Family Fun Day
When: June 6, 2026
Where: Conference Point Center - Williams Bay, WI
Who: New to Camp families with a child ages 0-19
Thinking about or getting ready for sleepaway camp for your child? Family Fun Day is the perfect chance to see, feel, and experience what Camp One Step is all about as a family! Explore campus, peek into camper rooms, meet our incredible staff and volunteers, join in dining hall fun with songs and laughter, and dive into activities that give you a true taste of the adventure ahead.
Family Fun Day is all about connection and bringing new families together to share in the joy, energy, and support of the Camp One Step community. It’s the ideal way to prepare for your child’s sleepaway experience while making new friends and memories along the way. Come spend the day with us, and you’ll see why Camp One Step is more than a camp, it’s a family. New families can contact Devin (dryan@camponestep.org) to learn more about joining!
Sign up is currently closed. Please check back soon!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Devin Ryan-Holanda at dryan@camponestep.org
Sibling Camp
When: June 14th - 19th, 2026*
Where: Conference Point Center - Williams Bay, WI
Who: Siblings of diagnosed children ages 8-19
*Please note – volunteers expected to arrive a day prior to the camp start date for training and preparation.
At Camp One Step, we know siblings of cancer patients deserve their own spotlight, too. Sibling Camp is a week dedicated to celebrating siblings, ages 8–19, with all the fun, adventure, and friendship that makes camp unforgettable.
Sibling Camp is special because it’s a chance for siblings to bond with peers who truly understand what it’s like to have a sibling with cancer. Campers feel seen, supported, and celebrated in a community that values their unique journey. Every day is packed with a mix of favorite camp traditions and brand-new adventures designed to make them feel special.
You can expect jam-packed days of games, sports, arts & crafts, outdoor fun, new experiences, and a family that surrounds you with laughter, support, and lasting friendships.
Thank you to Silent Events for their support of our annual Sibling Camp dance!
Sibling Camp Options
SIB KIDS
For campers starting at age 8 and thru 5th grade, a classic camp experience with a mix of activities including indoor and outdoor games, fishing, swimming, and crafts.
SIB JUNIORS
For campers the summer after completing 6th – 8th grades, in addition to the classic camp experience with a mix of activities like indoor and outdoor games, fishing, swimming, and crafts, this group goes on one to two off campus field trips for their activities.
SIB SENIORS
For campers the summer after completing 9th grade and beyond, these campers will get a choice of tracks to tailor their camp experience to their interests. All Sib Seniors will interact for meals and waterfront/watercraft time daily regardless of which track they sign up for, but will choose from the options below:
- Sports and Outdoor Adventures track: Some of the activities include team sports like basketball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, and soccer as well as classic camp outdoor activities like fishing and watercrafts.
- Indoor Games and Makerspace track: Activities include a wide selection of creative, innovative science or arts and crafts activities and lots of board and card games with your friends. Classic waterfront and watercraft activities will also be included.
- Mixed Experience track: For those who love it all, you can choose a bit of both worlds! Join in for sports and outdoor adventures while also making time for creativity and games.
SIB CITY
(“Counselor in Training Year”)
This leadership training is designed for former campers when they are age 20 to prepare to transition into counselor roles. It emphasizes the development of essential skills for supporting and caring for fellow campers. Participants will engage in virtual training before camp, followed by in-person training upon arrival and ongoing mentorship throughout the week.
Notifications to eligible applicants are sent prior to applications opening every spring. Interested campers should apply using the VOLUNTEER/STAFF link when applications open.
If you are interested in SIB CITY, please reach out to Hopper at JHopper@camponestep.org.
Applications are currently closed. Please check back soon!
If you are a new-to-camp family, please reach out to Jessica Hopper at JHopper@camponestep.org.
