Summer camps
From Pahwiki
Camps help support friendships and activities with peers, which is an important part of helping kids cope with chronic illness.
Planning for camp involves some investigation but the effort done in the beginning will prevent late night calls or dangerous situations for your child.
You want to check on the camps activities. You need to make sure your child will be comfortable with those activities and will be supervised by adults or skilled teens, if needed. If field trips are scheduled, what type of transportation is provided. Ask about the chaperones to camper ratio.
Make sure your child is aware of how much time they are spending away from home. The camp should have a first aid plan. They should know how far they are from medical facilities and if the center is a major trauma center than maybe nurses on site wouldn’t be necessary. Some camps have a physician or nurse always on-site.
Sport camps and adventure camps can be physically demanding and mentally challenging. Check to see how much physical activities will the campers be involved in.
Check to see if the camp is accredited with the American Camping Association. They have stringent health requirements.
The type of camp you choose should depend on your child’s needs. Some camps can handle very special dietary restrictions. Explain to the camp the specifics about the medications your child is taking. Kids need their medications to have their best coping skills available. Staff can work the medications into the schedule. If IV medications are required, some camps have that ability and skill level.
You should ask your health insurance company whether or not your insurance is portable, and if your child needs to be seen by a doctor while at camp, what are the requirements.
Find out whether a child can call home if he or she is feeling homesick. Parents should speak with the counselors first and see if the camp staff can address the issue before picking them up.
Start with a realistic assessment of whether your child is ready for a sleep away camp. Talk frankly with your child before camp. Emphasize the fun things kids can do at camp.
Camp can be a good experience for both the child and parent to test that separation. Parents remind your child that it’s ok to miss being home. Parents may find it difficult to let go of your role as the caregiver. Take some time to do something you enjoy or spend time with your partner.
[edit] Pulmonary Hypertension Specific Summer Camps
Camp Boggy Creek: A “Hole in the Wall Gang Camp” which has multiple locations, camp week is free- this Florida location has taken care of PH kids before.
Double H Hole in the Woods Ranch
Federation for Children with Special Needs camp guide (summer fun 07) lower right hand side of home page.
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities has a summer camp resource
Dragonfly Heart Camp A new and exciting camp with a specific emphasis upon children with PAH.
Your local hospital may offer camps to children with chronic illness. Www.acacamps.org-American Camping Association Www.summercamp.org -National Camp Association
Some camps are free or others require a per day or weekly fee.
Some camps are geared for family members to stay as volunteer members or experience the camp together as a family. The amount of information available on line is extensive. You can narrow your choices to camps catering to kids with heart or lung disease. That may help you find the right camp for your child.
