Nothing can be more devastating to a parent than to hear the word “cancer” associated with their child. And nothing can begin to compensate for the anguish childhood cancer inflicts on the entire family. But as we have shared in the past, there is a haven – a place of safety for these young patients, their parents and their siblings.  A place where they can recapture hope, a zest for life and a sense of normalcy within a safe and medically secure environment.  And that place is Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, also known as “Camp.”

Camp is located in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California, a few miles from Idyllwild and offers a variety of residential programs for cancer patients, their siblings and parents, all year long. The facilities are designed specifically for the campers and laid out so that they can enjoy the wonders of a wooded hideaway and still be within minutes of a comprehensive medical facility.

There is a relatively new camping area, completed in 2012, called Pondside Village. This village has five cabins that can each accommodate 12 people. All the facilities at Camp are handicap accessible and these cabins feature plenty of windows for ventilation driven by large ceiling fans. The cabins are fully heated with two full bathrooms in each cabin, private toilet rooms and spacious handicap accessible shower rooms. Each cabin looks into the village and has a rock sitting -porch for getting to know new and old friends.

In the center of village is an activity cabin that can host 12 – 40 people for classes and day and night time activities. The activity building has four large  “garage- type” doors that open the side walls on warm days and beautiful nights expanding the space to accommodate even more people. Also in the center of Pondside Village are handicap access trails to each building, center grass area and a village campfire ring with log benches.

Just down from Pondside Village are twelve rustic cabin dorms that can each accommodate 8-10 camper and 2-3 counselors.  All cabins are equipped with screen doors, carpeted floors, bunk beds, electricity, heating and have restrooms with shower facilities attached or nearby.
The Roosevelt Dining Lodge, originally built in the 1940’s and most recently renovated in 2000, features central heating and air conditioning, eating for up to 200, an outside dining or meeting porch, a fireplace, restrooms and a beverage bar.  Attached to the dining lodge is a professional kitchen run by their own chef and food service staff.

Equipped with a state-of-the-art healthcare center, the Camp “Med Shed,” was specifically designed to serve the needs of campers impacted by cancer. The Med Shed provides areas and equipment to support each child’s health needs while at Camp including an examination room, resting and sleeping areas, a medication dispensary and the Catheter Care Cabin. Should additional support be needed, transportation can be quickly arranged to nearby Loma Linda University Medical Center or the camper’s home hospital.

In addition to the usual camp activities of team sports, arts and crafts and hiking, other programs at Camp include:
•    Horseshoe Pits
•    Challenge/Ropes Course
•    Kid’s Cooking Class Kitchen
•    Archery range
•    Fishing pond
•    KCGT radio station
•    Heated Swimming Pool
•    Tipi Village
•    Horse corrals and riding rings
Barco’s Nightingales Foundation is pleased to be an ongoing sponsor and supporter of Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times.  We have been honored to spend wonderful visits with these special campers and their counselors.
~Michael and Frida Donner