Children's Health
Summer Season of Helping Children with Autism, Sickle Cell Disorder, and Respiratory Problems
By
Jun 14, 2010 - 2:26:54 PM

Summer Camp Shows Kids with Special Needs That They Are Just Like Everyone Else

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Pennsylvania – Celebrating five years as the Philadelphia region’s only summer camp catering to children with Autism, Chromosome Deficiency, Sickle Cell Disorder, Bleeding Disorders, and Respiratory Problems. Dragonfly Forest kicks off another summer season of programming designed to empower kids - whose lives are disrupted by one of the aforementioned illnesses or disorders - to do things they never dreamed they could do, in an environment that allows them to enjoy the activities of a "traditional" camp. Running from Monday, June 21, 2010 to Thursday, July 22, 2010 at The Westtown School in West Chester, PA, and broken up into five, 3-5 day sessions, Dragonfly Forest encourages these children, who spend much of their lives with adults, to be “just kids”, complete with early morning swims, boating in the afternoon, and evening campfires, amongst other things.

Says Executive Director Fred Weiner, “Dragonfly Forest is a magical place that is more than just camp; it is a place where these special kids come and learn that they are not their disease or disorder, where they learn independence and confidence, all while having loads of fun.”

Dragonfly Forest was founded in 2002 by Chairman and Multiple Sclerosis survivor Laura Jansen. On a trip out west, Jansen, who is confined to a wheelchair, wanted to go skiing and was able to in a device called a bi-ski - a sit ski with a molded bucket seat and two skis that can be skied independently. Upon finding herself on a mountain admiring the view with other skiers, she thought, "I am skiing, just like everyone else." This led Jansen to start a summer camp for children with serious diseases so they, too, could feel like ‘everyone else’. The first camp session, in 2005, was called Dragonfly Away, during which area children and volunteers were sent away to various regional camps for seriously ill children. In 2006, Dragonfly Forest had its first local session for 150 children with either sickle-cell disease or bleeding disorders.
While the Philadelphia region-based not-for-profit has run free camp programs for children with serious illnesses and disorders since its inception – particularly for children with Sickle Cell Disease, Persistent Asthma/Respiratory Issues and children with Bleeding Disorders - the Autism program is relatively new, having been introduced in 2008. The autism camp program was developed to provide a recreational and therapeutic camping experience for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Because of its uniqueness and positive outcomes, the autism program has garnered national attention on CNN.com and Time.com.

At Dragonfly Forest, the campers develop special relationships with each other and with their counselors; and hugs are part of the daily dietary requirements. Sadly, a child suffering from an illness or disorder typically has fewer chances to experience the wonders of everyday life. Dragonfly Forest is designed to fuel children with serious illnesses or disorders with memories that can sustain and inspire. The camp's primary goal is to help each child to feel like a regular kid. At camp each child forms strong bonds with other kids; and when they leave their week in paradise, the leave with a unique network of friends.

As a result of the summer camp, Dragonfly Forest has found that, even months after leaving, children have an increased independence and confidence, better relationships with peers, teamwork capabilities, better dealing with challenging situations, developed leadership skills, better attention to activities or tasks and their completion, and the ability to better communicate feelings and thoughts.

Dragonfly Forest is free to all child participants.

Camp Sessions are as follows

Monday, June 21 - Friday, June 25: Session 1 - Children with Autism
Monday, June 28 - Friday, July 2: Session 2 - Children with 22Q
Monday, July 5 - Thursday, July 8: Session 3 - Children with Autism
Saturday, July 10 - Thursday, July 15: Session 4 - Children with Hematology (Sickle Cell, Bleeding Disorders)
Saturday, July 17 - Thursday, July 22: Session 5 - Children with Respiratory/Persistent Asthma

Camp Details

What: Dragonfly Forest Summer Camp,

When: Monday, June 21, 2010 – Thursday, July 22, 2010

Where: The Westtown School, 975 Westtown Road, West Chester, PA 19382-5700

Cost: Free

The best times to visit the camp are 8:30am - 1:15pm or 2:15pm - 5:15pm, as the kids are out doing the majority of their programming activities and there are opportunities to interact with them. Due to abbreviated schedules, the first and last days of camp are not good days for visits. We do, however, encourage media visits on all other days.

For more information on Dragonfly Forest, visit www.dragonflyforest.org

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