Barretstown offers free, specially designed camps and programmes for children and their families living with a serious illness – supported behind the scenes by 24 hour on site medical and nursing care.
At Barretstown we will look after the physical and emotional well-being of an ill child by creating a carefree and safe, medically supported environment where they can make new friends, share experiences – and continue their treatment if they need to.
Our camps and programmes have a profound effect and lasting impact on our campers and their families. After participating, children go home with increased confidence, self-esteem and more importantly the reassurance that happiness is not just for healthy children.
“While Barretstown will not discriminate against campers, families and staff based on gender, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background, there may be individual cases whereby our site, infrastructure and staff resources cannot accommodate certain requests. Examples may include, but are not limited to High Acuity Medical Needs, Gender Identity, 1 on 1 Behaviour Support and Mental Health”.
To see the policy in full click here
Our range of camps are offered to all family members living with a serious illness to include Family Camps and Brothers and Sisters Camp. Our summer camps are tailormade to different age groups including Summer Children’s Camp (7-14) and Summer Teen Camp (13-17). Our Bereavement Camp takes place over two weekends in Spring and Autumn and our Haemophilia Camp runs at the end of October.
- Childhood cancer
- Haematology related disease
- Immunodeficiency related disease
(Ireland only)
- Nephrology
- Rheumatology
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
Barretstown camp serves children with serious medical conditions. The camp setting and the close living quarters can be conducive to the spread of disease. Some campers may not be able to be fully immunised because of their underlying disease process and these children will not be excluded from the camp programme. However, if a parent/guardian decided not to vaccinate their child due to their beliefs (for their own reasons) these children will not be permitted to attend camp.
Here are the range of camps we offer at Barretstown. ...
The family weekend camps mainly take place during the spring and autumn months. Family camps mean the whole family can come together to Barretstown to enjoy our activities and programmes. Families stay together in one of our cosy cottages, you may be sharing with another family but you will have your own rooms and bathroom.
Our summer camps take place from June to August, and are split into two age groups 7-13 and 11-15. Parents do not attend summer camps, children come to camp on their own and stay in our cosy cottages with other children their own age.
At our Brothers and Sisters, camp children between the ages of 7 and 17 have the opportunity to attend Barretstown together for a 4 day camp, without their parents. Currently, this camp is only available to Irish and UK children. This camp runs in the spring time, usually over the Easter break.
Siblings Camp takes place mid-summer for 7 days, and is for siblings who have a brother or sister (aged infant to 17) who are currently being treated for, or recovering from, a serious illness, parents do not attend this camp.
Our Teens camps are specially designed camps for campers aged 13-17 living with a serious illness. There are two Teen camps each summer, one in early June and the second camp in mid-July.
The Haemophilia Camp is a specially designed programme for children and teenagers aged 7-17 who live with a bleeding disorder. It is an opportunity to experience the magic of Barretstown and its range of activities and programmes, while also meeting other young people with a similar condition.
The bereavement weekends at Barretstown offer the whole family a supportive environment within which they can spend quality time together, find support, share their experience of loss and find ways to look to the journey ahead.
The Camper and Friend day runs in July, and is for children aged between 7-17 years. A past camper can return to Barretstown and bring a special friend with them, but not a brother or sister.
These one day camps help campers remain connected to Barretstown, and are a chance for families to reconnect too and meet families in similar circumstances in their geographical area.
Download our everything you need to know guide to guide you on your journey with Barretstown ...
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions about camp. If you have any additional questions please let us know by getting in contact
Barretstown has a fully equipped medical facility on site called the Med Shed. It is housed in a beautifully restored stone cottage, overlooking the tranquil 'secret garden'.
Barretstown serves children from Ireland, the UK and throughout Europe. Find out more about our International campers and how to apply to come to Barretstown Here
You can't come to camp? That's no problem, Barretstown will come to you! ...
By offering unique, creative and developmentally appropriate activities and interactions, we help to restore joy and laughter to children in hospitals and schools.