The benefits of Asthma Camp. Living with asthma can be a challenging experience for a child. Asthma Camp increases children’s independence by showing them that they can be in control. Kids learn together how to take an active role in the management of their asthma.
What Campers Learn and Do at our Asthma Camp: Specifically, children learn:
¨ what happens to the lungs before and during an asthma attack.
¨ why it is important to take asthma medications every day.
¨ to identify their asthma warning signs.
¨ what asthma triggers are and how to avoid them.
¨ how to prevent asthma attacks and better manage their asthma.
¨ that they can do anything when asthma is controlled.
Campers learn asthma management skills in a fun and interactive environment while enjoying a range of camp experiences, such as swimming, archery, canoeing, arts and crafts, and games.
Some facts about our Campers: Campers’ ages typically range from 9 to 13 and many have severe asthma. We obtain applications from many interested and enthusiastic campers, from families who have attended our asthma educational programs, through referrals from local and hospital-based clinics, from schools in the Greater Providence area, and from supportive case managers of insurance companies. We have provided a camp experience to over 540 children since 1998.
Camp Location & Staffing: Asthma Camp is an overnight camp located at Canonicus Camp and Conference Center in Exeter, RI. The cabins are air-conditioned, and the campers are housed by gender and age group. Counselors are hand-picked to ensure that children enjoy camping and educational activities.
Medical Care & Medications: Aris Garro, MD, is a Assoc. Professor of Pediatics & Emergency Medicine. He serves as Medical Director of Asthma Camp 2018 and ensures excellent medical care during asthma camp. Dr. Daphne Koinis-Mitchell, Director of the Community Asthma Programs, child psychologists at Rhode Island Hospital, and help to organize the overall camp experience along with Miosotis Alsina, the Community Asthma Programs Coordinator.
Campers receive state of the art medical support in a clinic staffed by 24/7 on-site physicians, respiratory therapists and nurses. Medications are very closely monitored according to the instructions of each child's doctor. Each camper will bring his or her own medications to camp.
How the program is funded: The generosity of our sponsoring organizations is what makes camperships possible! All camp costs are covered for each child, which makes this opportunity available to children with asthma, regardless of financial means. We are grateful for the sponsorship and support of the following organizations: Breeze Against Wheeze, the Shriners Organization of RI, and many others.
