Spring Break
Brody School of Medicine hosts summer camp for ill children
Camp Rainbow and Camp Hope gives children a safe summer activity
Nia Richardson
Issue date: 6/18/08 Section: News
| |
|
The program is divided into separate camps; Camp Rainbow for children with cancer and chronic blood disorders and Camp Hope for children with sickle cell anemia. The camps are being held at the same time at the Don Lee Center on the Neuse River near Arapahoe, NC.
Throughout the week, the children will have the opportunity to participate in camp activities such as arts, music, sailing and kayaking, all within a medically monitored environment that has been designed to meet the children's needs.
"This is an opportunity for them to forget about the routine of being sick, like having to take medicine and see doctors, and just be a kid," said Jacquelyn Sauls, Camp Rainbow's Director.
Along with fun and activities, the children will participate in educational sessions to learn about their illnesses and how they can explain them to others.
They will also have a chance to interact with other children who have the same diseases and been through treatment processes.
"The kids that have already been through chemotherapy and other treatments are coming on the other side to help the newly diagnosed kids," Sauls said.
Camps Rainbow and Hope were started in order to fill the need of a summer activity for sick children who could not attend a regular summer camp. Students and physicians from ECU serve as volunteer counselors for the camps. The camps are nonprofit and are free of cost to participants.
Camps Rainbow and Hope will be in session from June 15-21, and are made possible by the Children's Miracle Network, the ECU Medical & Health Sciences Foundation, the Optimist Club of Garner, Dr. Linda Willis, Calvenia "C.J." Moore and members of the community.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastacarolinian.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
owen
posted 6/19/08 @ 12:09 PM EST
Having spent many a summer working with Hope and Rainbow, I can honestly say that this program impacts the staff as well as the campers. It is a fantastic opportunity that shapes and forms a camp staff into the types of people I would want looking after my kids when they are away for a week. (Continued…)
Post a Comment