Adult Retreat Participants – Confirmation Portal

You May either Fly or Drive

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.  

Camp is not able to provide accommodations outside of the specific retreat dates, however, visit the Extending your Stay section below for more information.

Financial Travel Assistance:  Camp Māk-A-Dream offers a limited number of travel scholarships to first time participants and some one-time assistance funding to returning participants demonstrating financial need. Assistance requires a Travel Scholarship Application be completed application at least 30 days prior to the first day of the camp session.  

Flying to Camp:

Participants should book a flight arriving in Missoula by 3 PM on the first day of the camp session.

Participants fly into Missoula, MT (MSO). Upon arrival, Camp staff will greet you on the upper level near the top of the escalators, assist in claiming any checked luggage and gather our group until the camp shuttle (bus/van) is ready to leave. 

If you are flying in prior to the first day, please make arrangements to be back at the Missoula airport by 1 PM to meet our staff.  Camp staff will be wearing Camp logo shirts to help you identify us. 

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. 

Driving to Camp:

Participants should plan to arrive in Gold Creek between 2-4 PM 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 so we can check you in and we will help get you settled. 

Please bring the types of clothing and personal toiletries that you would take on a vacation trip…and plan to dress in LAYERS as the mornings and evenings tend to be far cooler than you might expect.

Include a pair of closed toed shoes and long pants (needed for some outdoor activities), a swimsuit (hot tub/pool), a jacket or heavier sweatshirt/sweater, a ‘banquet night dinner’ outfit if you wish to dress up a bit and if you have a costume, accessories or props for our ‘theme’ night bring that too.

Click this link to see/download a complete suggestion list, What to Bring to Camp List.

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. Items left behind will be kept no longer than 14 days and Camp is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. Participants are responsible for any shipping related expenses for your lost item.

Medical Support  

Medical support is provided by a team of medical professionals throughout the retreat. All participants attending the retreat are expected to be medically independent.

• Please come with all medications in their original prescription bottle.
• Make sure to pack your medications in your carry on, not your checked bag.
• Bring all emergency medications you might need, even if you haven’t needed them in a while (camp is different than your 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.
• If you have any controlled substances (narcotics, benzodiazepines, etc.) we will provide you with a small lockbox for your use while at camp
• If you have any questions or would like to discuss your medical care prior camp, please contact Elissa (elissa@campdream.org)

The medical team is available to address issues or concerns and emergencies throughout the retreat. Camp Māk-A-Dream is not responsible for any costs incurred (medical or non-medical) to participants or volunteers while traveling to/from or attending the retreat. 

Check out our Staff & Medical section for more info!

Weather in Western Montana  

Anything is possible as far as weather goes here in Big Sky Country, so the best way to be prepared is to dress in layers and to bring a jacket or something warm. Camp is also at a much higher elevation than most participants are used to (approximately 4,000 ft.) which makes for colder temperatures, frequent windy conditions and physical adjustment for some.

Temperatures tend to dip significantly overnight and rise throughout the day, making morning and evenings quite chilly for much of the year (even with high temps during the day).

We recommend checking the weather forecast before you arrive.

National Weather link (zip code: 59733)

Local MT forecasts (Gold Creek, MT)

Camper Cabins  

Sleeping accommodations are in four modern, comfortable cabins (each named after a Montana mountain range – Beartooth, Bitterroot, Mission, Pintler) with a common living room with fireplace, a small kitchen (refrigerator, microwave). There are two large dorm-style sleeping rooms, each with 6 sets of bunk beds, 2 showers and 2 toilet stalls, plus one small sleeping room with two beds.

Priority for the small sleeping room is given to individuals with specific medical needs. Please contact us if you feel you have need for one of the smaller rooms.

There are power outlets near the beds, a small amount of hanging space and air purifiers.

Community living is a part of the camp experience; we suggest bringing items that might make your stay (and the stay of your cabin mates) more comfortable, including ear plugs, sleep head phones, reading light, etc. Personal space in the sleeping areas is limited, so please bring only what you need. Private changing space is available in each cabin. Please contact us with any specific concerns.

