Activities & Events

While undergoing treatment, many patients and families are restricted on what activities they can do. That’s why the Children’s Cancer Hospital at M. D. Anderson provides opportunities for kids to be kids. Through camps, field trips and special events, we try to bring a sense of normalcy back to our patients and their families.

Camp A.O.K. (Anderson’s Older Kids)

Camp A.O.K. is an overnight, week-long camp for more than 50 adolescent patients and their siblings, ages 13 to 18 years. It is held at the Fred A. Lennon Youth Camp in Magnolia, Texas and positively impacts our adolescent patients, their siblings and parents. Patients gain independence and interact with other teens in an accepting environment. The presence of M. D. Anderson’s medical staff gives parents the confidence to allow their teen to leave home for a week of camp in a safe environment.

Camp activities include horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, tennis, swimming, archery, team sports, arts and crafts, cooking, dancing and more. Each night is full of activities as well including bowling, Casino Night, game and skit night, and the camp-week closer, Prom Night. Prom dresses and tuxes are provided and altered to fit each camper while hair stylists cut and style each camper’s hair before the formal dinner and dance. It’s a memorable week for everyone!

Camp A.O.K. is free to its campers through funding from the Children’s Cancer Hospital at M. D. Anderson and the Children’s Art Project. 

Camp Star Trails

For younger patients and siblings ages 5 to 12, the Children’s Cancer Hospital offers Camp Star Trails. More than 150 kids come each summer for this week-long adventure at Camp For All’s campsite in Burton, Texas.

Campers can build their skills in archery, arts and crafts, canoeing, kayaking, cooking, creative arts, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, team sports and swimming. They will also have the opportunity to visit the small animal farm and tackle the challenge course. Nighttime festivities may include carnival games, bingo night, movie night, sports night and a dance party with songs for the whole group to dance to.

Patients and siblings can attend Camp Star Trails for free thanks to funds from the Children’s Art Project and the Children’s Cancer Hospital. Physicians and pediatric oncology nurses are on-site at all times to handle any medical needs.

Rehabilitation Ski Trip

The Children's Cancer Hospital sends a group of patients, their families and hospital staff to Park City, Utah each year for a rehabilitation ski trip.

The ski trip is for patients and survivors who have physical disabilities as a result of their treatment. Participants spend a week learning to ski and realizing their ability to overcome any physical challenges.

Funding for the trip is provided through the Children’s Art Project.

Annual Education Trip

When the school year comes to an end each spring, patients from the Children’s Cancer Hospital pack their bags and head to San Antonio and other Texas cities for a three-day adventure that is both fun and educational. 

As the patients visit various Texas cities, they tour through educational venues such as the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin, the state capitol, the Alamo and Sea World. Each night, patients wrap up the day with a swimming and ice cream party with arts and crafts projects. The trip is funded through the Children's Art Project.