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Summer Camps: Keeping Kids Safe while Staying Active
When sending your child to summer camp, it is important to be sure that the camp is aware of your child's SADS condition and is properly prepared to respond in the event of an emergency. Summer camp is something everyone can enjoy with a few easy precautions, including making sure staff are CPR trained. By making sure camp staff members are aware of your child’s medications, AED (where indicated) and care plan, you know that your kids are having fun and making friends in a safe and healthy environment.
While kids don’t need to attend camps that cater to SADS-specific conditions, many families have told us that specialty camps create a unique experience and can help to address support issues that regular camps are not as well-equipped to address.
If you have a great recommendation (heart-related or otherwise) for a summer you’re your child has enjoyed, please contact Rachel at Rachel@sads.org or call 801-272-3023 to share; we’ll be sure to include it on our website.
The following is a list of camps for kids with heart conditions that provide the curriculum and activities we would recommend to any SADS family looking to show their child that they are not alone in their efforts to live and thrive. Alabama - WIRED Together (www.facebook.com/pages/Wired-Together/146914571044) Specifically for kids and teens with implated cardio defibrillators (ICDs). California - Camp Del Corazon (www.campdelcorazon.org) "Camp del Corazon is a non-profit organization that provides year-round experiential opportunities for children faced with the challenges of growing up and living with heart disease. We provide a residential summer camp experience for children ages 7-17 as well as programs that offer opportunities for growth, education and support for children, young adults and the families who are living with heart disease."
California and Hawaii - Camp Taylor (www.kidsheartcamp.org) "Camp Taylor offers several free programs for young people and families of children with heart disease. Our flagship program is our well known medically supervised free residential summer camp sessions. We offer 5 camp sessions catering to the under-served population of pediatric cardiology. Camp programs are offered in the states of California and Hawaii and serve hundreds of families from across the United States each year. Our unique camp programs provide the calming surroundings of nature & nurturing, a safe haven a world away from the daily cares and challenges that life-threatening heart disease can bring." Chicago - Chicagoland Cardiac Connections (www.cccheart.org) Florida - Camp Boggy Creek (http://www.boggycreek.org/campers/camper-schedule/) Georgia - Camp Braveheart- (https://www.choa.org/camps/camp-braveheart)
Louisiana - Camp Bon Coeur- (www.heartcamp.com) Massachusettes - Pacer Camp (http://thriving.childrenshospital.org/summer-camp-fun-kids-pacemakersicds/) "This special camp provides a unique opportunity for children with implanted pacemakers and defibrilators, many of whom also have congenital heart disease, to experience organized activities and outdoor adventure that they may not be able to at regular camps. In the past six years, camps have been a tremendous success, and continue to be an anticipated highlight for many children. Camp is a magical place where children explore the outdoors, try unique and challenging activities, make new friends, and learn about themselves. For many children, camp is one of the most memorable experiences of their lives."
Michigan - Young @ Heart "Come join us for an event celebrating and educating those touched by ICD's. Our goal is to educate in a festive yet relaxed atmoshphere while connecting with others who share similar experiences. This event is free of charge and graciously provided by Medtronic Inc."
Minnesota - Camp Odayin (www.campodayin.org)
"Camp Odayin provides a residential camping experience for young people who have heart disease, where campers discover outdoor, athletic, and creative activites in a safe and medically supervised environment. Our state-of-the-art facility is fully staffed with highly trained pediatric cardiologists, cardiac nurses, and a full cadre of trained counselors and program directors. Campers enjoy horseback riding, boating, nature and much more while fostering lifelong relationships among youth who share similar health, emotional and social concerns."
New York - Dreams From the Heart Camp (www.dreamsfromtheheartcamp.org/)
Mid-Atlantic Region - Camp Heartbeat (www.brainycamps.com) Camp Heartbeat offers children and teens with pacemakers, arrhythmias, ICDs and congenital heart disease, ages 7-16, five days and four nights of summer fun, education, and social connections in a safe and supervised environment. At Camp Heart Beat, children and teens gain a better understanding of their condition, strengths and self-worth.