1994

EF-NCA board members, staff and Department of Neurology medical staff from Children’s National Medical Center develop Camp Great Rock, a camp especially designed for children and teens with epilepsy. The camp was held at 4-H, in Upper Marlboro, MD. Camp population: 23 campers.

1995

Camp Great Rock moves its campsite to 4-H Center in Front Royal, Virginia.

1997

EF-NCA merges; Camp Great Rock becomes a departmental program within the department of Neurology of Children’s National Medical Center. Camp population grows to 50 teenagers and adults.

1999

Camp Great Rock moves its campsite to Carol-Jean Foundation in Olney, Maryland. Camp Great Rock celebrates five camp sessions. Camp population grows to 65 campers with epilepsy and 30 volunteers.

2004

Camp New Friends, a camp for children with neurofibromatosis is developed and attracts children from nine states. Camp population: 25.

2005

Camp Connect, a camp for children and teens with Tourette syndrome is formed. Camp attracts children from four states. Camp population: 25. Camp Super Campers, a Camp for children and teens with sickle cell anemia, was established. Camp population: 24 campers and teens.

2006

Children’s National Medical Center Camps (CNMCC) moves campsite to Bishop Claggett Center, in Buckeystown, Maryland. Camp population: 75 campers and teens.

2007

CNMCC continues to grow: Camp Great Rock population: 87 campers, teens, and Counselors-In-Training (CITs). Camp New Friends population: 60 campers and teens. Camp Connect population: 45 campers and teens. Up to 50 volunteers were involved.

2008

CNMC Camps adopts new name, “Brainy Camps”. A new camp is developed for children with the high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Brainy Camps populations remain steady due to the lack of facility availability, accessibility, or space needed to expand and grow the camps. Brainy Camps develops a goal to build a permanent campsite that serves the needs of children with chronic health conditions and their families.

2009

Brainy Camps moves to Massaanetta Springs in Harrisburg, Virginia and establish a partnership with the Massanetta Springs Conference and Camp Center. Brainy Camps is established as an independent non-profit organization, a subsidiary of Children's National Medical Center.

2010

Brainy Camps expands to serve children with diabetes, pacemakers and ICDs, and sickle cell anemia.

2011

Brainy Camps expands again to include camps for children with congenital heart disorders, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and those at risk for childhood obesity.  Enrollment reaches more than 260 campers and 120 staff, with campers coming from 26 states, China and Costa Rica.