Welcome to Okizu!
For 43 years Camp Okizu has offered support programs to families who have a child diagnosed with cancer. Camp Okizu has become a second family and a home away from home for thousands of patients, siblings, and parents.
Summer Camp 2024 Dates and Locations
IN-PERSON SLEEP-AWAY SUMMER SESSIONS FOR KIDS 8-17
- Oncology Camp session 1: June 10 – 14 @ Camp Arroyo (Livermore, CA) Sponsored by The Taylor Family Foundation*
- For more information on this site visit Camp Arroyo
- SIBS Camp session 1: June 16 – 21 @ Camp Arroyo (Livermore, CA) Sponsored by The Taylor Family Foundation*
- For more information on this site visit Camp Arroyo
- SIBS Camp session 2: June 24 – 29 @ Camp Taylor (Modesto, CA)
- For more information on this site visit Camp Taylor
- SIBS Camp session 3: July 1– 6 @ Camp Taylor (Modesto, CA)
- For more information on this site visit Camp Taylor
- Oncology Camp session 2: July 8 – 13 @ Camp Taylor (Modesto, CA)
- For more information on this site visit Camp Taylor
Registration will open January 15th and close two weeks before the start date of each program.
*We would like to recognize The Taylor Family Foundation for sponsoring sessions of Camp Okizu this summer! The Taylor Family Foundation’s mission is to preserve the wellness and enhance the quality of life for children in Northern California with life-threatening and chronic illnesses, disabilities and youth at-risk through unique therapeutic experiences and support. For more information, visit us www.ttff.org, www.facebook.com/ttff.org.
2024 Family Camp Dates and Locations
Family Camp is a chance for the patient, siblings, and parents to come together with other families who are coping with the challenges of navigating the pediatric cancer world. Each session includes some family activity time as well as designated times for parents and kids to meet separately for some targeted peer support.
Spring Family Camp Dates
- TBA
Fall Family Camp Dates
- TBA
2024 Teens-N-Twenties (TNT) Dates and Locations
For campers who are 18-25 and too old to attend summer camp, we offer the TNT program. This weekend-long program is for older teen and young adult patients and siblings to have an opportunity to enjoy the support and friendship of the Okizu experience even after they have aged out of summer camp.
- TBA
2024 Bereaved Teen Program Dates and Locations
In their everyday lives, it is so rare for a teenager to meet someone their own age who has lost a sibling to cancer. Our bereaved teen program provides teens and young adults, ages 13 – 25, the opportunity to bond with a group in their own age range who share the experience of losing a brother or sister to cancer can be extremely healing.
- TBA
2024 Family One-Day Events – Dates and Locations
Learn more about our programs and connect with other families affected by childhood cancer at our one-day picnic events. Pack a lunch for your family and come have fun with Okizu at a picnic space near you!
- April 14 @ Camp Arroyo (Livermore, CA)
COVID-19 INFORMATION UPDATED JUNE 2023:
Our medical team works hard every year to make camp as safe as possible for all our campers and our volunteers. They will continue to monitor current public health issues and we will update our safety protocols as is appropriate.
- Every participant, 1 (one) year and older, is required present proof of a BIVALENT Booster vaccination given on or after September 1, 2022, two weeks before the start of their program.
- The bivalent booster covers the two main strains of the COVID-19 virus and became available September 1, 2022. All booster doses given after September 1, 2022, meet the requirements.
- If the Bivalent dose was your first Covid shot ever, then a second dose of the Bivalent vaccine is needed 6 months later.
- If you got the Novavax or other alternative Covid vaccination, please provide details for review to enrollment@okizu.org.
- All required vaccine doses must be given two weeks before the start date of the program.
In addition:
- Onsite testing for COVID-19 will be administered to all participants aged 5 and up upon arrival at all in-person overnight programs.
- Face coverings are not required for overnight programs. Okizu encourages participants to wear a face covering if they desire or start to feel unwell during the program.**** All information presented above is subject to change with advice from our Medical Advisory Committee as the climate of COVID-19 is constantly changing. Okizu always prioritizes the safety of our campers and staff and we will continue to do so moving forward.*****
If you would like to receive additional information about Okizu, please call the office at 415.382.9083, or email enrollment@okizu.org.