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Asthma Adventure Camp - Registration is Open
SUNDAY, JULY 4 - FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2010
Beginning our second century, the American Lung Association works to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Asthma is the leading serious chronic childhood illness. The American Lung Association in Illinois educates children, their parents and caregivers about the complexities of asthma and how to manage the often misunderstood and prevalent disease that is responsible for 12.8 million missed school days and more than 4,000 fatalities per year.
 Our youth Asthma Camp is our longest standing asthma education program and has provided life saving education to more than 2,500 children since 1977.
While at camp, children safely enjoy a traditional weeklong, overnight camping experience among their peers. At camp children receive asthma education that explains what asthma is, why medications help, how to properly use medications, how to eat right and exercise safely, and how to avoid asthma triggers. Guest speakers present programs that motivate and ease children's anxiety about living with asthma.
 Providing an outdoor camp for children who are usually restricted from such activities, requires careful planning and provisions to respond to unique medical, nutritional, environmental and emotional needs. Physicians, registered nurses and respiratory therapists volunteer their time to staff the camp and the clinic where children receive their daily medications and have access to medical care 24 hours a day.
CAMP LOCATION
Asthma Adventure Camp is hosted at the YMCA Camp Duncan - Ingelside, Illinois (Lake County). For more information about the camp site, please visit their website at www.ymcacampduncan.org.
NOT JUST A REGULAR CAMP
 For over thirty years, Asthma Adventure Camp has provided children with asthma an opportunity to experience camping activities they may otherwise be denied due to their condition. It was designed specifically for children with asthma. Through educational activities, campers learn to understand and manage their illness while improving their self-esteem.
Our camps provide an opportunity for both the child and family to work collaboratively in addressing issues surrounding asthma management.
OBJECTIVES
 Counselors and medical staff continue to reinforce the objectives of the American Lung Association Education Programs:
- To improve the physical condition and psychological outlook of the child with asthma.
- To educate the parent, child, and community about asthma and how to deal with it.
- To improve self-management skills.
CAMP EVALUATION - FOLLOW UP
Our American Lung Association HelpLine, staffed with registered nurses and respiratory therapists, provides follow up/evaluation calls at 3, 9, and 12 months following camp. They check on the progress of our campers and how well they are managing their asthma.
 TRAINED STAFF
Staff includes over 60 volunteers, including physicians, registered respiratory therapists, registered nurses, licensed social workers, pharmacists and trained counselors.
MEDICAL STAFF
Asthma Adventure Camp is staffed 24 hours a day by physicians, registered nurses and registered respiratory therapist, in order to meet the special needs of the campers. Campers are evaluated by their assigned nurse and respiratory therapist a minimum of two times a day. If you would like to volunteer and be a part of our medical team, please complete the volunteer application listed below.
 ACTIVITIES
Trained counselors, assisted by medical staff, supervise the children and encourage participation in a variety of activities, such as swimming, canoeing, nature hikes, climbing tower, ropes course, field games and arts and crafts. In addition to traditional camping activities, children attend educational sessions, during which they learn asthma management techniques. Motivational/self-esteem guest speakers are also featured throughout the week.
WHAT ARE FAMILIES ARE SAYING...
"Matt loves Camp. If the subject of camp comes up, he always has something to tell you that happened. Most of the time he is laughing so hard he can never finish the story. Every year his knowledge about asthma increases…Matthew looks forward to this camp every year. In fact, I have a calendar in our kitchen that has the date in it. Matthew already has [it] marked with the words Asthma Camp!"
"[Elijah] says he's very happy about how much fun he had, but [is] sad that it wasn't long enough. He seems to be more open to ways to deal with his asthma limitations…He understands the causes, triggers, the medications and how to control his asthma…Elijah says it was awesome and he wants to come back!"
"[My child] doesn't mind taking her medication and her attitude is much Better…She takes better control of her asthma now."
"[Sue] seems a little more relaxed with carrying her inhaler with her, knowing there are other kids out there that have [asthma] too...She seems to understand better why she needs her daily medication."
CAMPER REQUIREMENTS
Anyone meeting specific medical and age requirements may attend Asthma
- Child must be between the ages of 7 - 14 (on or before July 1, 2010).
- Child must be diagnosed with asthma and on daily medication.
- Child must be capable of walking. Our camp covers a large area and campers do a great deal of walking and hiking every day.
- Child is required to have received the H1N1 flu vaccination (exceptions relate to those with egg allergy).
- We will not be accepting "siblings" unless they are diagnosed with asthma.
- Campers can attend up to three years.
REGISTRATION FEES - SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
We are aware of the financial burden a disease can place on a family. To ease this burden, each camper pays a registration fee of $200. No one is turned away from camp due to inability to pay. Full and partial financial scholarships are available. Please send verification of reduced school meal program if you wish to be considered for financial assistance along with your application. Please note, each family is required to send a $25 deposit fee with their application. If you receive a full scholarship, the funds will be returned following your child's participation at Asthma Camp. If you do not request a scholarship, the deposit fee will be counted towards your registration fee.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
For our approved camp families living in the City of Chicago, transportation will be offered via the Metra System. In addition, for our families who live in Central and Southern Illinois, a charter bus will be transporting the campers up to the campsite. For more details, please call Lori or Linda at 1/800-788-5864.
CAMPER APPLICATION FORMS
To register your child for Asthma Adventure Camp, please download the registration form below.
MEDICAL VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM
Please review the job descriptions and then download the registration form below and send back to the address listed below.
All applications to be mailed to the following:
American Lung Association of Illinois
Asthma Adventure Camp
3000 Kelly Lane
Springfield, IL 62711
Questions about Asthma Camp- Call Lori Younker or Linda Kilmer at 1/800-788-5864
Our Lung Health Experts - Just a Phone Call Away
If you have additional questions relating to your child's asthma, please call 1/800-548-8252
The Lung HelpLine is staffed by Registered Nurses and Respiratory Therapists with extensive experience in the healthcare industry. Areas of expertise include: Education, Smoking Cessation, Respiratory Therapy, Lung Disease, Nursing, Physician Referral, Respiratory Home Care, Neonatal, Pediatric, Medication Counseling, and Adult Intensive Care.
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