The Importance of Play

Young people need to have opportunities to be engaged in interactive play, through which they learn to interact with others and feel a sense of belonging. They feel empowered in a safe and supportive community that allows them to learn new skills, and to explore their values and beliefs. These opportunities help shape their thinking and attitudes.

Positive experiences away from home will help them build confidence and self-esteem. Our participants will be able to apply their learning in their home communities with the belief that they are capable to influence their own future in a positive way.

Our youth and teen programs serve children with a variety of chronic medical conditions, and their families. Medical conditions include (but are not limited to): asthma, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, epilepsy, heart defects, hemophilia, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, severe allergies and skin conditions.

Family Weekend Programs 

Camp Blue Sky – Down Syndrome – April 22 – 23, 2023

• This weekend will bring together youth & young adults (ages 6-21) with Down syndrome and their families for an inspiring and relaxing family camp.
• Program partner: American Youth Foundation
• View our 2023 Camp Blue Sky Flyer

Camp Spinnaker – Asthma – August 17 – 20, 2023

• Camp Spinnaker is returning, this time as a family camp! This program is for children with asthma and their families, and it will be held at Camp Merrowvista in Tuftonboro, NH.
• This program is designed with your child’s medical needs in mind, while providing the whole family with a classic camp experience. Join us as we spend a few days swimming in the lake, climbing on the ropes course, and sitting around the campfire at night.
• In addition to the fun classic camp activities families will learn about asthma management in educational sessions provided by McGregor Memorial EMS.
• View our 2023 Camp Spinnaker Flyer

Heart Family Camp – Congenital Heart Defect – September 8 – 10, 2023

• Launched in April 2016, this weekend retreat provides a supportive community for families of children (ages 2-12) with a Congenital Heart Defect
• Program partner: It’s My Heart New England Chapter
• View our Heart Family Camp Flyer 2022

Day Programs 

Sailing on The Gundalow – August 5th, 2023

• Open to any families of children with chronic illness and free of charge, come join us for a day of sailing and fun!
• In the morning we will hop aboard the Gundalow and sail around Portsmouth Harbor. Lunch will be provided. After we will stay in Prescot Park to watch a performance of “Into the Woods Jr.” as part of the Prescot Park Arts Festival.
• Program partner: The Gundalow Company
• View our 2023 Gundalow Flyer

PGA Reach – August 25th, 2023

• Open to families of children with chronic medical illness and free of charge.
• PGA Reach is a 90-minute fun skills-based program lead and instructed by PGA Golf Pros.
• A snack will be provided at the end of the program.
• Program partner New England PGA
• View our 2023 PGA Reach Flyer

Open Airways Virtual Asthma Program (ages 8-11)

We are excited to be working with the NH Asthma Control Program to run an “Open Airways for Schools” curriculum as developed by the American Lung Association.

This program, for youth ages 8-11 includes six skill building sessions on asthma education. Within these six sessions your camper will learn about asthma and how it affects them, how to recognize their triggers, know when to get help, set up an asthma action plan, and learn how to relax during an attack. At the end of the program they will receive a certificate to show that they are ready to carry their own quick relief inhaler at school, or at any of their programs, with confidence. An asthma action plan will be filled out, so everyone will be able to work together to better care for your child’s wellness.

2021 Open Airways Flyer for details.

This pilot program is free. We ask families commit to attending all four sessions. We will periodically be adding new sessions based on interest and enrollment, contact [email protected] for further information and to be added to the waiting list. New dates will be announced when we have enough campers interested to run the program.

General Admission Guidelines

Our goal is to empower as many participants as possible, help them to pursue their goals and to realize their full potential within our program objectives, staffing model and resources.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants, our general admission guidelines include that participants must be able to:

• Shower, toilet, dress and feed themselves independently and with minimal supervision
• Walk 150 yards unassisted and without extreme fatigue – the use of a wheelchair to aid in transitions may be considered
• Verbally communicate their needs with our staff
• Participate in group activities supervised at a 1:8 staff to camper ratio level
• Have a completed Medical Provider Form indicating the appropriate activity level for participation (not required for virtual programs)