Camp Rainbow logo

Location: Lost Canyon Young Life Camp in Williams, Arizona

Camp Rainbow is an annual summer camp for patients of Phoenix Children’s who have, or have had cancer or a chronic blood disorder. Every year, campers have the opportunity to enjoy fun and meaningful experiences with others in a supportive environment full of exciting activities. Camp Rainbow offers these kids and their families the opportunity to establish friendships and have fun.

Camp Rainbow is held for one week every summer. The camp session includes activities such as zip line and rock wall, arts and crafts, canoeing, fishing, swimming, archery and much more. Camp Rainbow welcomes patients of Phoenix Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders who are ages 7-17. Campers are grouped in cabins based on age and gender.

The application opens for campers and volunteers in mid-December for the following summer.

Application Deadline: April 1st

Camp Rainbow Contact

Email: camprainbow [at] phoenixchildrens.com (camprainbow[at]phoenixchildrens[dot]com)
Phone: 602-933-0157

Please email us if you would like to receive invites for future Rainbow Kids activities.

The History of Camp Rainbow

Camp Rainbow has been offering summer camp to cancer patients since 1985. It began with 27 campers and has grown to serve more than 200 children per camp session. The Phoenix chapter of United Order True Sisters #58 partnered with the Children's Cancer Center at Phoenix Children's to establish the camp. Camp Rainbow is Phoenix Children's only camp program.

Children in a canoe

The Camp Rainbow Team

Phoenix Children’s employs one Special Programs Coordinator who serves as the Camp Director at Camp Rainbow. All other camp staff members are volunteers! Camp Rainbow's amazing volunteers come from all over: some are employees or volunteers of Phoenix Children's; many are dedicated members of the community; some even come from out of state.

The entire staff is devoted to the welfare and happiness of the children and to providing the best supervision and care possible. All Camp Rainbow staff must be 19 years or older and are selected by means of a written application, interview, verification of personal references, immunizations, drug screening, and background check.

Camp Rainbow has an excellent infirmary, staffed 24 hours a day by Phoenix Children’s doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and mental health professionals. 

Camper Frequently Asked Questions

Breakfast is at around 8:30 a.m. every day. Each morning, you will go to different activity areas with your cabin, such as archery, swimming, canoeing and crafts.

Lunch is at around 12:30 p.m., and then we have quiet time for an hour or so. In the afternoon, you are off to more exciting activities.

Dinner is at around 6 p.m. Every night we have special activities such as casino night, talent show, camp dance, silly Olympics or drive-in movie night. Lights out is at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., depending on how old you are.

There are three full meals served every day:   

  • Breakfast: Cereal and milk and juices are served every morning; in addition, there can be scrambled eggs and bacon, pancakes and syrup, or biscuits and gravy.
  • Lunch: It may be build your own hamburger, delicious macaroni and cheese, or pizza. Dessert may be ice cream sandwiches or freshly baked cookies.
  • Dinner: There might be hotdogs, sloppy joes, or a Mexican feast. For dessert, there may be brownies or cupcakes.

For vegetarians there is always a veggie dish available, such as veggie pizza or vegetable lasagna. If you have allergies or cannot eat certain foods because of diet needs or religious reasons, we make sure that the cook and counselors know this before you arrive at camp.

Snacks are available in the dining hall all day long. There will always be something tasty to keep you fueled for the day's activities.

At least two counselors will live with you in your cabin. They are there to make sure you are safe and to be your friends. There are also nurses and doctors at camp to make sure you get all the medical care you need. 

When you get to camp, you will move right into your cabin. Every cabin has at least two private showers and toilets in it. You will share a big room with anywhere from 7-11 other campers your own age and gender.

At least two counselors will also share the cabin with you. The counselors are your teachers, supervisors, and, most importantly, your friends while you are at camp.

Activities include a climbing wall and low ropes course, zip line, arts and crafts, archery, canoeing, fishing, music, sports, swimming and exciting evening programs.

Every camper at Camp Rainbow has been a patient at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Phoenix Children's. There may be kids with the same illness as you or with different medical illnesses.

Some kids may have all their hair and some may be bald from chemotherapy. Some need medications every day; others don’t need any at all.  Everyone is different and that is okay.

Once you're accepted, you will receive a full list of what to pack. Please make sure to label everything you bring with your first and last name.

  • Camp will provide you with a bed, including a mattress, pillow, sheets, blanket, and a bath towel. You may bring an extra pillow and blanket if you would like so you are comfortable.
  • You will need to bring a pool towel, toiletries and clothes for a week. Don't forget your swimsuit, a sweatshirt, a flashlight and a water bottle.
  • The following items are not allowed at camp: electronics (i.e., iPads, phones, gaming systems), weapons, tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs.
Kids doing archery at Camp Rainbow

Accreditation

Camp Rainbow is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which upholds the highest standards for organized camping. Camp Rainbow is also a member of Children's Oncology Camping Association International (COCA-i) and is a Gold Ribbon Accredited Camp. COCA-i strengthens the international community of camps for children with cancer and their families through networking, advocacy, and education.

Children's Oncology Camping Association International logo
American Camp Association logo
Care Camps logo

Programs Throughout the Year

Rainbow Kids activities are held throughout the year. Activities may include bowling, movie nights, indoor rock climbing, roller skating, game nights, cooking classes, craft days, sports events, and many more fun events. Rainbow Kids activities are for patients of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, who are any age, and their immediate families.

If you would like to receive invites for future Rainbow Kids activities, please email the camp director with the name and birthday of your child who is a CCBD patient.

Funding

Camp Rainbow and Rainbow Kids are 100% funded by philanthropy and are provided at no cost to children and families. Funds are used to support the costs of food, housing, supplies and professional supervision for camp activities. Your gift will play a crucial role in Camp Rainbow’s mission, ensuring that it has the resources necessary to keep providing all of the invaluable camp experiences to children and teens.

Donations

If you would like to make a donation, please visit the PCH Foundation website.

Phoenix Children's Foundation Contact

Email: foundation [at] phoenixchildrens.com (foundation[at]phoenixchildrens[dot]com)
Phone: 602-933-4483