Will he remember to take his medicine? What if he loses an inhaler? Should you send along three just in case? What’s the environment like? Will he be bombarded with triggers? If he has a severe asthma attack, will the adult in charge know what to do?
Combining all those questions—and possibly more—may sound paranoid and over reactive. And that does not even include the worries we all have when our little one is away from home for the first time. The truth is that they are all genuine concerns that need to be addressed. If you child is young or the diagnosis for asthma is recent, medical concerns can be particularly frightening for you and your child.
Instead of saying “No” to a fun week of swimming, hiking, and other summer activities, why not send your child to a camp designed for children with moderate to severe asthma? Typically sponsored by The Lung Associations in both Canada and the United States, asthma camps are staffed with physicians, nurses and respiratory therapists for 24-hour care. Fully-equipped camp infirmaries store medications and provide on-site care for severe attacks.
With their medical needs well cared for, campers can enjoy all the fun and activities any other summer camp might offer like biking, mountain climbing, arts, canoeing, sailing, etc. In addition to summer fun, campers learn about their disease and how to cope with and manage their disease. Education is always an integral part of asthma camp.
A week at camp builds self esteem. Not only do campers begin learning to take control of their own needs (depending on their age), but they also have a chance to be like everyone else. Is your child embarrassed to use an inhaler in front of friends? It’s no big deal when all the other kids are using one, too. And now the kids can get to what’s really important, like “What color is your inhaler?” and “I betcha my peak flow is higher than yours!”
If you’re anything like my husband, you’re beginning to wonder about the cost. On average, expect to pay in the neighborhood of $500 for one week of camp. Remember, that includes a professional staff, plus a wide range of activities. Don’t despair if the cost seems prohibitive. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
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