Brainy Camps of Children's National Medical Center staff are very busy preparing for the 2010 camp season! In addition to the many exciting plans underway for Camp Connect, Camp Great Rock and Camp New Friends, we're thrilled to announce the launching of several new camps at Massanetta Springs. In the summer of 2010, Brainy Camps have expanded to serve children and teens with the conditions of diabetes, pacemakers and ICDs, obesity, and sickle cell anemia.

Camp Schedule 2010

6/27-7/03, Camp Connect (Tourette syndrome)
6/27-7/03, Camp Connect (Asperger’s syndrome)
7/04-7/10, Super Campers (Sickle Cell)
7/11-7/17, Camp Great Rock (Epilepsy)
7/18-7/24, Camp New Friends (NF)
8/08-8/11, Camp Heart Beat (Pacemakers and ICDs)
8/12-8/15, Camp Take Charge of Diabetes
8/16-8/20, Camp Healthy Habits (Obesity)

We are excited to return to the beautiful facility at Massanetta Springs near Harrisonburg, Virginia (to view the camp, please visit  http://www.massanettasprings.org). The camp site is a wonderful location that accommodates our growing camps and offers our campers a greater variety of activities. Located in the foothills of the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains, this campsite gives our kids a traditional camp experience, with cabins nestled amongst the trees, a natural spring-fed pool and a lake for fishing and canoeing. There are two dining halls, which we use for meals, cooking classes, and a nighttime canteen.  Four separate activity centers offer important opportunities for camper development. Basketball and volleyball courts, and two general sports fields are utilized throughout the weeks of camp. In addition, an open-air pavilion serves as an ideal place for barbecues and daily activities.

As for our camp staff, many of the same doctors, nurses, and counselors return each year to ensure the camp experience remains safe and fun. And, we are very pleased to note that, should the need for medical care arise, Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg is just minutes away from our campsite at Massanetta Springs.

Because the camp is located two hours away from DC, transportion for campers from a central location will be arranged. The bus ride will give campers the opportunity to reacquaint themselves with old buddies and make new friends as the counselors lead the campers in songs and games on their way to camp. As our plans for the camp season are finalized, we will send a follow-up email or letter with all the specifics. Please contact us ASAP if your email or home address has changed.

Our hosts at Massanetta Springs are jumping to accommodate our requests and needs. This collaborative environment offers great promise for the future of Brainy Camps.

Keeping in the spirit of camp,

Sandy Cushner Weinstein, PT, LCSW-C, and Susan Mehlman, Ph.D.