“Like Any Other Camp”: Experiences and lessons learned from an integrated day camp for children with heart disease

Healthier CHEO Kids 
Summer camps for children living with heart disease can have a profound impact on well-being. However, specialized camps often require extensive resources (i.e., 24-h medical staff supervision) and may be located in far remote settings. Integrating children with heart disease into mainstream day camps may address these barriers. The purpose of this study is to describe the experience of attending an integrated day camp from the perspectives of children with heart disease and their parents.
Many parents chose the integrated camp as their child’s first summer camp experience, citing trust in the local division of Cardiology’s approval of the camp activities as an important reason for enrolling. All participants agreed the integrated camp was a valued opportunity which should continue, although not all described positive camp experiences.Participants’ descriptions of the integrated camp were organized into two main themes: 1) overall expectations of the camp and 2) important opportunities afforded by the camp experience. Partaking in a typical camp experience, connecting to local children with heart disease, adequate safety precautions and activity adaptations were specific expectations held by participants. Important opportunities included greater independence and confidence, navigating disclosure of their diagnosis to peers on their own terms, and more diverse social connections. Improving communication with parents to ensure expectations match camp objectives would have enhanced the experience.

Lead Researchers

Link to Publication

Researchers

  1. Patricia Longmuir

    Senior Scientist, CHEO Research Institute

    View Profile Email