"For all the kindness you have shown, For sympathy in sorrowing days, for friendship’s healing touch. With gratitude our hearts are full, though words cannot convey the tender thoughts and thankfulness we hold for you today.God bless you, and we thank you for your service."
From the family of an
Optimal Hospice Care patient
Supporting Excellence in Hospice Care
The Optimal Hospice Foundation is a non-profit organization established to commit its resources to activities which are intended to ensure hospice care and other compassionate programs are available for families facing a life-limiting illness with particular emphasis on the underinsured or uninsured population.
Kids Camp
The loss of a loved one touches each member of the family, including children. To help young people through their bereavement, Optimal Hospice Foundation created Kids Camp. This over-night summer camp program is specially designed for young people ages 8 - 16 that have experienced the loss of an immediate family member during the past year.
At Kids Camp, young people enjoy traditional camping activities, such as swimming and hiking, in an atmosphere where both staff and fellow campers understand their special needs. Kids Camp is currently held in the Bakersfield and Fresno areas and is open to the community. The Fresno Camp is held in mid July and the Bakersfield Camp is held in early August.
This innovative experience is available at no cost to families, thanks to generous support from the community. Camp participants may be referred by school counselors, healthcare providers, family members and other individuals.
Click on the Kids Camp link below for a look at what Kids Camp has to offer. Activities vary from camp to camp based on the facility, however the essence and message is the same. The video was made possible via a grant from the Kern Community Foundation.
Referrals can be submitted year-round using the form below.
Thank you to our 2014 Sponsors and Donors
- C.A.R.E. for Kids - Camp Sponsor
- American Legion Riders Chapter 20 Porterville - Camp Sponsor
- KGET TV 17 - Media Sponsor
- American General Media - Media Sponsor
- Alternative Care Bakersfield - Day Camp Sponsor
- Bakersfield Purple Thunder - Day Camp Sponsor
- Bakersfield West Rotary Foundation - Wrangler Sponsor
- Foundation for Medical Care of Kern County - Wrangler Sponsor
- Kaiser Permanente Kern County - Wrangler Sponsor
- MTS Solutions - Wrangler Sponsor
- Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Gamma XI Chapter Bakersfield - Friends of Kids Camp Sponsor
- In Memory of Chris Malicoat - Friends of Kids Camp Sponsor
- Jim & Cindy Eggert - Friends of Kids Camp Sponsor
- Dr. Corey Gonzales, CCPOA Wasco Chapter, Thiesen Dueker Financial, Kevin Ketsan, Robert S. Blair - Donors
- Bolthouse Farms - Food Donor
- Unity Center - Bakersfield, Chris Lawrence & Family, Bill Burgemaster, Fab 7 of Seven Oaks, Bakersfield Breakfast Lions - Meal Donors
If you are interested in being a sponsor for 2015 please contact Cherie Shoemake in the Foundation office at 661-716-8000 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 Kids Camp Referral Form | Forms may be submitted at any time for the next camp | 102 Kb |