Feeling like a “normal” child, breathing fresh clean pine-filled air,
making a “craft” on the porch of a mountain cabin, laughing with new
friends, positive adult role models whose priority is to show kids a good
time... Nothing can match a good camp experience for a child. Yet, many
parents of a child with cancer ask themselves…
- Why should I send my child to camp?
- What about my child’s health and
treatment?
- How do I know if my child is ready?
- What age is best?
As a parent, only you know what is in the
best interest of your child. Our hope is that this simple guide will share
information to help answer your questions and guide you in making the best
choices for you and your child.
Why Camp is Important?
Physicians, nurses and social
workers agree that providing your child with “normal” childhood
experiences that are in a medically and emotionally supported environment
can help the child with cancer cope with their diagnosis, treatments and
recovery. Structured and supportive experiences like camp can support the
needs of the your child’s siblings and aid in reducing stress on the
family.
The Goals of Camp
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times
is committed to creating a long-lasting positive impact on children with
cancer and their families. We do this by providing medically supervised,
cost-free camps run by only the best staff. Campers find new friends, a
chance to experience independence in a supportive and safe environment
with fun-filled programs.
Your child’s health &
camp medical care
Parents review their child’s
medical needs with a nurse before each camp session. Camp doctors and
nurses – all volunteers from referring hospitals – pay close attention to
each camper’s medical needs, and are available 24 hours a day to meet your
child’s medical needs.
The camp “Med Shed” health care center is
equipped to support the medical needs of campers and includes an
Examination Room, Resting Areas, Medication Dispensary and Catheter Care
Cabin.
How to know if you and
your child are ready for a camp experience?
- Consider your child’s
interest.
Has your child voiced an interest in
camp? Even without a child showing interest, parents can suggest and
support a child’s successful independent experience. Having positive
independent childhood experiences are important in the normal
development of a child.
- Consider your child’s
age.
Family camps are best suited for younger
children younger. Youth camps best serve children 7 years and older as
they develop the need to have independent experiences.
Has your child had previous experience
away from home?
Has he /she spent at least a few
recreational weekends away from home? What are those separations like
for both of you? Successful sleepovers with friends and relatives can be
great preparation to a positive youth camp session.
- Consider where your
child is in his/her treatment.
Patients, families and siblings can find
great support and hope when surrounded by others, like themselves who
are successfully meeting their challenges of a cancer diagnosis and
treatments. Consult with your child’s doctor or nurse.
- Consider what type of
camp session would be best
- Family Camps provide a weekend of fun
and support for the entire family.
- Weekend Youth Sessions (4-day) are
offered in the beginning of the year and are a great opportunity for
beginning campers to try out an independent camp experience.
- Week-long Youth Camps (7-day) are
offered in the summer. Sessions for patients accompanied by their
brothers and sisters; sessions for just the patients and sessions for
siblings alone are offered.
Be sure to send a clear message that camp
is a good thing! Your children look to you for guidance. Your
understanding the importance of safe and fun camp experience will go a
long way to helping them feel “O.K” about attending camp.
Let us help! Would you like to talk to
another parent or camper about their Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times
experience? Call us at (800) 625-7295. Would you or your child like more
information? Call us at (800) 625-7295.
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