Cavett Kids Foundation

The Cavett Kids Foundation was founded in 1997 when Danny Cavett, a Chaplain for The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center, fulfilled his dream of creating a place where kids battling life-threatening and chronic illnesses can enjoy life while also learning how to cope with their diseases and developing the character needed for facing the challenges life had presented them. Over 100 patients with many different illnesses attended the first Camp Cavett summer camp. 

Over the next seven years, the organization continued to expand and was officially incorporated as Camp Cavett, Inc. in November of 2004 and received 501(c)(3) tax status August 31, 2005.  In September of 2008, the name of the organization was changed to the Cavett Kids Foundation to better represent the wide variety of programs offered.

Presently, the Cavett Kids Foundation supports and operates four camps, two ongoing programs and twenty-seven annual events at no cost to the patients and their families. All of the events are staffed with doctors and nurses to provide appropriate medical care for these ill children.  The Cavett Kids Foundation has over 500 recurring volunteers that touch the lives of over 20,000 kids and their families each year.   The organization operates out of OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and employs one full-time staff with an annual operating budget of approximately $200,000. 

 The Cavett Kids Foundation is the only organization in Oklahoma that provides such a broad variety of programs for kids with life-threatening and chronic illnesses while also providing foundational support for the children and their families through teaching character, coping skills and connection. Cavett Kids is proud of their ability to collaborate with other non-profit organizations by sharing resources and assisting in the planning and publicity of various events and camps.

The 3 C's

The "3 C's," Character, Coping, and Connection, are a very important part of all of our camps, events and programs.

Character is the first of our "3 C's."  Our camps are more than good cookouts, activities and having fun.  We strive for each camper to go home with a stronger sense of self-confidence, spirituality, and the ability to succeed despite all the obstacles they have faced in their short lives. Each year there is a central theme for all camps to help build character.  This year, the theme was "Encouragement: How to pass it on to to others and how to receive it." During the daily "Challenges," lead by Danny Cavett, the campers were given examples of encouragement and were literally "challenged" by Danny to encourage others.  There were incentive competitions for the campers who encouraged others the most.  Also, guest speakers come to camp to share their experiences and words of encouragement with the campers.  TJ Rushing, an Indianapollis Colts Kick-Off Returner, came to camp and was deeply touched by the kids.  After hanging out with the kids at camp for only one short hour, he opened his speech by saying, "You have forever changed me.  You guys are my heros."