Facts & FAQs

Our Women’s Retreats are open to women (ages 21+) with any type of cancer diagnosis, who have either completed treatment or are currently undergoing treatment for cancer. The Ovarian Cancer Retreat(s) are open to women diagnosed with ovarian or gynocological cancers specifically.

Caregivers Retreats are open to an adult cancer survivor (age 21+) with any type of cancer diagnosis, in or out of treatment, and their caregiver. Caregiver may be any relation to the survivor (spouse, partner, adult child, sibling, close friend, etc) and the two attend the retreat together, as a pair.

All of Camp’s Adult Cancer Retreats are offered free of cost. Transportation costs to and from Missoula, however, are the responsibility of each participant. Retreat activities, workshops, accommodations, meals and transportation between the Missoula airport and the camp facility are included. Travel assistance may be available for first-time participants; please see Getting Here, above. While the adult retreats are cost-free, donations are welcomed and appreciated.

Medical support is either onsite and/or available during the adult retreats. Our Health Center is a modern facility where care can be administered as needed, and our medical team reviews medical information about each participant in advance of camp, so that the best possible care can be provided during your stay. The presence of the medical team is nonintrusive to the daily activities at Camp and in case of an emergency, we have a helicopter pad and access to both a local community hospital (within 20 miles) and two major medical centers in Missoula.
We do ask that participants bring any supplies they may need with them, including medications and special dietary items. Although medical support is available, adult retreat participants are expected to function independently and self-administer medications.

Camp Māk-A-Dream is located outside a small ranching community at the foot of the Flint Mountains. Although the Main Lodge is nestled in the hills amid incredible Montana scenery, it is not a rustic camp. We have beautiful modern cabins, an art studio, health center, main lodge and wellness center. In addition, there is a swimming pool (seasonal), archery range, climbing wall, sports fields, zip line, mini-golf and even a barn for horses (seasonal). Camp Māk-A-Dream is a smoke-free facility.
Participants sleep in one of four large cabins, each of which sleeps 14-20 people comfortably, in two community sleeping rooms. Each cabin has a common area with a fireplace and kitchenette, and each sleeping room has a handicap-accessible bathroom (with two stalls and two showers). During caregiver retreats, participant pairs will be housed together, either in one of the cabins described above, or within the wellness center building. Like all of our facilities, the cabins are  accessible and convenient for people of all abilities.

Meals are provided in the Main Lodge at large, round tables in a community atmosphere, and meals are designed to be balanced, nutritious and meet most dietary/allergy restrictions. Meals are served buffet style and 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 and we will do our best to accommodate.

Adult retreats combine education, recreation and relaxation through a variety of workshops and presentations, outdoor & all-group activities, art projects, entertainment and free time. Participants are encouraged to take part in as many of the activities offered throughout the retreat as they like — but everything offered is optional and aimed at serving our mission. At times, we may take an off-campus excursion to a nearby attraction or local historical site. The cost of such an off-campus activity is typcially covered by Camp Māk-A-Dream.

Camp is a close-knit community setting meant to provide a safe, comfortable and confidential environment for all of our participants. For this reason, during the Women’s and Ovarian retreats, we welcome individuals diagnosed with cancer.

The Caregivers Retreats, however, are designed for a survivor and their caregivers to attend together, as a pair, so people facing similar situations and going through similar experiences can all share and learn from one another.

Along with the Gold Creek facility, Camp Māk-A Dream has a main office located in Missoula, Montana. In addition to a board of directors, we have a team of year-round staff that works both at the camp facility, but also in our foundation office fundraising, bookkeeping, planning programs, managing rental groups and recruiting campers, volunteers and summer staff for the season. During the off-season, our chef(s), facilities team and housekeeping staff maintain and work from the Gold Creek facility hosting outside rental groups, while the rest of the staff works out of the Missoula office. Foundation staff members oversee all program sessions in the spring, summer and fall at camp and work closely with a team of volunteers who join us each session.

If you are planning to fly to Camp, you will want to arrive at the airport in Missoula, Montana (MSO). Flights can be expensive, so we suggest researching your options as soon as possible. Please do not book a ticket before you have been confirmed to attend the retreat as there is specific information you will need in order to make your final arrangements. Upon your arrival in Missoula, camp staff will meet you at the airport and transport you the 65 miles to our facility in Gold Creek.
If you are driving, directions and information about when to arrive on campus is included in your confirmation packet. The camp facility is located 65 miles east of Missoula and about the same distance west of Butte and southwest of Helena. From Interstate 90 take exit #166 and head south for less than one mile. Take a right at the first dirt road and follow the signs to our facility. Parking is available in the lot toward the top of the hill on the left.

We understand that plans and medical situations may change, so we ask that you notify us as soon as possible if you have registered but are unable to attend the retreat. This will allow us to adjust our needs for the retreat and make your spot available to someone else on the waiting list hoping to attend. We also recommend you look into travel insurance for your airline ticket, in case you need to cancel.

While the program and overall organization of the adult cancer retreats is handled by the Camp Māk-A-Dream foundation staff, we utilize several volunteers, in a variety of capacities, at all camp sessions. If you, or someone you know, is interested in volunteering, please share our website with them or have them contact us for more information.

Camp Māk-A-Dream offers cost-free programs year-round for children, young adults and families affected by cancer. In addition to our adult retreats, we currently offer programs for kids, teens, young adults, siblings who have a brother, sister or parent diagnosed with cancer, brain-tumor-specific programs and a family camp. See the ‘Programs’ tab of the website for details and more complete information.

You may apply online. Applications are accepted once the upcoming season schedule is posted. All applications are reviewed by our selection committee to determine the applicant’s eligibility. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis with consideration given to the applicant’s current stage of therapy and whether or not the applicant has previously attended Camp. Applicants who have attended Camp Māk-A-Dream three or more times will be put on a waiting list. Anyone selected from the waiting list will be notified at least 30 days prior to the Camp session. If you are requesting travel assistance please download a Travel Scholarship application or call our office at 406.549.5987, and submit it with your application to attend the session.