Jodyne Butto, M.D. - Pediatrics: Anchorage Pediatric Group
Medical Director for Champ Camp
907-562-2423
Champ Camp
Hiking, canoeing, arts and crafts, sing-a-longs-all part of the summer time experience for most children. However, chronic medical conditions can make it difficult for some children to participate in these normal activities.
The Children's Hospital at Providence and the Children's Miracle Network-Alaska has teamed up to help sponsor specialty camps for children with chronic medical conditions. One of these camps is Champ Camp or Asthma Camp. This camp occurs each summer, usually the second week in July, at Camp Kushtaka on Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing with the Camp Fire Association staff participation as our counselors. It is a 6-day overnight camp. The overnight aspect is an important component of the camp, because often the first-time child has not experienced overnight stays without his/her parents. Similarly, it is the first time that these parents are not available as the sole caretaker for their child's chronic disease-it is often hard for both parent and child to allow third-party trust to occur.
At the camp we immediately settle into a routine. We have Peak Flows and medications every morning. After breakfast we split the kids into two groups, and each group gets one hour of Asthma Education. Each day is a different theme such as "Triggers", "Medications", "Anatomy", or "Feelings". After a small group discussion, we go on to a themed game or activity. Some favorites include LUNGO (Bingo with asthma terms instead of numbers), TRIGGER TRIBUTE (we make a picture of our triggers) and Medication Scavenger Hunt. The rest of the day is spent doing "camp things", hiking, canoeing, arts and crafts. The counselors are very good about incorporating the theme of the day into the rest of the activities. For example, to get into the dining hall for meals you have to show your inhaler or change the words of a camp song to incorporate asthma topics. We also have medications and breathing check each evening before dinner. Our medical staff for camp includes 2-3 nurses, 1-2 respiratory therapist and 2 physicians. We work together to make sure all camp activities are safe and that a medical staff person is available. We also work closely with the camp cook to ensure there are no food allergy issues.
Two weeks after Champ Camp, we have a barbeque for the children and their families and give out awards and share some of the songs or skits created during the week. During the 6-day Champ Camp stay, we try to instill that full participation in all activities is expected of children with asthma and that we control our asthma-our asthma does not control us.
Parents regularly approach me about all the skills that their children learned at asthma camp. It helps them have piece of mind knowing that their child is able to control his/her asthma, and the children truly enjoy normal summertime activities without having to be self-conscious about taking medicine.
If you would like more information regarding asthma camp please contact the American Lung Association of Alaska at (907) 276-5864. Camperships are available so that all children may participate without consideration for ability to pay.
Published July/August 2005, Physicians Practice
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