See more in the photo gallery (link here)

Participation in activities during adult retreats is optional, but we encourage you to take part in as much as you wish and feel up to, while also keeping in mind we want you to have time to relax, rejuvenate and connect with your fellow participants. It’s impossible to do it all….but we try!

Typical Day

Each day’s activities vary, but below is an outline example of a typical day at an adult retreat at Camp:

8:30 – Breakfast

9:30 – Breakout session or workshop

11:00 – Breakout session or art project

1:00 – Lunch

2:00 – Store Open / Relaxation Time

2:30 – Recreational/Outdoor activity

4:00 – Recreational activity or session

5:30 – Free time

6-6:30 –  Dinner

7:30 – All group activity/entertainment

9:00 – Fireside Chat

Late Night Fun (hot tub, rec room, art studio)

Theme Night

If you haven’t been to Camp before, you will soon experience theme night which combines decorations, interactive games (and maybe a little friendly competition), great food, the opportunity to learn a little something and even dress up and be silly!

Participants are welcome to bring a costume, accessory or prop related to the theme (feel free to get creative)!

We also will have some items at Camp that you are welcome to borrow.

Learn more about Camp Activities here.

Cell Phone Coverage, WiFi & Camp Contact Numbers

Cell phone coverage can be spotty depending on your provider. We ask that you limit use of your cell phones during the retreat so as not be be disruptive or interfere with connecting with other participants.

To contact the Camp facility directly: (406) 288-3030 (Mountain Time zone)

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

Valuables, such as laptops or iPads may be stored or locked in the office/health center building upon request. Access to these items may be limited based on office hours.

Camp has limited guest WiFi available across most of campus. Login information will be provided on site once you arrive.

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

Camp Store

Be sure to visit the Camp Store – located in the lower lodge – while at Camp Māk-A-Dream where you can find an assortment of logo apparel, smaller items (such as mugs, cards, jewelry) and a variety of snacks, beverages & special treats.

The store is open at various scheduled times throughout retreat sessions.

We accept cash, check or a credit/debit card for items, as well as several popular payment apps.

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 you’ve connected with.

Paper and writing utensils are provided for writing notes of encouragement, support or gratitude. This is a fun and optional activity at Camp.

Some people like to share a special little something with the others in the group – might be a favorite poem, a small trinket from your home state, or a sweet treat. Please be mindful that Camp is a diverse community. We ask that you do not bring materials with any specific political or religious affiliation or messaging.

Banquet Night & Art Show

We kick off the final evening of every camp session with a display of the amazing artwork created through the retreat, followed by a social ‘hour’ during which participants often take group photos and simply enjoy one another’s company.

Dinner is served, rather than buffet style, complete with more formal decor and table linens. Some participants choose to ‘dress up’ a bit on this night, but everyone is welcome to come as you are in whatever you wish to wear.

We round out our final evening with a slideshow of photographs taken by Camp throught the retreat. A private link to these (and likely more) photos will be emailed out to participants following the session.

Biography Books

Bio books are a tradition at our ovarian & women’s retreats. Participants have the option to submit a personal page including contact information, their cancer story or any life/personal information they’d like to share. These are then assembled and handed out to each participant at the retreat. It is a great way to get to know everyone, even if you don’t get a chance to talk to them in person during the retreat.

A Bio Book Template form will be provided by Camp for you to fill out and send back in prior to your arrival at Camp.

Your name and contact information will be included in the bio book even if you do not wish to submit a ‘bio’ unless you contact us and request NOT to be included.

Auction & Raffle

Participants of the ovarian and women’s retreats many years ago came up with the idea of ‘giving back’ to Camp by makings, soliciting or purchasing items to be brought (or sent ahead) to Camp. Things like small artwork, jewelry items, books, gift baskets, items from your home state all make great auction/raffle items.

