Camp
Children living with serious illnesses face difficult emotional and social challenges, including higher rates of anxiety and depression. They must learn life skills to help manage their illness, stay as healthy as possible, and cope with future obstacles.
Camp
In partnership with Paul Newman’s SeriousFun Children’s Network we offer camp experiences for children living with serious illness in Ethiopia, Haiti, and Vietnam.
We provide opportunity for children to access residential camp (4-5 days away from home), day camp and family weekend activities that create deep and meaningful impact, increased knowledge, and create strong and lasting bonds with peers who face similar struggles.
An outcomes evaluation, in partnership with San Diego State University, exploring the impact of camp programming in Ethiopia and Vietnam found that campers build stronger peer and family relationships, take their medication correctly and consistently (improved adherence), and show an increase in positive health and hygiene behaviors.
The Impact of Camp
Improved adherence to medication: leading to a higher quality of life, and a normalization of routine in their daily lives.
Improved peer and family relationships: building positive youth development skills.
Improved emotional health and wellbeing: tackling together the tough issues youth face, including social stigma, depression, sexual and reproductive health, and false information about their illness. This leads to increased resilience, greater self-esteem, and an overall improved sense of wellbeing.
