trauma to build natural healthy connections and will bring together peers, neighbors, organizations, and healing practitioners to weave a community of joy, fun, and friendship. We believe through compassion, community, and purpose, there is resilience. 

OUR HiSToRY

In 1990, after learning their children had been diagnosed with cancer, a group of concerned parents set out to design an environment where their children could create lasting memories with their siblings, and make friends. 

Together they began Camp Adventure a medically supervised sleep-away camp, where their KiDS, could just enjoy being KiDS. Nearly 30 years later, the legacy of  Camp Adventure is upheld by hundreds of survivors, parents, and volunteers, through KiDS NEED MoRE. 

Since the successful launch in 2013, the magic of KiDS NEED MoRE has touched over 2000 families coping with life-threatening illness. Camp is now, just one of the many, motivational recovery environments and activities provided at no cost to families. 

FRiENDSHiP

KiDS NEED MoRE values friendships. We build a culture of respect and positive relationships for our families, volunteers, fellow organizations, and sponsors. Our donors and business partners are welcomed into our community of kindness. We are all in this, together. 

“The first week you get sick, everyone shows up at your house with a casserole. My KiDS NEED MoRE Friends are the people that keep showing up five years later. Good thing, I like their  cooking.” 

We can’t take away the pain or the frustration that comes along with serious illness and trauma, but we can listen and hold your hand through it. 

CAMP ADVENTURE

Camp Adventure was a magical week for 156 CAMPERS coping with cancer last August. The theme was “The Camp Before Time”. We had dinosaurs and happy prehistoric beasts walking with us. 

We recruited 170 VOLUNTEERS working in many different capacities, including doctors, nurses, bakers, and other extraordinary people who dedicated their week to make it a special experience for the many children who attended. Camp Adventure is provided at no cost to children diagnosed with cancer ages 6—18 and their siblings, including those who are bereaved.

LEADERSHiP

We recruit and mentor young people who possess life-experience with serious illness, to serve as leaders within our organization.  Our goal is to build confidence, write resumes, and provide the foundation to launch successful careers and occupational paths. 

This year over 122 young people ages 18—29 received mentoring & support. That’s 14% MoRE than last year!

Campers who attend Camp Adventure one time are 50% likely to return, and campers that return for the 2nd time are almost 100% likely to be a part of our camp family into adulthood. 

SADDLE RoCK DAY CAMP

celebrated its 3rd season with 106 CAMPERS & 32 VOLUNTEERS! That’s a 60% Growth in attendance from our previous year. 

Our day camp is in partnership with Family Residences & Essential Enterprises & Great Strides Riding at the Saddle Rock Ranch. We provide day camp experience through the month of July at no cost to families coping with life-threatening illness. 

When Mom or Dad need time away, the KiDS can Play!

Serious illness affects everyone in the family. Saddle Rock Day Camp is available to all the children ages 2 and over, to child patients, the siblings of patients, and the children of patients.