named programs · 10 · from sources
What they call their work
Bereavement Family Camp
Weekend programs for families coping with the loss of a child to serious illness, offering support and healing
Brothers & Sisters Camp
Four-day camp for siblings of children with serious illness, currently available to families from Ireland and the UK
Camper Leadership Programme
Leadership development program for returning campers to build life skills and peer support
Children's Summer Camps
Residential summer camps for children aged 7 to 15 with serious illnesses, offering therapeutic recreation in a medically supported environment
Family Camp
Weekend camps for entire families affected by serious illness, providing shared experiences in cottages with private accommodations
Outreach Programmes
Therapeutic activities delivered in hospitals and schools for children unable to attend camp
Residential TY Programme
Team-building program for secondary school students that educates about serious illness while strengthening class bonds
Sibling Camp
Seven-day summer camp for siblings aged 7 to 17 of children undergoing treatment for serious illness
Teen Camp
Specialized summer camps for adolescents aged 13 to 17 living with serious illness
Young Adult Programme
Program for young adults aged 18 to 24 who have had cancer, run in partnership with the Irish Cancer Society
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Program Evaluation and Impact Research 1 activity
- Conducting social impact research on therapeutic camp programsConducted an independent social impact study using data from approximately 1,500 participants to evaluate the organization’s impact over its first 30 years, assessing outcomes for children and families affected by serious illness.
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Pediatric Medical Care and Research Support 1 activity
- Funding programs and activities for children living with serious illness and their familiesAwards grants to charitable organizations to support programs and services for children with serious illnesses and their families, as part of its broader mission to expand access and impact.
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Recreational and Emotional Support Programs for Children with Serious Illnesses 1 activity
- Operating free therapeutic camp and support programs for children and families affected by serious illnessProvides free residential camps and year-round support programs for children and families affected by cancer and other serious illnesses, including medically endorsed therapeutic recreation, psychosocial support, and 24-hour on-site medical and nursing care. Since 1994, these programs have served over 127,000 children and families in Ireland and other European countries.
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Community Service and Charitable Outreach 1 activity
- Participating in advocacy campaigns to support Irish charitiesJoined the We Act campaign in 2023 to promote the value and impact of Irish charities and community groups, advocating for stronger civic sector support.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$147K
Contributions & grants$109K74%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$38K
expenses
Total expenses$202K
Program expenses25%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising60%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$50K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$239K
Cash$239K
Investments$0
Liabilities$107K
Net assets$133K
Liquid reserves14.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +452.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 5
- DEE AHEARN — CEO
- NIALL LEDWIDGE — DIRECTOR
- PHIL BRADY — TREASURER & CHAIR
- TIM O'DEA — DIRECTOR
- TONY DUNNE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 15
Who they work with
- Barretstown Partner — Collaborates with door-to-door fundraising teams to support program funding.
- Barry Keoghan Partner — Ambassador who helped launch Aladina Studios and supports Barretstown’s outreach and visibility.
- Community Foundation for Ireland Funder — Receives funding support from the Community Foundation for Ireland RTÉ Does Comic Relief Fund through the We Act campaign.
- Gordon D'Arcy Partner — Longtime Ambassador who supports Barretstown through event participation and fundraising initiatives.
- Irish Cancer Society Partner — Partnership to deliver the Young Adult Programme for young adults aged 18–24 who have or have had cancer.
- Kathryn Thomas Partner — Ambassador who supports Barretstown through media visibility and public advocacy.
- Keith Barry Partner — Ambassador who engages with campers through magic performances and supports awareness of Barretstown.
- Mack Hansen Partner — Ambassador who raises the profile of Barretstown and encourages youth volunteerism.
- Ms. Sabina Coyne Higgins Partner — Patron who supports awareness and advocacy for Barretstown's programs for children affected by serious illness.
- Prof. Owen Smith Partner — Medical Patron who advocates for the integration of Barretstown’s programs into cancer treatment as a component of psychosocial care.
- SeriousFun Children’s Network Network — Member of the global network of camps founded by Paul Newman for children with serious illnesses.
- SeriousFun Global Network Network — Member of the SeriousFun Global Network, a global community of organizations providing camp experiences for children with serious illnesses.
- Tadhg Beirne Partner — Ambassador who promotes Barretstown events and raises awareness through public engagement.
- We Act Partner — Partnered with the We Act campaign in 2023 to celebrate the impact of Ireland's charities and community groups.
- Whitebarn Consulting Partner — Partnered with Whitebarn Consulting to conduct an independent social impact study on Barretstown's programs and their effects.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Challenge by Choicemethodology: challenge_by_choiceBy allowing participants to voluntarily engage in activities at their own comfort level, the organization fosters personal growth and confidence, because self-directed challenges reduce pressure and enable authentic, incremental progress in a supportive setting.
- Positive Identity Reinforcementmethodology: positive_labelingBy using positive labeling and reflective practices, the organization helps campers internalize personal strengths and connect experiences to real-life growth, because recognizing and affirming existing qualities enhances self-awareness, self-esteem, and lasting behavioral change.
- Psychosocial Support as Clinical Interventionmethodology: psycho-social_well-being_as_treatmentBy integrating camp experiences into the treatment journey for children with serious illness, the organization improves healing outcomes, because psychosocial well-being—supported through fun, peer connection, and emotional safety—is a critical component of holistic care and treatment adherence.
- Therapeutic Recreation Modelmethodology: therapeutic_recreationBy engaging children in structured, fun-based activities grounded in occupational therapy, psychology, and adventure-based counseling, the organization improves psychosocial well-being and supports recovery, because experiential participation rebuilds confidence, trust, and self-esteem in a medically supported environment.