It may be one of the most unique camps in the country and it's located right here in Montana. All of the campers have one thing in common. They are all facing cancer. Camp Mak-A-Dream is located just west of Helena, far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This unique camp is in the small town of Gold Creek, but this is not your average summer camp.

Kay Bourns has been coming to Camp Mak-A-Dream for seven years now. She says, "It's a magical place and there are no strangers here."
Bourns was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 10 years ago. Bourns notes, "We are treated like queens here. They make it such a special place. There's laughter and many of these women are in treatment, they continue to be in treatment and some of them have passed away a couple weeks after camp, but yet, they're here to laugh."

It's a support system for those who share a similar life changing experience, something many women can't find back at home. Cecelia Jackson, a volunteer from San Diego says, "One time I was speaking to one of the women at camp and she told me, when I came here, I thought I came here to learn how to die, and she said but I didn't, I learned how to live."

Camp Mak-A-Dream was started 18 years ago after a couple donated their Montana ranch to build a camp for children and adults with cancer.
Now, women with ovarian cancer are enjoying the camp free of charge and learning how to deal with the unexpected side effects of chemotherapy.

Heidi Epp traveled all the way from Italy, to enjoy the camp. She says, "The exchange of info and stories is unbelievable and priceless. I've just met a bunch of people here who have survived 10 or more years which is very encouraging because the statistics don't show that."

But these women are hoping to beat the statistics and take charge in the fight against cancer. Mollie Whitelaw, from Louisville, Ky says, "The staff, the volunteers and the women themselves are all my heroes. I sort of want to emulate them when I grow up, I want to be like they are.
Hopefully next year I get to come back, I would like to that much."

Camp Mak-A-Dream is cost-free to campers, thanks to corporate grants and money from anonymous donors all over the country. If you or someone you know is interested in attending the camp, all you have to do is fill out an application on their website. You can find that at http://www.campdream.org/ You can also call them at (406) 549-5987.