April, 2013 – Camp Oasis is the Place for Fun, Friends and Support

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Camp Oasis is the Place for Fun, Friends and Support

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Hosts Summer Camp for Children with Digestive Diseases

 

South Florida – March 27, 2013 Dealing with a disease, especially a digestive disease, is never easy. It is especially difficult when you are a child or teenager. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) can help to alleviate some of that stress,though! With CCFA’s fun-filled summer program, Camp Oasis, specifically for any child with medically stable Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, campers can enjoy incredible activities with people who truly understand them.   

 

The week-long sleep away camp is jam packed with fun such as swimming, boating, and fishing, as well as visual and performing arts, special events, team sports, and outdoor adventures. It is a safe environment where children are not defined by their illness, but instead are encouraged to try new things, make life-long friendships and have the time of their lives.

 

Camp Oasis will be held at Camp Will-a-Way, located in Winder, Georgia from July 14 through July 19, 2013. The camp is staffed with 24-hour on site medical supervision by healthcare professionals, as well as dedicated counselors, many of whom have IBD, to ensure the best possible care for campers while they are away from home. To be eligible for Camp Oasis, campers must be in grades 2 through 10 in 2013. Leaders in training must be in grade 11 – 12. Those interested in volunteering must be at least 19 years old, and meet additional requirements.

Applications are due by May 15, and space is limited. There is a $25 non-refundable application fee and $250 attendance fee. Parents are encouraged to apply online at www.ccfa.org/camps or contact 561-218-2929 for a hard copy of the application.

 

For additional questions, contact Katie Keohane at (561) 218-2929 or kkeohane@ccfa.org, or visit www.ccfa.org/camps for more details on Camp Oasis.

 

About Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are painful, medically incurable illnesses that attack the digestive system. Crohn’s disease may attack anywhere from the mouth to the anus, while ulcerative colitis inflames only the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever and weight loss. Many patients require hospitalization and surgery.  These illnesses can cause severe complications, including colon cancer in patients with long-term disease. Some 1.4 million American adults and children suffer from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, with as many as 150,000 under the age of 18.  Most people develop the diseases between the ages of 15 and 35.

 

About the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s mission is to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases. The Foundation ranks third among leading health non-profits in the percentage of expense devoted to research toward a cure, with more than 79 cents of every dollar the Foundation spends goes to mission-critical programs. The Foundation consistently meets the standards of organizations that monitor charities, including the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) and the American Institute of Philanthropy (charitywatch.org). For more information, contact the Foundation at 800-932-2423 or visit www.ccfa.org. Join CCFA on Facebook at http://apps.facebook.com/supportccfa/and follow CCFA and Take Steps on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccfa and www.twitter.com/takesteps.