In 2024, kids with bleeding disorders and their family members participated in activities inspired by the Olympics, The Amazing Race, and STEM during camps hosted by three NBDF chapters.
ALASKA HEMOPHILIA ASSOCIATION: CAMP FROZEN CHOZEN
In early June, 45 children and teens with bleeding disorders and their siblings spent a week at Kings Lake Camp in Wasilla, Alaska.
Campers hiked, canoed, competed in races inspired by the Olympics, and slept in rustic cabins. Some activities were distinctly Alaskan: Everyone helped the Alaska Department of Fish and Game stock Kings Lake with buckets full of rainbow trout. During a polar bear plunge, brave participants jumped into the frigid lake. Campers also learned how to self-infuse and how to gauge health risks associated with different behaviors.
“This independent lifestyle is crucial in Alaskan villages with limited access to care,” AHA Executive Director John Palmatier says. “Camp provides valuable tools that campers use for the rest of their lives.”
Learn more about the Alaska Hemophilia Association.
MIDWEST HEMOPHILIA ASSOCIATION: CAMP WILDERNESS
Beginning in late July, 40 campers with bleeding disorders spent five days at Camp Wilderness at the Lake Doniphan Conference & Retreat Center near Kansas City, Missouri.
In addition to swimming, fishing, and archery, campers did STEM activities, including racing robots and launching rockets that they built themselves.
The campers, ages 7 to 17, connected with peers and counselors, many of whom were Camp Wilderness alumni. Campers participated in daily infusion clinics, where they were paired with nurses or peers to build their skills and confidence.
“My favorite part of camp is watching experienced youth encourage, teach, and challenge the newer infusers,” MHA Executive Director Angela Brown says. “When they bang that gong and receive their Big Stick award, it’s a proud moment.”
Learn more about the Midwest Hemophilia Association.
NATIONAL BLEEDING DISORDERS FOUNDATION’S NEVADA CHAPTER: FAMILY CAMP
More than 60 children and adults, ranging in age from 1 to 80, attended Family Camp in June at Camp de Benneville Pines in Southern California.
Families participated in hiking and other outdoor activities, artistic endeavors such as tie-dyeing, and team-building exercises including an Amazing Race event. Children and families also attended infusion clinics, where everyone received age-appropriate medical support and information.
“Our program offers a break where families can bond, relax, and enjoy shared experiences free from the constant pressures associated with bleeding disorders,” says Jacob Murdock, executive director of NBDF’s Nevada Chapter. “It’s crucial to provide opportunities for these families to escape their daily worries and create new, positive memories together.”
Learn more about the Nevada Chapter of NBDF.