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CHD Families Camp Systole

CHD Families Camp Systole

ACA Accredited Camp | Day Camp | Overnight Camp | Specialty Camp

CHD Families Camp Systole is a medically supervised, free day and overnight camp for children ages 6-15 years living with congenital heart disease, as well as additional programs for their families.

The children who attend Camp Systole may not be eligible for other camping experiences due to the medical supervision and care they require. Many of these children have had several open-heart surgeries, pacemakers, and/or heart transplants, and they may face more surgeries in their futures. This population of children and their families face adversity every day and know that they are at high-risk for mortality. Camp Systole would give these children a chance to be “normal”, to forget about their disease and have a camp experience in a safe and welcoming environment. They also will be able to connect with other kids with whom they share unique life experiences, surgeries and scars. For some children this might be their only chance to experience an overnight stay away from home. Parents of children with these heart conditions often have anxiety about letting their children participate in “normal” activities as well, and having a medically supervised camp is comforting. A place like Camp Systole is a place where these children and their families can get away from the everyday stressors of their life, where they can share the emotional, mental, and social challenges of their lives with others who have similar experiences, and where they can be empowered with increased self-esteem and knowledge about their disease.

Camp Systole is an outreach activity of Congenital Heart Defects Families Association, a Kansas City area not for profit. Our campers are changed by the unique experience of interacting with the peers, like them, with congenital heart defects. They are able to participate in activities they may generally not do because of parental concerns for their safety. Through a transition walk, they are able to learn more about their own medical history and their futures. Our educational module is based on the chronic care model.

After not wanting to be left by their parents at camp, many campers cry when it’s time to go home.

Testimonials

Testimonal

“As we expected camp has been WONDERFUL. The genuine smile on (my daughter’s) face in the pictures I took at drop off and the ones the counselors are sending me are testament to what an amazing thing you are doing. Thank you so very, very much! ”

Testimonal

“I can see what other kids have gone through and how they survived. It helps me get through & conquer. We are all survivors. That’s a gift.”

Testimonal

“When I'm at camp, I feel like a normal kid. Some kids don't get to go outside because our parents are just working too much and too hard. At home, I'm just watching movies all day. I don't want to get too old to come to Wildwood.”

Testimonal

“Without the support of Camps for Kids and the matching fund, CHD Families would be unable to provide a free medically supervised summer camp for kids with Congenital Heart Defects.”

Testimonal

“I look back on the struggle of my childhood and one of the most important and best childhood memories I have include the time spent at camp with the amazing men and women who treated me like I was normal despite my struggle”

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