Camp Ohana: A Weekend for the Whole Family
Family Camp is now Camp Ohana!
Why Camp Ohana? Most people are familiar with the term “Ohana” from the movie Lilo and Stitch, where “Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” Ohana does mean “family”, but can also mean so much more. In indigenous Polynesian cultures, Ohana means not only your blood relatives, but can also include close friends and community members those outside your immediate family. It can also refer to a social group that works together to ensure that everyone has the resources they need to thrive.
That is the type of atmosphere we want to bring to families facing a pediatric cancer diagnosis at Camp Ohana. Camp Ohana includes all of the fun and interactive activities that you would expect from a weekend camp experience. But we also work to provide a resource for our families that fosters inclusion, friendship, support, and community, building strong, resilient families.
Camp Ohana is a weekend camp experience for families of children who are battling cancer. This camp gives the whole family a chance to have the same experiences that our Camp Discovery campers get to have during a full camp week. This camp is open to families whose child with cancer is aged 0-17 years old, and everyone who lives in their immediate household is invited! Every Camp Ohana is different and you never know what fun surprises wait around every corner. For those who like a thrill, we have horseback riding, archery, and rock climbing. For those who like to chill, we have arts and crafts, nature, and swimming. Other activities include s’mores, a talent show, and more! At the end of the night, each family is housed in their own private cabin to allow for a quiet and relaxing space for any of your family’s care needs.
Beyond all of the fun activities, our families often say that the best part of the weekend is getting to know others who are facing the same battle that they are. Parents offer support and understanding to each other, children on treatment play and have fun just like everyone else, and siblings meet other kids whose brother or sister has or had cancer. Life-long bonds are formed at Camp Ohana, and many families come back year after year full of excitement to see their friends again!
If you would like to join the fun, follow our Facebook for announcements on when the next Camp Ohana will be held. We can’t wait to see you there!
This weekend would not be possible without the financial support of our wonderful sponsor, Care Camps! For more information about their organization and all they do for children battling cancer, please visit https://carecamps.org/
A pediatric cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect one person. It reshapes the whole family. Camp Ohana is a place where your whole family belongs.
This is a free weekend camp experience open to every member of your household. Parents, siblings, grandparents living at home — everyone is invited, everyone is included, and nobody has to explain what life has looked like lately. The families you’ll meet here already understand.
“Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind.”
-Lilo and Stitch
That’s not just a name. It’s how we run camp.
Camp Ohana is open to families whose child with cancer is between the ages of 0 and 17.
Whether your family is ready for adventure or just needs room to breathe, there’s something here for everyone. For the thrill-seekers: horseback riding, archery, rock climbing. For those who want to slow down: arts and crafts, nature walks, swimming. For everyone: s’mores around the fire, a talent show, and a few surprises we’ll leave for you to discover.
At the end of each evening, your family has your own private cabin. A quiet, comfortable space for rest and any care needs your family may have.
Fall
October 16th – 18th, 2026
When we ask families what they remember most about Camp Ohana, and they’ll almost always say the same thing: the people.
Parents connect with others who truly understand what this season of life is like. Children on treatment laugh and play alongside kids who get it. Siblings often carry a quiet weight at home. Here, they meet other kids whose brother or sister has or had cancer. The bonds formed at Camp Ohana are real and lasting, and many families come back year after year excited to see the community they’ve built.
Camp Ohana takes place twice a year, typically in April and October at Morgan’s Camp.
Registration opens six weeks before each event and fills quickly. New families are prioritized on the waitlist, so don’t hesitate to sign up.
Camp Ohana is provided at no cost to families.
Questions? Email jennifer@discoverycamps.org
Camp Ohana is made possible in part by the generous support of Care Camps (carecamps.org), an organization committed to ensuring that children with cancer and their families have access to the camp experiences they deserve.
