Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.

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The Periwinkle Foundation

Camp YOLO · About this organization

What you get

Free weekend camp for your teen and one sibling.

How to start

Email Program Director Larry Geiger at lgeiger@periwinklefoundation.org to ask for a reminder when the January 2027 application becomes available.

Good to know

  • Request the new application in January 2027 rather than sending the fall 2026 form.
  • The last packet required an immunization record with MMR documentation, with other vaccine exceptions reviewed individually.

The details, as published

B-ALL is in scope Application Window Closed

Free twice-yearly weekend camp for eligible Texas Children's teen patients ages 13–17 and one sibling; the 2026 fall deadline has passed.

Go to the official program ↗

What help you may get

Camps And Retreats

Free Camp YOLO admission

Free admission to Camp YOLO, with supervised camp activities and medically supported staffing.

Noncash help · Per Event

3 camp days per award

Can cover

  • camp admission
  • activities
  • medical support
  • Free to eligible campers.
  • Repeat-attendance limits are not published.

Peer And Emotional Support

Camp YOLO peer and family connection

Your teen and one sibling can spend camp time with peers who understand serious illness, sharing activities and encouragement.

Noncash help · Per Event

Can cover

  • peer connection
  • Free to eligible campers.
  • Repeat-attendance limits are not published.

Why this may help

Peer And Emotional Support: The camp brings participants together for emotional encouragement as well as recreation.

Check the main eligibility rules

Diagnosis

B-ALL is in scope. B-ALL falls within the published oncology or cancer-and-hematology scope.

Age

Age 13 to age 17, measured at service date.

Treatment status

Active Treatment, Maintenance Treatment, Post Treatment, Survivorship

  • Camp is free of charge.

Where you live and where your child is treated

Where your family lives

Residence coverage is not published clearly; confirm with the program.

  • Site publishes no residence rule; eligibility is tied to treatment at Texas Children's Hospital service lines (see treatment location), and the camp venue is not a residence restriction.

Where your child is treated

Treatment must be through: The Periwinkle Foundation partner hospitals.

  • The teen must have been seen within the follow-up time recommended by their Texas Children's service-line provider.
  • Texas Children's Hospital eligible service lines
Where the service, camp, stay, or experience happens
  • Camp For All — Camp venue only; not a residence-eligibility rule. — Burton, Texas

How to get started

Does a social worker or care team need to start it? No. A required care-team start is not published; the family can use the available route below.

Who can start: Parent Or Guardian

  1. Review the current official camp page and confirm that intake is open before preparing personal or medical information.

Ways to apply or ask

  • Online Portal · Open form or page — Camp management portal; the page says applications open in January 2027.
  • Downloadable Form · Open form or page — From the fall 2026 packet, which the program page no longer links; wait for the January 2027 application.
  • Mail — Return address: The Periwinkle Foundation, ATTN Camp YOLO, 3400 Bissonnet St, Suite 185, Houston, TX 77005. From the fall 2026 packet, which the program page no longer links; wait for the January 2027 application.
  • Fax · 713-807-0291 — From the fall 2026 packet, which the program page no longer links; wait for the January 2027 application.
  • Email · lgeiger@periwinklefoundation.org — Program Director Larry Geiger; contact route, not an application route.
  • Phone · 713-807-0191 — Program Director Larry Geiger; information line, not an application route.

Documents to prepare

  • Most recent immunization record including MMR documentation.

Availability and timing

ProgramActive
ApplicationsApplication Window Closed
Funding or spaceLimited
Application windowSeasonal
Last checkedSep 26, 2026
  • The page says applications open in January 2027 for the Spring (April 9–11, 2027) and Fall (September 24–26, 2027) camps.
  • The 2026 packet stated approximately 150 teens attend.
  • Applications open in January 2027; no exact opening date or deadline is printed.
  • Camp runs twice a year: "Twice a year (April & September)".

Limitations and things to confirm

  • Your teen must receive care through Texas Children's cancer and hematology, cardiology, rheumatology, renal or retrovirology services.
  • One sibling ages 13–17 may attend with your teen, but cousins and friends cannot take that place.
  • The fall 2026 deadline was July 30, so ask for the new January 2027 application.
  • The last packet required an immunization record with MMR documentation, with other vaccine exceptions reviewed individually.
  • GPT Pro run61 (2026-09-25): What exact January 2027 opening date and deadline will apply, and will the new packet retain the previous medical and vaccine documentation rules?

Official sources

Program details were last verified Sep 26, 2026. Availability can change, so check the official program before applying.

Official program