Camp Question-Georgina

[Guest guest]

As you know Hannah and I still newbies at all of this. In fact we still don't

know what exactly it is she has. With that being said, I would like to start

thinking ahead. Are all of these camps resident camps or do they do day camps

too? Are most camps specific to a particular chapter. For instacne the JAM

camp that was being talked about in Lake Geneva, WI, through some research I

discovered it is being sponsored by the Chicago, IL chapter. Would we, may next

year, be able to attend that one?

What do the kids gain from camp versus going to the Conference? Not sure we

would be able to do both.

Any help would be appreciated.

Beth Yohnk

Happy Thoughts..Be Well

[Guest guest]

Beth,

I have never been to a conference but have been to camp. The Pacific Northwest

Chapter (WA-AK-OR) holds an annual overnight camp at Camp Berarach (spelling

probably off) in Auburn WA called KAT-FISH (kids and teens, families in search

of hope-if I remember that right). It is for kids-teens-and families. It is held

in bunkhouse type with bunks in rooms off of the main room. There are general

fun get to know you type meetings, last year they had a talent show etc. There

are times when all go together, times when parents have classes either by the

AF, a doctor, a therapist etc, and the kids have their own activities run by

volunteers such as crafts, play time, nap time, etc depending on the childs age

(they are grouped by age). Young adults/adults can come as volunteers. At meals

and not during class time the families do things together. There is a pool that

can be used during general time, or during break out time. There was even a time

for the kids to meet with the doc.

All funding was provided by Amgen/Wyeth (people who are making so much money

off of Enbrel). Meals are included. From what I hear it is similar to a

conference but lower key, with campfire etc. This years theme is a Pirate theme

and the AF was able to sponsor a couple families from Alaska to fly down for it.

Our daughter is " too old " now for camp and thought of volunteering but we will

be on family vacation that week and can't change it because of work

committments. There was an AJAO mini conference here but it was 3 days after

diagnosis and we weren't ready for that. We had planned to go to Atlanta, just

the two of us, but she decided to go to a 6 week summer term at the university

so I'm saying " next year " for sure! So for us, the good thing about camp is that

it's free and close by us. And for going if not technically your chapter, give

the chapter a call and ask. It can't hurt. And if nothing else, it might

motivate your chapter to start one.

e, mom to joe 19 poly + Lupus (who has a killer history mid-term today)

Beth Yohnk <yohnkmom@...> wrote:

As you know Hannah and I still newbies at all of this. In fact we

still don't know what exactly it is she has. With that being said, I would like

to start thinking ahead. Are all of these camps resident camps or do they do day

camps too? Are most camps specific to a particular chapter. For instacne the JAM

camp that was being talked about in Lake Geneva, WI, through some research I

discovered it is being sponsored by the Chicago, IL chapter. Would we, may next

year, be able to attend that one?

What do the kids gain from camp versus going to the Conference? Not sure we

would be able to do both.

Any help would be appreciated.

Beth Yohnk

Happy Thoughts..Be Well