Meet Your Leaders
After losing both of her parents to cancer, Katie knew she wanted to give back. Her older sister told her about Camp One Step and after her first camp she was hooked! Katie started volunteering with Camp One Step in 2007 as a counselor at Summer Camp in the Standard Program. Currently she is serving as one of the Program Leaders for Standard Camp at Summer Camp, Director for Sibling Camp, and the Program Coordinator for Winter Camp. She has also been a counselor for Family Camp, Brain Tumor Family Camp, Chicago Day Camp, Washington, D.C., Dude Ranch, and Digital Camps. Katie has even run for Team One Step in the Chicago Marathon!
Meet Your Leaders
Erica learned about Camp One Step from her Dad who was a first year camper in 1978 and then went on to be a counselor. He always told Erica and her sister about how much Camp One Step meant to him and how fun it was! It was Erica’s dream growing up to follow in his footsteps and spend as much time as she could volunteering for their happy place. Since starting volunteering in 2021 Erica has volunteered with Winter Camp (virtual 2021), Digital Camps, and is a Program Coordinator for Sibling Camp. The joy that camp brings keeps her coming back!
Meet Your Leaders
Liz learned about Camp One Step through a close friend who was one of the original campers. Every summer her friend would ask her to come and volunteer with her at camp. In the summer of 2019 Liz was finally able to volunteer and since then she has never stopped coming back! Currently Liz is one of the program leaders for Excursion at Summer Camp and has also been a counselor at Family Camp and Winter Camp (virtual). She enjoys joining in on the Digital Camps and this past year she was able to travel to Disney with the Seabees! Liz is also a member of Team One Step and runs the Chicago Marathon in honor of camp.
Meet Your Leaders
Tenia learned about Camp One Step through one of her graduate school professors who thought camp would be an awesome experience for volunteer hours. Tenia decided to give it a go and has loved camp ever since. Tenia has been volunteering at Camp One Step since 2020 and has volunteered and been a group leader for Day Camp. Tenia continues to volunteer for Camp One Step year after year because of the relationships that she builds with counselors and campers and the feeling of being a part of the camp family. Tenia enjoys watching all the campers build new friendships and have tons of fun with the activities!
Meet Your Leaders
Valerie learned about camp through her graduate program in Clinical Psychology at Midwestern University and has been involved with camp for 4 years!
She started as a volunteer for Sibling Camp and then took on program coordinating for teenagers/seniors at Sibling Camp. She’s also volunteered with Brain Tumor Family Camp and will be running the Chicago Marathon this year on behalf of Camp One Step. Valerie says the community and the joy she has getting to work with the campers keeps her coming back!
Summer Camp
Week 1: July 12th - 18th*, 2026
Week 2: July 19th - 25th*, 2026
Where: Conference Point Center - Williams Bay, WI
Who: Diagnosed campers & survivors ages 7-19
*Staff will be asked to arrive a day early to camp start date for training and preparation.
Orientation for NEW Summer Camp volunteers will take place May 30th in a digital format.
Camp One Step’s signature Summer Camp is where kids get to be kids, friendships flourish, and memories last forever. Whether you join us for one week or two, you’ll experience the joy, laughter, and magic that only Camp One Step can bring. With days packed full of favorite traditions and brand‑new surprises, nine unique tracks tailored to age and interest, and programs planned with love and safety by our dedicated leadership team, there’s truly something for everyone.
From swimming, sports, arts & crafts to campfires, songs, and adventures, every day is designed to spark joy and connection. Whether you’re a first‑time camper or a returning friend, Summer Camp is your chance to build friendships, share stories, and feel the true spirit of camp. Join us for one or two unforgettable weeks and discover why Camp One Step is more than camp!
Thank you to Care Camps Foundation for supporting Summer Camp 2025.
Summer Camp Options
STANDARD
7-10 years old
In this option, campers will enjoy the fun of classic camp with activities like swimming, fishing, water craft, sports and games, and field activities. They will experience the joy of time away from home and newfound friendships.
