Camps for Children with chILD

Your Child Deserves to Just Be a Kid

Every child deserves the magic of summer camp — the friendships, the campfires, the sense of independence. Children with chILD are no exception. A growing network of camps specifically serve children with serious medical conditions, including children on oxygen, children with tracheostomies, and ventilator-dependent children.

SeriousFun Children’s Network — Our Top Recommendation

SeriousFun is a global network of 30 camps and programs founded by Paul Newman in 1988. All programs are always free of charge for campers and families.

SeriousFun camps serve children with over 50 medical conditions, including pulmonary conditions and ventilator dependence. Each camp has:

• On-site medical staff — nurses, physicians, and often specialists recruited from partnering hospitals
• Adaptive activities designed to accommodate medical needs
• Programs for siblings and families, not just the child with the diagnosis
• Residential overnight camp, family weekend programs, hospital outreach, and sibling camp options

SeriousFun Camps Especially Relevant to chILD Families

• Double H Ranch (Lake Luzerne, NY) — Camp Inspiration session for children ages 5–21 who need respiratory assistance or rely on a ventilator
• Flying Horse Farms (Mt. Gilead, OH) and Camp Boggy Creek (Orlando, FL) — serve a range of lung and complex medical conditions
• Victory Junction (Randleman, NC) — heart/lung/kidney sessions for ages 6–16
• Roundup River Ranch (Gypsum, CO) — lung/kidney sessions; lottery-based admission
• Camp Korey (Pacific Northwest) — serves a wide range of life-altering conditions

SeriousFun website: seriousfun.org | Find a camp near you: seriousfun.org/camps-and-programs/find-a-camp

Other Camps Worth Knowing

• Camp Inspiration at Double H Ranch — specifically for children dependent on respiratory support, including oxygen and ventilators
• Camp Joyful Hearts (Clarksville, OH) — for ages 8–18 with serious illness
• Children’s hospital camps — many children’s hospitals run their own day or weekend camp programs; ask your hospital’s Child Life team

Tips for Attending Camp with chILD

• Contact the camp early — some programs fill quickly or use lottery systems
• Be transparent on the medical forms — the more the camp knows about your child’s oxygen needs, equipment, and emergency protocols, the better prepared they can be
• Talk to your child’s pulmonologist before camp — to review whether altitude, activity level, or environmental factors need special planning
• Ask about coordination — many camps can work directly with your child’s medical team; don’t assume camp is out of reach because of your child’s diagnosis

Glossary

Adaptive Activities — Camp activities modified to accommodate children with medical needs, physical limitations, or special equipment.

Camp Inspiration — A dedicated session at Double H Ranch for children ages 5–21 who require respiratory support, including supplemental oxygen, tracheostomy care, or mechanical ventilation.

Child Life Specialist — A healthcare professional trained in the psychosocial needs of medically complex children; may have information about local camp programs.

Lottery System — A randomized selection process used by some camps when demand exceeds capacity. Apply early within the application window.

Residential Overnight Camp — A camp where children stay on-site overnight with around-the-clock medical support.

SeriousFun Children’s Network — A global network of 30 free camps serving children with more than 50 serious medical conditions. Founded by Paul Newman in 1988.

Tracheostomy (Trach) — A surgical opening in the neck creating a direct airway to the trachea. Many medical camps, including Camp Inspiration, are equipped to care for children with tracheostomies.

Ventilator-Dependent — A child who requires mechanical ventilation to breathe. Camp Inspiration at Double H Ranch specifically accommodates ventilator-dependent children.

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This information is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice of your child’s healthcare provider.