Camper Parent Portal

You may either fly to the Missoula MT airport (MSO), meet us at the airport, or drive directly to camp.

Confirmed participants are in charge of booking their travel and asked to consider travel insurance, refundable flights, or flights you can receive credit vouchers in case you or Camp needs to cancel for any reason.  Camp is not responsible for any costs in the event that it is necessary for either party to cancel. 

You will be asked to complete an online travel form with your travel details, so that we can make the necessary arrangements to transport you to and from the Missoula Airport.  

Financial Travel Assistance:  We want everyone impacted by cancer to have the opportunity to experience the magic of Camp! In an effort to keep the cost of travel from being prohibitive, we offer travel scholarships to new campers as well as returning campers who need assistance with the cost of travel. Please completely fill out your camper application before filling out the Travel Scholarship Application.  ***travel assistance requests are due no later than 30 days before the start of the camp session.

Flying to Camp: Participants fly into Missoula, MT (MSO). Participants should book a flight arriving in Missoula by 3pm on the first day of the camp session. Upon arrival, Camp staff will greet you on the upper level near the top of the escalators or, in the case of unaccompanied minors, at the gate. When departing, we suggest you book a mid-morning or early afternoon flight.  Early morning departures will be accommodated, however, camp is located 65 miles from the airport (so a 6 AM flight means leaving Camp by 3 AM). Shuttles from Camp are consolidated based on flight departure times and Camp vehicle capacity limits.

If your camper is flying as an unaccompanied minor, please contact Jen prior to arrival day to finalize pick up details. (jen@campdream.org or 406-549-5987)

Driving to Camp: Participants should plan to arrive in Gold Creek between 2pm and 4pm on the first day of the camp session. Camp is located off Interstate 90 at the Gold Creek Exit 166. Take the exit heading south approximately 1 mile to the gravel road on your right by the little white church. Turn right, pass under the 6C Ranch arch, then turn left up the hill passing under the Camp entrance arch. Park in the parking lot, walk across the bridge and stop at the office to check in. Pick up time for the last day of the session is between 8am and 10am. 

Here is a PDF packing list that you can download and print.

Camp provides campers with sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, towels, sunscreen, and bug spray. Life guards are always on duty when the pool is open and we have a variety of life jacket sizes for camper use.

Make sure you pack:

• Medications for their entire stay (in original pill bottles, packed in their carry on bag)
• T-shirts and shorts
• A sweatshirt or two (it gets chilly in the morning and night)
• Two pairs of long pants (required for horseback riding, plus it gets chilly)
• Socks and underwear
• Pajamas
• Swimsuit
• Sandals and closed toe shoes (required for some activities)
• Toiletries (including soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, and toothpaste)

***Any phones, iPads, valuables, and other electronics will be locked in the office during youth campers’ stay (see Communication at Camp section below for more info).

If you need to contact your child/teen during the camp session, call or text the Director on Duty phone at 406-544-4299.

Optional items:

• Hat and sunglasses
• Money for the camp store (see Camp Store section for more information)
• Banquet night attire (optional dressy outfit for the last night dinner)

What not to bring to camp:

• Pets
• Expensive jewelry/ watches, or other valuable items
• Alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes/ vaping devices, marijuana products, lighters, matches, illegal drugs
• Knives, firearms, or other weapons, fireworks

Lost and Found

Camp will keep items left behind for a maximum of 30 days. If something of value is left behind, please contact our office as soon as possible. Camp is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. Participants are responsible for any shipping related expenses for their lost item.

Weather in Western Montana  

Camp is at 4,000ft elevation so it gets hot in the day and chilly at night. Make sure you pack layers and check the weather forecast when you’re packing for the week! (zip code 59733)

• Please send your camper with all medications in their original prescription bottle.
• Make sure to pack your campers medications in their carry on, not their checked bag.
• Send all emergency medications your camper might need, even if they haven’t needed them in a while (camp is different than their daily routine and may cause previous medical conditions to flare up).
• If anything changes medically between filling out the camper application and camp, please email our Health Center Manager, Elissa (elissa@campdream.org). This includes ER visits, hospitalizations, or medication changes.
• All medications are stored in the health center (aside from emergency medications like Epi-pens and inhalers which are always kept with the camper) and distributed by medical volunteers using our electronic medical record system.
• You will receive an email from our camp team two weeks prior to your camper’s session with an option to call our staff nurse to review the camper’s medication regimen or discuss any medical concerns.
• If you have any questions or would like to discuss your camper’s medical care prior camp, please contact Elissa (elissa@campdream.org)
• There is an on call mental health professional for every camp session.

Camper Cabins  

Sleeping accommodations are in modern, comfortable cabins with a common living room with fireplace and a small kitchen. There are two large dorm-style sleeping rooms, each with six sets of bunk beds and two bathrooms (with two showers and stalls in each). Personal space in the sleeping areas is limited, so please bring only what you need. It is camp policy that all campers, staff, volunteers dress/change in a private changing space. There are outlets near the beds (in case your camper has a cpap). Please contact us with any specific concerns.

If your camper has any roommate requests, please include this information in their application. While we cannot guarantee that the participant will be housed with this person/ people, we do our best to accommodate requests.

Check out this PDF to see photos of the cabins.

Meals and Food Service

Meals are provided in the Main Lodge at large, round tables in a community atmosphere. Food is abundant, nutritious, and served buffet style. Snacks are also available in the cabins.

For campers who require vegetarian or other dietary alternatives, we ask you to outline those needs on their registration form. We do our best to accommodate food/allergy restrictions, but are not necessarily able to accommodate food or dietary preferences.

Typical Daily Schedule

Times and activities vary by session and age group.