STEPPING UP
11-12 years old
These campers participate in classic camp activities while focusing on learning independence and building self-confidence. Some of these activities include swimming, fishing, water craft, sports, and games and field activities.
ACE
13-16 years old
In All Camp Experience (ACE), campers will participate in classic camp activities along with specialized experiences led by "expert" activity leaders. Whether it be basketball, arts & crafts, magic, or STEM, ACE is the place to come explore everything camp has to offer!
EXCURSION
13-16 years old
In this unique travel camp, campers in Excursion will spend the week on various field trips to local places of interest. Navy Pier, Great America, The Milwaukee Zoo, and The Wisconsin Dells Water Park have all been highlights in the past! The itinerary changes every year, but the joy of adventure remains the same!
WATERSPORTS
13-16 years old
Love the water? This camp is for you! Participants can plan to spend their session enjoying fun in the water in many different ways - water fights, swimming, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and SCUBA certification just to name a few. And that's not all - come experience fun on land with campfires, outdoor movies, and more!
CAMPCRAFT
13-16 years old
Campcraft is geared towards the teen adventurer! Participants live, eat, learn and play outdoors.
Campcrafters sleep in tents that they pitch, eat food that they cook, and gather round the campfire every night to strum guitars, roast marshmallows, and bond over the day's events. In Campcraft, lasting friendships are built through teamwork, togetherness, and a true love for the outdoors.
Excel
17-19 years old
In Excel, friendships - whether lifelong or newfound - are really what it's all about. Time spent bonding over conversation is just as important as volleyball, swimming, or Chopped food challenges. Excel campers will revel in their favorite camp activities in their last years as campers while serving as role models for the younger kids on campus.
Seabees
20+ years old
Participants in the Seabees Leadership Program are former campers 20 years and older who have limitations due to their disease, treatment, or other factors. Seabees participants are sent invitations once they are age eligible and go through a special application process. Notifications to eligible applicants are sent by January. If you are interested in being a participant in the Seabees, please reach out to Hopper at JHopper@camponestep.org or Devin at DRyan@camponestep.org.
Guided by facilitators, this camp focuses on personal growth through achievement and service to camp. We are in need of additional facilitators for this program. If you are interested in working with active adults charged with mentoring, service to camp, and personal growth, this would be a great camp for you!
OSF
20+ years old
This leadership training experience is offered to past participants of any Camp One Step camp who want to take One Step Further (OSF). Notifications to eligible applicants are sent by January. If you are interested in OSF, please reach out to Hopper at JHopper@camponestep.org or Devin at DRyan@camponestep.org.
Applications are currently closed. Please check back soon!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Devin Ryan-Holanda at dryan@camponestep.org
Meet Your Leaders
Areyl first learned about Camp One Step through a social worker at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and her parents thought it would be a great experience. She started as a camper when she was about 15 years old. Arely enjoyed her time as a camper and transitioned into a volunteer role in 1999. Since then, she has been a counselor in various Camp One Step programs including Summer Camp, Dude Ranch, Winter Camp, and Utah Ski Camp. As a nurse, she assisted on the Winter Camp Medical Team for a year and for several years she served as one of the Program Leaders with Stepping Up at Summer Camp. Currently Areyl has taken a position on the Admin Team as a Staffing Coordinator for Summer Camp. Areyl says she ‘loves this amazing organization’ and has volunteered in some capacity nearly every year!
Meet Your Leaders
Cara first got involved with Camp One Step through her aunt who was a volunteer on the medical team. She started volunteering with Camp One Step as a counselor in December 2010 and her first program was Winter Camp. She says she’s been hooked ever since! Since then, Cara has been a counselor for Summer Camp, Winter Camp, Sibling Camp and Family Camp. She was a Group Leader for Winter Camp and then transitioned into the Program Coordinator role. Before joining the Summer Camp Admin team, she helped with the Summer Camp Orientation team. Once Cara joined the Summer Camp Admin team, she was the Staff Coordinator for Summer Camp, and is now the Summer Camp Programs Coordinator. In addition to all that, Cara has also run the Chicago Marathon twice for Team One Step!
