Camps for Children With Thalassemia
March 1, 2018 – CAF is happy to provide information about camps for children with serious medical conditions including thalassemia. This is provided for informational purposes so that parents/patients can know about possible options they may wish to consider. CAF does not endorse one camp over another.
The Painted Turtle
The Painted Turtle is a camp in Lake Hughes, California for children with special medical conditions and their families. They host a variety of camps throughout the year and will be hosting a summer camp for children with thalassemia, hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease from July 18-22.
The Painted Turtle has a full-time medical staff and a 24-hour medical center to ensure that children receive all necessary treatments for the duration of the camp. Any child who meets the camp’s medical requirements and receives physician approval will have the opportunity to attend. Every camper attends free of charge.
To apply, visit www.thepaintedturtle.org or contact the Camper Admission Office at 661-724-1550.
The Double H Ranch
The Double H Ranch is a camp located in Lake Luzerne, NY (in the Adirondack Mountains) for children with special medical conditions including thalassemia.
The Ranch offers seven 6-day residential sessions between June and August. There is an on-site medical team and a 24-hour medical center to ensure that children receive necessary medical treatment. Any child who meets the camp’s medical requirements and receives physician approval will have the opportunity to attend. Every camper attends free of charge.
The Double H Ranch also offers a series of Family Programs in addition to its Summer Camps. These programs may be ideal for children who would like to experience the camp environment, but who are not yet ready to leave their families behind. The Family Programs are designed for campers with serious medical conditions, ages 5-21 years old, along with accompanying family members. Double H Ranch is planning a Hematology/Oncology Family Weekend this May 4-6. Campers and their families are invited to attend this session free-of-charge. Admission to the program is first-come, first-served, so be sure to apply as soon as possible.
Further information about these programs is available on the Double H Ranch website at: www.doublehranch.org.
Camp Korey
Camp Korey is a camp located in Mt. Vernon, Washington for children living with life-altering medical conditions. They offer a series of summer camp sessions for patients with general diagnoses including thalassemia. Campers between the ages 7-16 can come and enjoy weeklong sessions of fun and adventure. Camp Korey is free of charge to all campers. Further information about this program is available on the Camp Korey website at: http://campkorey.org.
Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
The Hole in the Wall Gang is a camp located in Ashford, CT for children with special medical conditions. They offer a series of summer camp sessions for patients with General Diagnoses – including thalassemia – throughout the summer. Campers must be between the ages of 7 and 15 to participate. The Hole in the Wall Gang has a full-time medical staff and a 24-hour medical center to ensure that children receive any necessary treatments while they are at camp. Any child who meets the camp’s medical requirements and receives physician approval will have the opportunity to attend. Every camper attends free of charge. Further information about this program is available on the Hole in the Wall Gang website at: http://www.holeinthewallgang.org/.
Roundup River Ranch
Roundup River Ranch is located along the Colorado River in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Roundup River Ranch serves children ages 17 and under who have been diagnosed with a serious illness including thalassemia. This camp provides summer sessions based on each camper’s medical needs as well as several family camps. The medical team is filled with nurses and physicians who specialize in caring for children who have the medical conditions they serve. Nurses and doctors are available and on call 24 hours a day while campers are on site. For further information about this program, please visit: http://www.roundupriverranch.org.
Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a camp located in Randleman, North Carolina. Victory Junction caters to children with chronic medical conditions or serious illness including thalassemia. This camp is available to children ages 6-16. Victory Junction provides summer sessions, family weekends, and young adult weekends, which focus on individuals from 18-22 years of age who have aged out of traditional camp programs. Victory Junction is free of charge to all children and families. Victory Junction’s medical team carefully reviews each child’s medical record to ensure that all activities the camper participates in are medically appropriate. For further information about this program, please visit: https://victoryjunction.org.
North Star Reach
North Star Reach is a camp located in Pinckney, Michigan. North Star Reach serves children with serious health challenges including thalassemia. This camp offers summer sessions for children ages 7-15 from June to August. This camp also provides Teen Week for campers that are 16 and 17 years old. Children and their families are able to enjoy this experience free of charge. For further information about this program, please visit: https://www.northstarreach.org .
Camp Holiday Trails
Camp Holiday Trails is located in Charlottesville, VA and welcomes children ages 7-17 with special medical conditions including thalassemia. The 75-acre campground includes a medical facility and pharmacy, as well as medical staff of over 50 physicians, nurses, pharmacists, medical students, residents and volunteers. Camp Holiday Trails also offers sessions for families, allowing family bonding time through fun activities. For more information and to apply, visit www.campholidaytrails.org.
Camp Boggy Creek
Camp Boggy Creek is a camp located in Eustis, Florida. This camp provides a free and medically sound camp environment for children living with serious illnesses including thalassemia. Children ages 7-16 with certain specified medical conditions are eligible to apply. Camp Boggy Creek offers weekly summer sessions for children and family retreat programs in the spring and fall. Camp Boggy Creek provide full time physicians and nurses while campers are on the property that specializes caring for children with serious medical conditions. For more information, please visit: http://www.boggycreek.org.
Flying Horse Farms
Flying Horse Farms is located just outside of Mt. Gilead, Ohio. The camp facilities are spread over 200 wooded acres and include 22 camp buildings two lakes. In addition to a 24-hour medical facility with a full medical staff, the camp features a boating/fishing harbor, vegetable garden, amphitheater, and archery range among other activities. Children from age 8-15 with a variety of medical conditions, including thalassemia, are welcome to apply. Campers attend free of charge. For more information, visit: www.flyinghorsefarms.org.