Our Programs
- What types of programs do you offer?
- How do I know if my child is ready to attend Camp?
- What do other parents, doctors & nurses say about Camp?
- Where does my child stay at Summer and Winter Camp?
- Who watches my kids at the pool?
- Is the horseback riding safe?
- Will my child be sleeping outside at any time during a Summer Camp session?
- How does my child get to Camp?
- Can I talk to my child on the phone while they are at Camp?
- How do I contact my child while at Camp?
Q: What types of programs do you offer?
A: Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® offers a wide range of Camp programs designed to meet the medical, developmental and support needs of your patient, sibling and family.
A: Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® offers a wide range of Camp programs designed to meet the medical, developmental and support needs of your patient, sibling and family.
- Patients Age Infant – 8:
Family Camp is a 2 night – 2 day experience. Family Camps are offered in the spring and fall and are designed to support the whole family. Family Camp is open to all families who have a child with cancer, ages infant – 8 years old. Read more> - Patients and Siblings Ages 9 - 15:
Winter Camp is a 4 day - 3 night experience that promotes self-esteem, friendships, and fun for children who currently have or have had cancer and their siblings. Read more>
Summer Camp is a 6 day - 5 night experience that creates lifelong memories and friendships. We offer activities of a “normal” camp, adapted to meet the special needs of our campers. Read more> - Patients and Siblings Ages 16 - 18:
Winter Camp is a 4 day - 3 night experience that promotes self-esteem, friendships, and fun for children who currently have or have had cancer and their siblings. Read more>
Summer Camp is a 6 day - 5 night summer camp experience that will create lifelong memories and friendships. We offer activities of a “normal” camp, adapted to meet the special needs of our campers. Read more>
Q: How do I know if my child is ready to attend Camp?
A: As a parent, only you know what is in the best interest of your child. Download our “How To Know If You and Your Child Are Ready For Camp” brochure to help answer your questions and guide you in making the best choices for you and your child.
A: As a parent, only you know what is in the best interest of your child. Download our “How To Know If You and Your Child Are Ready For Camp” brochure to help answer your questions and guide you in making the best choices for you and your child.
Q: What do other parents, doctors & nurses say about Camp?
A: Find out more about what our campers, parents and healthcare professionals say about the value of a Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® experience. Read more>
A: Find out more about what our campers, parents and healthcare professionals say about the value of a Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® experience. Read more>
Q: Where does my child stay at Summer and Winter Camp?
A: Your child will stay in a cabin with 6 - 10 fellow campers of the same age and gender, along with 2 - 3 counselors.
A: Your child will stay in a cabin with 6 - 10 fellow campers of the same age and gender, along with 2 - 3 counselors.
Q: Who watches my kids at the pool?
A: An American Red Cross certified lifeguard watches over our campers while they swim. Our lifeguards are trained in the emergency and rescue procedures specific to our Camp pool. In addition, regular emergency procedure drills are practiced and documented by our Camp Director. In addition to our lifeguard, all of our cabin counselors are trained in how to assist the lifeguard in case of an emergency.
A: An American Red Cross certified lifeguard watches over our campers while they swim. Our lifeguards are trained in the emergency and rescue procedures specific to our Camp pool. In addition, regular emergency procedure drills are practiced and documented by our Camp Director. In addition to our lifeguard, all of our cabin counselors are trained in how to assist the lifeguard in case of an emergency.
Q: Is the horseback riding safe?
A: We rent a line of horses that is used to working with our campers. Our horseback riding staff meets with the Camp Doctor and Camp Nurse to review every child’s ability and challenges. Our trained and experienced Head Wrangler matches each rider with each horse to ensure a stable, safe and fun ride for all!
A: We rent a line of horses that is used to working with our campers. Our horseback riding staff meets with the Camp Doctor and Camp Nurse to review every child’s ability and challenges. Our trained and experienced Head Wrangler matches each rider with each horse to ensure a stable, safe and fun ride for all!
Q: Will my child be sleeping outside at any time during a Summer Camp session?
A: Yes! Sleeping outside under a star-filled sky creates wonderful camp memories. Every camper will have the opportunity to sleep outside one night during their stay at Camp. Our 9 - 15 year old campers will sleep out at our Tipi Village, while our 16 - 18 year old campers participate in an overnight backpack trip. All campers are reviewed by our Camp Doctor and Nurses to ensure they are able to participate.
A: Yes! Sleeping outside under a star-filled sky creates wonderful camp memories. Every camper will have the opportunity to sleep outside one night during their stay at Camp. Our 9 - 15 year old campers will sleep out at our Tipi Village, while our 16 - 18 year old campers participate in an overnight backpack trip. All campers are reviewed by our Camp Doctor and Nurses to ensure they are able to participate.
Q: How does my child get to Camp?