Meet Your Leaders
Erin was diagnosed with leukemia in 1987. Dr. Baum, the founder of Camp One Step, was her oncologist and suggested to Erin’s parents that they send her to Summer Camp. She first came to camp as a camper in the summer of 1990 and became a volunteer in 2003. Erin is currently the Program Director for Summer Camp but has also been a counselor for Summer Camp, Winter Camp, Dude Ranch, the former White Water Rafting Program, Brain Tumor Family Camp, Sibling Camp, and Family Camp. She has also run the Chicago Marathon twice for Team One Step.
Adventure Camp
When: August 11th - 15th, 2026
Where: Mirror Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI
Who: Diagnosed campers, survivors, and siblings ages 17-19
*Staff will be asked to arrive a day early to camp start date for training and preparation.
Ready for the ultimate outdoor experience? Adventure Camp is all about exploration, nature, and pushing your limits while surrounded by friends who understand your journey. Campers sleep under the stars, wake to the sounds of nature, and take part in epic adventures like rock climbing, zip-lining, and kayaking, making every day thrilling. Adventure Camp delivers laughter, connection, and unforgettable memories while tent camping and cooking around the campfire.
Adventure Camp is designed for teens ages 17–19 who are current or past pediatric cancer patients as well as their siblings, with volunteer eligibility also open to 20‑year‑old campers who successfully complete the Summer Camp 2025 OSF program. More than just a week outdoors, it’s a chance to discover your strength, bond with peers, and embrace the joy of camp in the great outdoors. Come explore with us and experience the adventure of a lifetime!
Applications are currently closed. Please check back soon!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Madeline Brown at Mbrown@camponestep.org.
Meet Your Leaders
Scott found out about Camp One Step when his sister was diagnosed with cancer as a child and began coming to summer camp. A few years later his mother got involved with summer camp and was an arts and crafts leader. Around that time Scott started coming to summer camp as well because at that time there was not a sibling camp and camp would allow some of the program leaders’ kids to attend camp. During one of these summers at camp, Scott met Amy, a camper diagnosed with cancer as a freshman in high school and they became great friends who later on in life got married. After college Scott had the opportunity to be a counselor at Dude Ranch and ever since that experience, he’s tried to volunteer for 1 or 2 programs per year. Scott has been a counselor for various programs over the years and is now serving as Program Director for Adventure Camp. He has also completed the Chicago Marathon twice for Team One Step with plans for a third this next fall.
Meet Your Leaders
Coby was diagnosed with ALL leukemia at 18 months old. After 3 years of chemotherapy and 5 years of remission, he was declared cancer-free at the age of 9. During his last year of remission, Coby’s mom heard about camp from a friend and, much to his despair, told Coby he was going. He had never been away from home longer than a day and was terrified at the notion of spending a week with kids he didn’t know but by the end of his first week ever at camp, Coby was begging his Mom to let him stay another week! After that he was hooked, and didn’t miss another year of camp. Coby has now been involved with Camp One Step for over 17 years from being a camper to a counselor with various programs and as medical staff!
I want to apply, what happens next?
Apply Online
3-5 Months Before Camp
- Confirmation of application sent immediately from UltraCamp.
- Camp communication about application status & next steps within 1-2 weeks of registration closing.
- Start collecting materials to complete application.
Submit Materials
1-2 Months Before Camp
- Work with your medical team to complete physical exam & obtain immunization records.
- Send in physical, immunizations, & insurance information to Camp.
- Explore transportation options.
Get Ready for Camp!
1-2 Weeks Before Camp
- If on waitlist, get updates leading up to camp.
- Receive packing list and important schedule details.
- Learn about check in/out & drop off/pick up details & times.
A Day in the Life of a Camper
We know no two days of camp are the same, but many of our overnight experiences offer a similar day in the life of a camper!