Super Campers Always

A Fun, Supportive, and Empowering Environment for Children and Teens with Sickle Cell Anemia

Virtual Camp Daily Schedule

10 am Morning Meet- Up

10:30 am First Activity

12:30 pm Bunk Brunch

2 pm Second Activity

3 pm Cabin/Chat Room; Support Groups

4 pm GO OUTSIDE

7 pm Evening Activity

Each day will begin and end with a Zoom session for all campers. Multiple smaller breakout sessions will be offered throughout the day where campers can choose activities that are of interest to them (i.e., crafts, yoga, scavenger hunt, games, etc.). They also will have the opportunity to participate in support groups led by our clinical psychologist and clinical social worker, as well as educational sessions led by medical experts in the conditions we serve. In addition, the campers will virtually meet together in “bunks” with their assigned counselors and bunkmates to create a feeling of unity and connection.  In the evening, the campers will participate in camp-wide virtual group activities like a “camp fire” sing-along and storytelling, talent show, and dance party. 

Super Campers Always offers children and teens with sickle cell anemia (ages 7-17) five days and four nights of summer fun, education, and social connections.

Super Campers Always was developed by Brainy Camps in conjunction with by the Hematology and Oncology Departments of Children’s National Health System. In addition to fun, the goal of Super Campers Always is to reduce the social isolation that is often associated with this condition and increase every camper’s knowledge and understanding of sickle cell anemia. The camp provides opportunities for the children and teens to work with professional staff and become better self-advocates and self-managers of their condition. Parents can feel comfortable that their children are under the care of trained and experienced doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals who are experts in the field.

Dr Andrew Campbell, hematologist and head of the sickle cell anemia program at Children’s National, leads the camp’s medical team.  Additional medical staff, including doctors, nurses, social workers, physical therapist and psychologists, are on-site 24 hours a day and counselors are trained to deal with issues related to the sickle cell disease.

Campers participate in a myriad of activities. Support groups and educational programs promote knowledge, skill development and social connections and campers gain a better understanding of their condition, strengths and self-worth.   

Please contact Brainy Camps at njosey@childrensnational.org for more information.

Camp Super Campers Always 2019 received support from the following: 

Howard University's FACES Of Our Children, Children's National's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, and a grant from Helping Children Grow, Inc. 

Photos form Super Campers Always 2019