A: To best serve our campers and their families, we offer FREE round-trip bus transportation from several Southland locations. On your child’s Camp application, please indicate the location from which you would like us to pick-up and drop-off your child. Directions to the pick-up location and the times when you should plan to arrive at the location will be mailed to you with your confirmation. Should your child be coming to Camp from a location outside of Southern California, please contact our office to arrange pick up from local airports.
We use luxury busses with trained and certified drivers, air conditioning and on-board bathrooms. Each bus will be supervised by our Camp Staff, with one staff member serving as the Bus Leader. Each Bus Leader has emergency supplies, contact information and training in emergency procedures to ensure the safest possible trip for your child’s initial experience of their Camp session.
A: To best serve our campers and their families, we offer FREE round-trip bus transportation from several Southland locations. On your child’s Camp application, please indicate the location from which you would like us to pick-up and drop-off your child. Directions to the pick-up location and the times when you should plan to arrive at the location will be mailed to you with your confirmation. Should your child be coming to Camp from a location outside of Southern California, please contact our office to arrange pick up from local airports.
We use luxury busses with trained and certified drivers, air conditioning and on-board bathrooms. Each bus will be supervised by our Camp Staff, with one staff member serving as the Bus Leader. Each Bus Leader has emergency supplies, contact information and training in emergency procedures to ensure the safest possible trip for your child’s initial experience of their Camp session.
Q: Can I talk to my child on the phone while they are at Camp?
A: One of our goals at Camp is to help campers develop and experience a sense of independence. To this end, we discourage campers from calling home. Pay phones are not available to campers at the site, and due to our mountain location, cell phone service is not available. Therefore, we would appreciate you speaking with your child before Camp, encouraging them to write letters home and to expect letters from you.
If there is an emergency and you should need to speak with the Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® Staff, we can be contacted on site at (951) 659-4609.
A: One of our goals at Camp is to help campers develop and experience a sense of independence. To this end, we discourage campers from calling home. Pay phones are not available to campers at the site, and due to our mountain location, cell phone service is not available. Therefore, we would appreciate you speaking with your child before Camp, encouraging them to write letters home and to expect letters from you.
If there is an emergency and you should need to speak with the Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times® Staff, we can be contacted on site at (951) 659-4609.
Q: How do I contact my child while at Camp?
A: Campers love to hear how much you miss them and that you hope they are having a great experience.
Send a letter of package: 2 or 3 days BEFORE YOUR CHILD LEAVES FOR CAMP, mail a letter or package. Mailing an item a few days before your child leaves for Camp is the best way to ensure it gets delivered before your child returns home from Camp.
Post office mail should be sent to:
(Your Child’s First & Last Name)
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®
Post Office Box 35
Mountain Center, CA 92561-0035
Shipping a package (UPS, FedEx, etc.)
(Your Child’s First & Last Name)
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®
56400 Apple Canyon Road
Mountain Center, CA 92561-0035
Please DO NOT send candy, gum or food. We provide ample meals and snacks at Camp. Food and candy cannot be kept in the camper cabins as these items may invite unwanted visitors (squirrels, mice and ants). Campers love to receive comic books, magazines, puzzle books and personalized letters from you. Please wait for your camper to get home to share less happy news, such as their goldfish dying.
Due to the short, 4-day weekend Winter Camp sessions, mail service is not available.
Email messages can be sent to your child via our Camper Mail Box at camper@campronaldmcdonald.org .
At this time, we do not have the capability for campers to return email. We encourage all campers to write a letter home. You may want to provide them with a pad, stamps, pen and envelopes with your home address pre-written on them.
A: Campers love to hear how much you miss them and that you hope they are having a great experience.
Send a letter of package: 2 or 3 days BEFORE YOUR CHILD LEAVES FOR CAMP, mail a letter or package. Mailing an item a few days before your child leaves for Camp is the best way to ensure it gets delivered before your child returns home from Camp.
Post office mail should be sent to:
(Your Child’s First & Last Name)
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®
Post Office Box 35
Mountain Center, CA 92561-0035
Shipping a package (UPS, FedEx, etc.)
(Your Child’s First & Last Name)
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®
56400 Apple Canyon Road
Mountain Center, CA 92561-0035
Please DO NOT send candy, gum or food. We provide ample meals and snacks at Camp. Food and candy cannot be kept in the camper cabins as these items may invite unwanted visitors (squirrels, mice and ants). Campers love to receive comic books, magazines, puzzle books and personalized letters from you. Please wait for your camper to get home to share less happy news, such as their goldfish dying.
Due to the short, 4-day weekend Winter Camp sessions, mail service is not available.
Email messages can be sent to your child via our Camper Mail Box at camper@campronaldmcdonald.org .
At this time, we do not have the capability for campers to return email. We encourage all campers to write a letter home. You may want to provide them with a pad, stamps, pen and envelopes with your home address pre-written on them.
