On the Horizon

Since 1994, Children’s National Medical Center (CNMC) Camps, a.k.a. Brainy Camps, has served children with neurological conditions including Epilepsy, Neurofibromatosis, Tourette Syndrome and Autism. The number of campers has grown each year. Now, due to limited resources and space, Brainy Camps has had to turn away requests from campers to attend the camps. The need to serve more families in a permanent and expanded campsite has become clear. A Board of Advisors has been formed to develop a campaign for funding and to heighten awareness of Brainy Camps from corporations, community leaders and foundations.

In addition to the summer camps, Brainy Camps is developing mechanisms to connect campers and their families throughout the year and across the spectrum of childhood through innovative programming such as social events and educational programs.

Partnering with non-profit health organizations offer greater services and support to families. Some of these health organizations are not able to offer a camp, but can partner with us to reach out to the children served through our camp programs. Brainy Camps plans to continue to invest in and expand its partnership model to serve populations in need including children with brain tumors, obesity, cerebral palsy, downs syndrome, ADHD/ADD, teens on dialysis, asthma, autism, respite services, family camps, transitional youth camps, cardiac rehab camps, limb difference camps, sibling camps, bereavement camps, refugee camps, HIV camps, sickle cell and blood disorders.

To reap additional benefits from our condition-specific camps, some of the camps also desire additional camp weeks.

We will continue to promote kids helping kids by encouraging students in high school, college, graduate programs, and professional programs to participate as volunteers and gain experience with youth in the recreational environment.

Medical residents, and health care professionals will receive an opportunity to work with children as partners in care.

Conclusion

The future is bright for Brainy Camps. The plans for expansion of our programs and development of a permanent campsite will result in serving our current campers and families with deeper connections and the ability to serve many more children and teenagers with day and overnight camp experiences, weekend retreat, educational programs, and more than one week of residential camping each summer.

Teens will grow, develop, connect, and take on leadership roles within the camp and community. In addition, volunteers in high school, college, graduate programs, and professional programs will participate as volunteers and gain experience with youth in the recreational environment. And medical residents, and health care professionals will receive an opportunity to work with children as partners in care.