Brainy Camps Association

A subsidiary of Children's National Medical Center

Brainy Camps Association is a non-profit organization that provides residential summer camps, family retreats, leadership training and transitional youth programs for children with severe chronic health conditions. We began our mission in 1994 with a camp for children with epilepsy.  Seventeen years later, we have expanded to include camps for youngsters with Asperger's syndrome, Tourette syndrome, neurofibromatosis, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, congenital heart disease, heart  conditions that require pacemakers, ICDs or transplants, Down syndrome, hemiplegia and childhood obesity.  Our camps are run in collaboration with many of the healthcare organizations connected to the conditions served.

Our campsite is located in Harrisonburg, VA, at the Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center, just minutes from Rockingham Memorial Hospital. Physicians and nurses specializing in the conditions are on-site 24/7.  Transportation is available from the Washington, DC area.

Our Camp Program

We offer our campers a safe, fun experience where they can meet others like themselves, often for the first time in their lives.  Not only do they swim, dance and play, they gain knowledge about their conditions from medical experts in the field and learn to be independent, self-reliant, and effective partners with their medical providers in the management of their health. 

Campers can choose from a myriad of activities including swimming, fishing, boating, archery, arts & crafts, pottery, team sports, challenge course and camp Olympics.  Support groups and educational programs promote knowledge, skill development and interpersonal connections.   Through their time at Brainy Camps, campers gain a sense of who they are, what they have to offer and where they want to go in the future.

COUNSELORS-IN-TRAINING (CITs)

The Counselor In Training program is designed for campers, ages 15-17, who are interested in becoming future counselors. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to develop leadership and communication skills while gaining experience in planning and instructing activities for younger children. CITs will receive hands-on experience working with campers while under the direct supervision of experienced counselors. The directors of camp will provide nightly group supervision and leadership training for the participants.

NEXT STEPS: Our transitions program for young adults

Ten percent of young adults between the ages of 16 and 25 have difficulty making a smooth transition to adulthood.  They face many barriers in trying to become successful and independent and are at risk for a number of negative outcomes, including unemployment, feelings of failure and an inability to make appropriate future-oriented decisions. 

Our Transitional Youth Program is designed to assist these individuals overcome their personal obstacles and make a successful transition to adulthood.

This strengths-based program provides opportunity for each young adult to pursue their individual goals in the areas of education, vocation, living situation, and community living skills. Helping these youth become productive and emotionally stable individuals produces enormous social benefits for the young adult, as well as the society at large.

 CAMP STAFF

Each condition-specific camp is staffed 24 hours a day by medical doctors and nurses who are experts in the field.  Additional professionals include a social worker, physical therapist and a psychologist, as well as other medical personnel who volunteer their time and expertise at the various camps.  The counselors are carefully selected for their genuine interest in youngsters and  receive special training to deal with each unique population.  Many have the identified condition, having risen up the ranks through leadership experience gained at camp to become role models for our campers.

Please contact us for more information.

In the spirit of Brainy Camps,

Sandra Cushner Weinstein, PT, LCSW-C  & Susan Mehlman, Ph.D.                                                                                                                                                                           

 

Brainy Camps 2011 camp photos are now available.

Click on the "Photos" tab above and enjoy the show.

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Brainy Camps 2012 Schedule

Camp Connect TS (Tourette syndrome & other movement disorders)            June 24-30

Camp Connect ASD (Asperger's syndrome)                                               June 25-July 1

Camp Super Smile (Down syndrome))                                                      July 02-05

Camp Great Rock  (epilepsy)                                                                   July 08-14

Camp New Friends (neurofibromatosis)                                                    July 15-21

 Camp Take Hold  (cerebral palsy)                                                           July 24-27

Camp Heartbeat (pacemakers, ICDs, congenital heart disease)                  August 04-07

Camp Take Charge (diabetes)                                                                 August 09-12

Super Campers Always (sickle cell anemia)                                             August 14-17

Camp Healthy Habits (childhood obesity)                                                 August 14-17 (tentative)