Campfire Circle has received a transformational, $15 million gift, the largest in its history, to expand programs for children with cancer or serious illness across Ontario. 

And all of it is earmarked for Prince Edward County.

The charity is building a $100 million, year-round facility off Wesley Acres Road. It will house about 400 campers and 150 staff across 13 residences on an 80-care site on the northeast shore of West Lake. It is expected to open in 2030.

Philanthropists Stu and Kim Lang’s landmark donation has galvanized fundraising for the new camp. “Once you find out about Campfire Circle and their camp programs, how could you not support them?” said Kim Lang. “We’re so proud to help more children with serious illness experience the joy, connection, and healing power of camp.”

Campfire Circle is noted for creating summer and weekend camp experience for children who otherwise would have no opportunity for such a thing, as they need constant medical supervision.

In Ontario, there are over 40,000 children living with a serious illness, and they miss out on the friendships and fun of childhood. Campfire Circle works to change that through hospital-based programs and community activities.

Children with cancer, heart disease, sickle cell disease, solid organ transplants, and serious blood disorders attend Campfire Circle’s two existing overnight camps, which provide medically supported experiences designed just for them.

One, in Muskoka, offers overnight stays and the other, in Waterford, is a family camp centre. Both are at full capacity.

According to Campfire’s VP, John McAlister, “We want to be able to serve 10,000 kids by 2030. Building this new camp in Prince Edward County means we can serve an additional 1600 campers a year.” The Lang’s donation will enable a state-of-the-art accessible athletic centre.

In addition to summer camp, the year-round facility will also offer smaller, weekend camp experiences in the shoulder seasons. “Those weekend experiences throughout the year help campers stay connected to the camp community. Many of them can’t participate in regular extra-curriculars,” Mr. McAlister noted.

“The County is an amazing location: not only is it beautiful in itself, it’s situated between the Eastern Ontario Children’s Hospital and other major centers, such as Sick Kids in Toronto.

“The Muskoka camp is quite a journey for many kids right now, as well as the staff.”

Campfire Circle’s signature fundraising events, which will be coming to the County, include 10k marathons and cycling races.

“As we start to move forward with fundraising, we will create a wider, public campaign across the province to create opportunities for these kids.

“We are very excited to be opening this camp in PEC. It will highlight the innovation and the care that can be offered in such a setting. I’m thrilled that thousands of kids every year will have the opportunity to experience the joy of camp.”