Survivor Adventures and Retreats

I was fortunate to attend two cancer survivor immersive adventure retreats in nature. These were life changing experiences that felt like a summer camp/snow day/slumber party/group therapy all rolled into one. I felt like I belonged and was in a comfortable space to share, reflect, grow and try new things.  There are many program available, especially for young adult survivors (diagnosed between 18-39) or just for women. Make sure to read closely to determine your eligibility based on age at diagnosis, years since treatment, sex, and type of cancer.  These experiences are often cancer survivor or caregiver run and are adventure by choice. For most of the retreats, you have to pay to get to the location, but housing, food and activities are paid for by the organization. Many have scholarships available for financial assistance*. Often you may share a room with another participant. These activities will require medical clearance from your oncologist as well as clearance from the hosting organization’s medical staff. They will likely have a medical staff person available for the adventure. Many of these programs are in the spring and summer and their registration opens in January. They fill up quickly or have large waiting lists!

Below is a comprehensive list of adult cancer survivors adventure camps.
 

All Ages and Types of Cancer:

Epic Experience is a week long cancer survivor camp in the Colorado Rocky Mountains with adventures based on the season (like ski, paddle, or saddle) for cancer survivors 18 and older. Pediatric cancer survivors over the age of 18 are also welcome. They also have regional meet-up days throughout the country as well as a podcast, virtual reality and virtual exercise classes.   

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Camp Mak-A-Dream offers week long camps for adults to enjoy life changing experiences at a ranch in Missoula, Montana. They offer young adult (18-35) survivor retreats, young adult (18-35) brain tumor retreats, women's retreats (ages 21+ for any cancer and a session for ovarian cancer), and caregiver retreats (adult cancer survivor ages 21+ and their caregiver). The ranch has horseback riding, zip line, ropes course, wellness center, pool, hot tub, mini-golf, archery and art studio.  

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A Fresh Chapter uses service as a mechanism to give survivors a tangible way to move beyond illness. They have a 10-week virtual program to foster connection, growth, belong with weekly video calls as well as one-time introductory 60-90 minute programs to connect with others and offer tools and points of view. They also offer The Elevate Fellowship Program which is a cross-cultural, immersive peer to peer advocacy that has a virtual and two-week onsite experience in Kenya. 

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River Discovery offers adventures ranging from one day to 6-day adventures to swim, hike, kayak or snow shoe. They offer survivor and co-survivor river retreats. “All programs immerse participants in the beauty and serenity of Idaho’s outdoors and expose them to the recuperative benefits of nature.”

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For Pete's Sake is a 6-day respite retreat to Woodloch Resort for cancer survivors and their families. Survivors must be ages 21-55, reside in DE, PA, NJ, NY, or MD, and have been in active treatment in the past 6 months. Accommodations, food, and activities for the patient, primary caregiver, and children of the patient are included. They also offer Staycation Respite packages for those who are unable to travel. You must be nominated by your oncology care team.

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Strength For Life offers a weekend wellness retreat in Hauppauge, New York for any cancer survivors with any diagnosis regardless of treatment status. Participants are introduced to different healing modalities such as tai chi, yoga, sound healing, reiki, and art therapy. Strength for Life provides all meals, overnight accommodations (double occupancy), and classes.

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Young Adult Survivors:
Base2Summit is a 6-day adventure hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing in Northern Michigan for young adult cancer survivors ages diagnosed and currently 18-39. This program is all-inclusive and includes airfare, transportation, accommodations, food, activities and gear.

Dear Jack's Breathe Now Wellness Retreats are 4-day retreats for young adult survivors (age 21-39 years old, one to three years removed from their last day of treatment) and their partners or caregivers. The retreats harness the transformational powers of yoga, meditation, and psychosocial breakout sessions to help couples renew, learn, and grow as they live their lives together post cancer. Participants enjoy yoga, mindfulness psychosocial sessions, nutrition support to heal mind and body.
 

First Descents offers outdoor adventures across the United States for young adult cancer survivors diagnosed between the ages of 15-39 and currently between the ages of 18 to 45. The adventures are 2-7 days and empower young adults to conquer new challenges. There are also community day adventures. They also have programs for oncology healthcare works and young adults diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

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Project Kuru is a week long outdoor adventure surfing or skiing/surfing for young adults diagnosed between the ages of 18-39 who are finished with active treatment at least 3 months before the first date of camp.

