Camp Holiday Trails

Sam is eight years old with diabetes. He just spent his second summer at Camp Holiday Trails and shared, "Camp makes me feel special and normal all at once!" Camp Holiday Trails provides positive camping experiences for children with special medical needs, like Sam.

Established in 1973 by local pediatricians, Camp Holiday Trails believe in celebrating the camper, not the illness. Each summer, kids ages 5-17, all with a special medical need, come from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region to "CHT" to swim in the pool, canoe in the pond, climb the rock wall, make friendship bracelets and make memories to last a lifetime. We provide a traditional rustic camp experience - we fish with real worms! - so our kids can be, well, just kids.
 
Behind the scenes over 50 medical volunteers rotate through our Med Korner checking glucose levels, administering breathing treatments, changing catheters - even treating the occasional homesickness.
 
When summer is over, CHT offers spring and fall Family Camps - weekend camps to embrace the entire family. Family Hemophilia Camp, Family Cardio Camp the...list goes on. Families gather around the campfire talking about insurance, working with school nurses, whether or not their kids can go to grandma's house for a sleepover, while the kids join our Camp Staff in games and activities.
 
With our close supervision ratios, medical supplies, focus on a healthy menu featuring local food and all of our adapted activities, CHT spends about $2,500 per Camper for each two-week session of Camp. Having a child with a chronic illness has enormous emotional and financial burdens, and the average family pays just $120. This means we need the help of our donors and supporters to provide the balance - over $500,000 each year.
 
To meet our kids means you know the worth of the Camp experience it lasts for a lifetime. CHT Campers have greater self-esteem, develop independence, and learn to better manage their own healthcare.
 
From IVs to archery, glucose tests to swim tests, Camp Holiday Trails is a special place that provides respite to families and the opportunity for freedom and fun for our special Campers. As one wise Camper shared,"CHT is not the real world, but it is what the real world should be."<
 
Want to help send a child with a special medical need to Camp?
 
You can help kids like Sam by designating Camp Holiday Trails, CVC #3609 when you make your pledge for 2011.

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