Managing Hemophilia Hemophilia And Kids:
About Summer Camps
When Diego Madero was just seven years old, his mother learned about hemophilia summer camps.
The thought of sending a seven year old with hemophilia away to summer camp was nerve racking for the family, but they decided the experience would be beneficial for Diego.
Now a 22-year-old college student and camp counselor, Diego credits summer camp with helping to mold him into the independent young man he is today. "With hemophilia, I have a little fire in me," Diego says. "I remember feeling that for the first time at camp, with the older boys telling me to try new camp related activities. I don't have to let hemophilia hold me back."
A Proud Tradition
The first summer camp for children with hemophilia was established as a pilot project in 1969, with the goals of giving children with hemophilia opportunities for physical activities, social interaction and learning to self-infuse. That week-long project proved to be an “overwhelming success”.1
In the years since, hemophilia camps have become increasingly popular and often are one month long. Today, the National Hemophilia Foundation and local chapters sponsor over 40 hemophilia camps.
Hemophilia Camps: Life-Changing Benefits
For many children, camp is the first time that they have been around other children and adults with hemophilia. This camaraderie provides campers with a sense of relief that they are not the only ones with hemophilia and with an opportunity to share with others. Counselors and staff encourage children to talk about everything from feelings about hemophilia to practical tips for coping. As a result, children emerge from camp as stronger, more self-reliant individuals.1
Focus On Self-Infusing
Learning self-infusion continues to be an important benefit of hemophilia camp. While it is not a requirement, camp directors and staff encourage children as young as age 7 to learn to self-infuse.* For many children, seeing their peers self-infuse is a strong incentive to learning.
Camps for families often introduce parents to the concept of infusing at home, which can have a life-changing impact. Learning to infuse provides families with a greater sense of control and independence.
How To Sign Up For Hemophilia Camps
If you'd like to enroll your child or your whole family in hemophilia camp, contact your local chapter or
treatment center. If you want to learn more about the offering of camps, the National Hemophilia Foundation offers a summer camp directory with information on camps, their costs, contacts, and more.
If you are an older teen interested in becoming a counselor, call your local camp and ask if you can sign up for a counselor-in-training or junior counselor program.
*Note: You should be trained on how to do infusions by your hemophilia treatment center or your doctor.
Note: ThereForYou.com does not recommend a particular treatment for specific individuals and recommends that you consult your treatment center or physician before pursuing any course of treatment.
References
- Boutaugh M and Patterson PC. Summer camp for hemophiliacs. Am J Nurs. 1977;77(8):1288-91.