• 8:00 – Breakfast
• 9:00 – 12:15 – Activity rotations
• 12:30 – Lunch
• 1:00 – Cabin Time (time to rest, play cards, have downtime in the cabin)
• 2:00 – Choice time rotation
• 3:00 – Choice time rotation
• 4:00 – Free time
• 6:00 –  Dinner
• 7:00 – Cabin chat (more info in camp traditions section)
• 7:30 – All Camp evening activity (such as Theme Night, Camp Dance, All Camp Game, Campfire/ Campout Night, Banquet Night, Talent Show)
• 9:00 – Optional fireside chat or late night activities for older campers
• Lights out times vary depending on camper ages

Learn more about Camp Activities here.

Cell phone policy

One of our goals at Camp is to create a sense of community. Cell phones and other electronic devices can be disruptive and interfere with the overall experience. In addition, having access to cell phones can exacerbate homesickness and may keep campers from connecting with other participants. For these reasons, we require all campers attending sessions with minors to turn in their cell phones, smart watches, and any devices with internet capability.

Communicating with your camper while they are at camp

Campers flying to Camp will call home on arrival day, usually between 4-8 PM MT to let their parent know that they have safely arrived. If you need to contact your camper during their time with us, call or text the Director on Duty phone at 406-544-4299.

Mail

If someone is mailing a letter or care package to someone at Camp we recommend mailing it a week before the session begins to make sure it arrives at camp before they head home. Please make sure that items are Camp appropriate and do not contain tree nuts.

• Camp Address: Camp Māk-A-Dream
• Attn: Camper Name
• 727 Camp Māk-A-Dream Road
• Gold Creek, MT 59733

Internet use after Camp

Social networking is a great way for campers to communicate with one another once camp is over. Camp Māk-A-Dream does not allow staff or volunteers to exchange contact information with minor campers without parental consent. If a parent completes a Parental Consent Contact Information Form and a staff member/ volunteer completes a Staff and Volunteer Consent Contact Information Form, Camp will provide the staff/ volunteer’s contact information to the parent so they can initiate contact.

Camp Store

Your camper will have the opportunity to visit the Camp Store every afternoon. We carry an assortment of logo apparel, smaller items (such as mugs, cards, and stickers), and a variety of snacks and beverages. See this PDF of the 2023 Camp Store Merchandise to get an idea of inventory and prices.

Payment Options

You can either send cash or a prepaid debit card or you can call ahead and put a credit card on file.

We collect any cash or credit cards (as well as other valuables) and keep them in a secure location in the office. We then set up a Store Bucks Card for campers to use at the Camp Store and close it out at the end of the week. If your camper has a credit/debit card, the card will be charged as purchases are made and a receipt will be sent via email. If you would like to call ahead to put a credit card on file, call Jen at 406-549-5987.

Warm Fuzzy Bags

Campers, volunteers, and staff alike are encouraged to make what we call a “warm fuzzy” bag to decorate and hang in the dining room. These serve as a personal mail box and a great place to drop a nice note to someone they’ve connected with. Supplies are provided for writing notes of encouragement, support, or gratitude.

Cabin Chats

Throughout the week, we have several cabin chats that are facilitated by the cabin leaders as well as the other adults in the cabin. The purpose of this time is provide a safe space for campers to share their stories and experiences.

Banquet Night and Talent Show

We kick off the final evening of every camp session with a more formal dinner. Some participants choose to ‘dress up’ a bit on this night, but everyone is welcome to come as they are in whatever they wish to wear. After dinner, there is a Camp Talent Show followed by a slideshow of photographs taken by Camp throughout the week. A private link to these photos will be emailed out to participants following the session.

Community Agreement

Camp Māk-A-Dream is a close-knit community and in order to ensure the safety and comfort of all of our participants, volunteers and staff we ask that everyone agree to the following policies while attending Camp.

• I will take into consideration the rights and feelings of others and respond to them in an open and caring manner.
• I will not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate such behavior from others.
• I will not take unnecessary risks or encourage others to do so.
• I will respect the Camp Māk-A-Dream participants, staff, rules and facility.
• I will only engage in Camp activities I consider will not put my physical or emotional health at risk and I understand that personal responsibility is key to safety.

I will use the following guidelines with regard to Camp when using email, texts and social networking sites:

1. Keep what is said positive and respectful.
2. Do not use obscenities or vulgar language.
3. Do not say mean, false or threatening things to or about campers and/or staff.
4. Camp discourages participants from posting pictures of campers and staff online in order to respect the privacy of others.
5. Do not use Camp Māk-A-Dream’s name in order to promote commercial products or services

Camp Māk-A-Dream does not allow drugs and tobacco use or possession on campus (including e-cigarettes and vaporizers) except for drugs prescribed to a Participant and over the counter medications. The use of marijuana products (including those medically prescribed) is not permitted on Camp Māk-A-Dream property.

Camp Māk-A-Dream does not tolerate rude or disrespectful speech or conduct, and all discrimination based on sex, class, age, ethnicity, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or religion or any other protected class is prohibited and grounds for termination of the right to participate.

Consequences for a broken contract will be determined by the Camp Leadership Team. Serious incidents rarely occur, but if they do, they may result in the participant being asked to leave mid session or not being allowed to return to Camp. You will be held responsible for any travel expenses if your camper is asked to leave.

Main foundation office (Missoula, MT): 406-549-5987

Director on Duty (during camp sessions only): 406-544-4299

Questions about your application? Email Jen Emendorfer-Wade (Camper Manager) at jen@campdream.org

Questions about your camper or the camp session? Email Lauren Bender (Camp Director) at lauren@campdream.org