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Send It Foundation provides outdoor adventures for young adult (ages 21-40) cancer survivors, removing them from their cancer experience and creating the space to play, connect, and have fun in the outdoors. Send It programs are multi-day adventures in Lake Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay Area, designed around activities such as mountain biking, skiing, surfing, climbing and backpacking; creating a vital community through shared experience.

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True North Treks is an outdoor adventure for young adult cancer survivors aged 8-39 backpacking and canoeing treks mindfully in beautiful and remote wilderness destination as well as a mindfulness retreat in at the Walden Institute on Lake Superior. They also offer virtual mindfulness classes twice a month (the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30pm Eastern Time).

Women Only:

Faces of Cancer provides a Women’s Cancer retreat for newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment and/or survivors. The camp is in the Tampa Bay Area. They also offer a Women of Color Cancer Camp to address the disproportionate levels of mortality in women of color. To register, click on the “See What Camp Looks Like” Button and it will take to you to a sample itinerary and registration link button.

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Mary's Place by the Sea is a 10-bedroom custom built “sanctuary by the sea” two blocks from the Atlantic Ocean in Ocean Grove, NJ for women who have been diagnosed with any form of cancer within the last 2 years or are up to 2 years post-treatment to retreat, connect, and heal. Mary’s Place offers a day or two-night stay in your own room with a private bathroom as well as free services, breakfast and lunch. They provide integrative services in-person and virtual classes including oncology massage, reflexology, nutrition education, health coaching, Reiki, prayer, guided meditation, expressive writing, Soul Collage, and yoga. Mary’s Place has an elevator and is fully accessible. 

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Breast Cancer Survivors Only:

Casting for Recovery holds two-and-a-half-day fly fishing retreats for breast cancer survivors across the country including accommodations, food and instruction. Women at any age or stage are eligible to apply to attend the retreat nearest to them.  Applicants are chosen by a lottery drawing.

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Image Reborn Retreats are weekend wellness retreats for breast cancer survivors held in Park City, Utah. They offer a Rest & Renew Retreat with gentle and restorative activities, best for those recovering from surgery. They also feature an Active Renewal Retreat with includes slightly more rigorous activites for those looking for a little more movement in their healing. Additionally, they have an Adventure Retreat for those wanting to "push their limits" with ropes courses, canyoneering, river rafting and may have a yurt, dorm and/or tent as an accommodation. They also have a retreat specifically for Hispanic women with breast cancer. Participants can be in active treatment or any number of years out from diagnosis.

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Little Pink Houses of Hope is an organization that provides free, week-long vacations for breast cancer survivors and their caregivers or partners or families. Survivors must have undergone treatment for breast cancer within the past 12 months with priority given to those in active treatment or closest to active treatment.  Vacations are held in 21 different locations in 10 different states throughout the year.

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Sister's Hope Retreats are restorative four-day weekend small group retreats for breast cancer survivors 6 to 24 months out of active treatment held in Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina. All meals, accommodations, services and materials are provided. The retreat includes small group discussion, complimentary healing services and relaxation in nature.

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Shay's Warriors hosts an annual breast cancer survivor's retreat in June in Palm Springs. A 4 day, three night experience for cancer survivors hosted in the beautiful Coachella Valley.  Participants much be 1-5 years from active treatment, surgery or if metastatic and must be nominated.

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Children of Parents with a Cancer Diagnosis:
Camp Kesem is a free week-long summer sleep away camp for youth ages 6-18 who have lost a parent to cancer, have a parent undergoing cancer treatment, or a parent that is a cancer survivor. It is organized over 130 college-based chapters in 44 states and District of Columbia with college studies volunteering to operate Camp Kesem.

Men Only:
Reel Recovery holds two-and-a-half day fly fishing retreats for adult male cancer survivors (21+) in any stage of treatment. All meals, lodging, and equipment are provided at no cost. They offer support and “courageous conversations” and “fishing buddies”.

 

*Scholarship for Travel Assistance for young adult cancer survivors through the Cassie Hines Shoes Cancer

Foundation.