Items vary in size and value and may be bundled together and are then displayed for bidding throughout the retreat and given out during the final evening’s banquet dinner.

Participation in the auction/raffle is entirely voluntary, but greatly appreciated.

If you wish to send auction/raffle items ahead (rather than bring them with you) you can mail them to us at:

Camp Māk-A-Dream

Participant Name & Retreat Name (ex: Ovarian or Women’s Retreat)

2110 S. Johnson Street

Missoula, MT 59801

For all auction & raffle items it is helpful to us to have the item(s) value and who donated it (be it you or someone else).

Community Living

At Camp, we all live in spaces with others and out of respect for each other, ask that common courtesy, common sense, respect and grace be shown by all. Everyone at these retreats is an adult and we expect them to act as such. Please discuss things with your cabin mates, talk out small differences and if assistance is needed, contact a staff member.

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 Mak-A-Dream participants, staff, rules and facility.

~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 staff and participants from posting pictures of campers and staff on line in order to respect the privacy of others.

5. Do not use Camp Mak-A-Dream’s name in order to promote commercial products or services

~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 hereby hold harmless and release Camp Mak-A-Dream, its employees and its contractors from any and all liability with relationship to my participation in the program.

Consequences for a broken contract will be determined by the Camp Management Team and may result in the participant not being allowed to return to Camp, although incidents rarely occur. You will be held responsible for any damages incurred, as well as travel expenses, if you are asked to leave.

Tobacco, Alcohol, Marijuana Products & Controlled Substances

Camp Māk-A-Dream is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is not allowed in any buildings or on campus grounds. This includes all tobacco products, plus electronic cigarettes and vaporizers. If you anticipate this being a concern, please bring appropriate smoking cessation aides.

Alcoholic beverages should not be brought onto campus and the use of marijuana products, including those medically prescribed, is not permitted on Camp property (and traveling across state lines with such is illegal).

Psycho-Social Issues

Professionals providing psychosocial support may be on site or on call throughout the camp season. They may be consulted for assessment and provide recommendations for incidents relating to suicidal ideation and/or reports of abuse involving minors and other specific groups. Appropriate parties will be notified in accordance with professional recommendations, Camp Māk-A-Dream policy, and state/federal law.

Leaving Campus/Visitors

Unless prior arrangements have been made, we expect participants to stay on campus throughout the retreat.

Camp is a closed community and other than outside presenters or those having made prior arrangements, visitors are generally not allowed during Camp sessions. Should you have a question or special circumstance/request, please contact the Camp Director or a member of the Camp Leadership Team.

Incidents/Accidents

Should you experience or witness an accident or other incident while at Camp, you may be asked to complete a short Incident/Accident report form. This is so that we can have an immediate and accurate reporting of what happened should further care or action be warranted in the future.

Golf Carts/Vehicles

Only members of the Camp staff or those designated and approved to, may drive golf carts and only Camp staff may drive Camp vehicles.

Lodging

For those choosing to stay in Missoula before or after the retreat there are local hotels that may offer special rates. When making your reservations, tell them you are with Camp Māk-A-Dream to receive these special rates.

Comfort Inn: Offers complementary airport shuttle, hot breakfast, wifi, outdoor fire pit and more. Located close to downtown and within walking distance of the Clark Fork River and University of Montana. For reservations, call: 406-549-7600.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott: Offers complimentary airport shuttle, breakfast, fitness center and indoor pool with waterslide. For reservations, call: 406-541-8000. Discounted rates available for stays on Sunday-Thursday nights. Rooms Fridays or Saturdays are not eligible for a discount.

Suggestions for Things to do in Montana:

Missoula & surrounding areas

Glacier National Park & surrounding areas

Yellowstone National Park & surrounding areas

Montana Tourism

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

Camp facility (Gold Creek, MT): 406-288-3030

Attending Camp? Contact: Jen Emendorfer-Wade (Camper Manager)

Volunteering or Presenting at an Adult or Young Adult Retreat? Contact: Jennifer Benton (Camp Director)