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I have a 14 year old who was diagnosed with Crohn's 1 year ago.  Since we moved from CA to NH right before he got sick, he has not made a lot of friends.  He is not able to play soccer and baseball and he has missed soooo much school.  He is really down!  I want to send him to Camp Oasis but I know if I bring it up he will not want to go.  I have a hard time getting him out of the house to do anything.  He has always been so active that I'm really worried about him - he has already missed out on his freshman year of high school.  Has anyone been in this situation and do you have any suggestions?  Also, does anyone know the cost of this camp??  Anything you could share with me would be greatly appreciated!!

 Reply posted for sakmillis.

My son is 11 and will be going to Camp Oasis for the first time this summer.  We just had the chance to go to an Open House at the facility where he will go and, after meeting the people from the local CCFA chapter who organize Camp Oasis and touring the camp itself, Matt is so excited to go.  Call your local CCFA chapter and see if they know if there is an Open House for the camp he'd go to and maybe you could convince him just to check it out.  Or they might be able to connect you to a teen his age who will be going. Perhaps your GI has another patient near his age who has been to Camp Oasis?  There is a CCFA Camp Oasis facebook group too.... you might poke around there with him and he would see that there are many,  many other kids his age who attend (do a facebook search for CCFA Camp Oasis.)

 Reply posted for sakmillis.

My 10 y.o daughter with CD went to camp last summer for the first time, loved it and wants to go this summer.  Since we live in a neighboring state from the camp location (Michigan), we stayed at one of the pick up location hotels the night before. A parent organized a welcome gathering so the kids and parents could meet.  The kids soon lost their shyness in the pool and it gave the parents a chance to connect. 

I was mostly worried because she had her tonsills out (due to abcesses) 10 days before camp and her throat was far from healed. I thought I would get a call that she felt bad or wasnt having fun and wanted to come home. I finally checked in the nurse about 4 days into camp for an update. Her sore throat didnt slow her down long and she was participating in all activities.  Afterward I asked "So... does everyone sit around and talk about thier condition?" She said "not really, we just did mostly fun and silly stuff." 

You might contact a CCFA camp chapter leader for advice how to encourage your son to give it a shot. Maybe they can put you in contact with a mentor/a camp leader, who can connect with him via email or Skype, (All camp leaders are IBD pts.)

 Reply posted for sakmillis.

Hi there. 

My daughter (now 21) went to Camp Oasis when she was about 14.  By this time, we had already dealt with the worst of the crohns and felt she was a bit older and able to handle her meds and potential flare-ups. I was also apprehensive because of the "what-if syndrome"; what if she has a flare - who will care for her the way her parents do? What if the physicians are busy, etc.? What if there's no hospital?  If you can think of it, we thought of it.  After 2 years of sending my sons away to camp, my daughter asked me "why can't I go away" - "Daddy won't let me go away" - "Don't they have camp for sick kids like me". Can you imagine my relief when i was finally able to answer yes.

I can't tell you the joy I felt in my heart when we met the folks from Camp Oasis.  They are genuinely caring individuals and they do any and everything to make these kids comfortable. To see so many children from so many different walks in life, it was overwhelming.  Those kids are the only ones on earth who will truly understand the pain and suffering they go through.  As parents, it breaks our hearts to see them suffer, but to know that a place like Camp Oasis exists, its a blessing.  My daughter returned - relaxed, refreshed and renewed.  She was able to freely express her feelings in a "comfort zone" with other kids who had the same problems that she did.  They were able to identify with each other.  More than that, these children make life long friends and even more than that - they have fun; something that they don't get to do in everyday life. They swim, they have arts and crafts, games, talent show, cookouts....it's camp.

I encourage you to do everything you can to get your child to go.

 Reply posted for sakmillis.

I too cannot say enough good things about Camp Oasis.  It is well worth the money.  My daughter has Crohn's and she came back home as a more independent, more self-assured young lady.  This summer will be her 3rd summer at camp and she is only 13 but can't wait to be a camp counselor.  Your child will not regret going!

 Reply posted for sakmillis.

I cannot say enough good things about Camp Oasis.   My daughter was a  lot younger when she was diagnosed (4).   She went to Camp for the first time last summer (she was 9) and had the time of her life.   I was so apprehensive to send her, she had never been away for more than overnight and that was at her grandparent's house.  

Why not call your local CCFA office and have them mail him a brochure.  Also, there is info and video available on this site ( I think under the "kids / teens" tab).   Have him check it out.

My daughter had an amazing time, she is already signed up for this summer.  The cost was only $250, but I'm not sure if that varies from site-to-site.   I can tell you the medical attention to detail is second to none, yet they make the kids seem "ordinary".   It is a great opportunity to meet other kids with the same "special belly".    

I hope you are able to talk him into it........I don't think CCFA has ever had a kid not love it.   Good Luck.

Lizzies Mom