Campfire Circle sat down with Warren, volunteer and camp alumni, on why he keeps giving back. Campfire Circle: Why do you volunteer at Campfire Circle? Warren: Campfire Circle has a special place in my heart. As a cancer survivor myself, I have seen firsthand how powerful the experience of camp can be on those affected by childhood cancer. Campfire Circle helped shape my childhood in a positive way, providing new and exciting challenges while fostering a safe and supportive environment for discovery. A big part of my volunteer journey is giving back to an organization that has given me so muc ..read more

Kadin was diagnosed with osteosarcoma when he was nine years old. While he was in SickKids undergoing treatment, he began attending Campfire Circle’s programs. “They came in to do activities with him and then invited him to camp,” says his mom Karen. “I remember being very hesitant at first. I never had him go to other camps before. They explained to me that the doctors would be onsite, and how it might be good for him to be around kids who are going through the same ordeal.” Kadin attended a weekend at camp and absolutely loved it. Then, he went on a week-long session at Muskoka. “I was ner ..read more

Jack had a heart transplant when he was born, and developed post-transplant lymphoma when he was five years old. “We found out on his birthday,” recalls Dione and Bob, Jack’s parents. “I asked the doctor if we could wait until the next day to tell him, so he didn’t have to find out on his birthday, but Jack had to start chemo right away.” While having treatment at SickKids, the family learned about Campfire Circle, and Jack, along with his three siblings and their parents, attended family camp at Rainbow Lake. “When we got to camp, the family guides introduced themselves and were ready to whis ..read more

To celebrate the International Day of Happiness, we are excited to partner with Domino’s Pizza to bring more joy to kids with cancer or serious illness and their families. On March 20, when you purchase a specially priced $4.99 one-topping pizza at Domino’s Pizza locations in Ontario, $1 will go towards Campfire Circle’s play-based programs in hospitals, local communities, and at our medically supported overnight sites. “We are thrilled to join forces with Campfire Circle on this International Day of Happiness,” says Werner Lomker, Domino’s franchise owner. “Together, we hope to make a meaning ..read more

Asher was born in August 2012. According to his dad, Kevin, he was beautiful, happy little boy. “Immediately, the love of his older sister’s life,” he says. When he was almost three months old, Asher’s parents found a strange bump on the back of his head and took him to see their paediatrician. After a series of tests, Asher was diagnosed with a rare disease: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH). From the age of three months to three years old, Asher and his parents were at McMaster Children’s Hospital, almost daily. They would arrive in the early morning hours for chemotherapy, and little Ashe ..read more

This holiday season, Campfire Circle was honoured to be recognized as one of the children’s charities in the LCBO’s “Give Gifts That Make a Difference” fundraising campaign. The campaign, where customers can donate at point of purchase, raised an incredible $6,694,306 for children’s charities across Ontario. Thanks to the dedication of supporters like LCBO’s staff and customers, Campfire Circle provides year-round camp experiences to kids with cancer or serious illness and their families. LCBO’s partnership will help expand our play-based programming, bringing joy and laughter to more kids in ..read more

In January 2022, four-year-old Benjamin got an accidental kick to the eye at school. Over the next few weeks, the swelling around his eye got worse and worse. His concerned parents took him to the emergency room at SickKids in Toronto where he was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), a rare disease classified as cancer. Over the next year, he underwent 25 chemotherapy treatments. Benjamin became “Benjamin the Brave,” when his great aunt made him a custom cape with the “B” logo. He is known throughout the halls of SickKids for his cape, and for playing the part of the superhero ..read more

Kascharli. It’s not a real word, but a merging of two names of best buddies. Kascha and Charli first met at a Weekend At Camp (WAC) in November 2022. They bonded the very first morning as the only two in their cabin to participate in the Polar Bear hike. After a weekend of crafting, canoeing, singing around the campfire, and hot chocolate-ing, (if you’ve been to camp, you’ll recognize this verb), Kascharli were inseparable. While a two-hour drive separates them, they stayed in touch through FaceTime conversations, which have grown from monthly to weekly. It wasn’t until spring 2023 that they w ..read more

Carter, aka Mr. Curious, loves to see what’s going on in The Cabin. Whenever he’s at SickKids, for clinic or a check-up, he always comes by for a visit. The Cabin is Campfire Circle’s dedicated space at SickKids where kids of all ages can gather for themed group programming. Carter’s favourite things are making slime and coming in to see his friends. “I still have slime that we have taken home from the hospital,” says Gianina, Carter’s mom. “All he wants to do is put it on the walls!” At five years old, Carter was diagnosed with leukemia, and met Campfire Circle at the hospital within the fi ..read more

On Thursday, November 2, Campfire Circle hosted Bonfire Bash, held at the Fort York Armoury in Toronto. The event brought together more than 700 guests to raise $1.75 million in support of our critical year-round programs for kids with cancer or serious illness and their families. Presented by GFL Environmental Inc., the evening celebrated 40 years of Campfire Circle, uniting present and past campers, their families, and our community of generous supporters. As guests arrived, they were led into a starry-themed pre-dinner cocktail reception sponsored by Emmanuelle Gattuso (La Fondation Emmanue ..read more