Helping Children Soar - The Camp Effect
Due to the severity of some our campers conditions, they spend a good portion of their childhood in hospitals and doctor’s offices – and are often faced with times of fear, isolation and uncertainly. At times, they may miss school, field trips, and friends’ birthday parties. Most of them certainly miss the childhood experience of summer camp because most camps cannot care for their complex medical needs. These normal childhood opportunities, which can help children develop healthy self esteem, basic social skills and a bright outlook, may be decreased for children living with an illness. They not only miss out on experiences that other children have, but are often placed into a dependent role when they are sick, where many decisions are made for them.
Fortunately, the Hole in the Wall Camp experience often becomes an integral and continual part of the healing process for children and their families. At camp, it is our job to provide the children with the tools and resources they need to succeed. Our camps give these kids a chance to make their own choices, conquer new challenges, and learn how to take care of themselves. Ultimately, camp lifts kids up and they soar. Camp activities are intended to inspire children to realize their full potential, encourage team work and social connection, and boost self-efficacy and confidence. The combination of these experiences creates an optimism that propels them as they move forward in their lives.
Learn more about the positive effects our camps and programs have on the children we serve. Read our Outcome Studies.
Universal Accessibility
“Our daughter came to the magical place called Camp. It is the only place she’s been where people accept her for who she is. It’s the only place she’s been where all the activities are designed for her to be able to do them. She doesn’t have to sit anything out. She’s part of it all.”
--Parent of a 14-year-old with a heart disease
The camps are universally accessible. To ensure that every child can participate in all that is offered, the activity areas are designed to provide a safe, inviting and uplifting experience. For our children with sickle cell anemia, who are particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures, our camps heat their swimming pools and provide warming huts so they can swim and then stay warm the moment they exit the pool. Our camps have built universally accessible tree houses and high ropes courses that allow campers to explore and to experience the thrill and reward of reaching the top of the climbing wall or flying on the zip line. The goal at camp is that children do not have to think about their medical condition. At camp, the kids are all on an equal playing field where they thrive in their accomplishments and deepen their belief in themselves.