Your decision to send your child to summer camp typically involves two important assessments. First, is he ready? Then, which camp suits his (and your) needs?

Specialty summer camps can provide a safe environment for children with hemophilia to enjoy recreational activities. ¹ They can also provide education to help him transition from childhood to adult life. Here are some tips for gauging his readiness for the camp-life experience:

• Consider his level of interest and desire about going to camp. Would he like the activities that are typical of many camp situations, such as being outdoors and making new friends?
  
• Evaluate his other experiences away from home, such as sleepovers at a friend's or a weekend with grandparents ²
  
• How well does he follow directions and respond to discipline from other adults such as caregivers and teachers?
  
• Does he warm up easily when he finds himself in a new environment?
  
• How much exposure has he had to other children with hemophilia? ³ For some kids, camp is the first time they meet someone who is facing the same challenges they face. ⁴

It might also be helpful to factor-in your own readiness for sending him to camp:

• How much apprehension do you have and can you overcome it?
  
• Can you be positive with him in the days prior to camp, helping him cope with his own apprehension?
  
• How comfortable are you with explaining accurate details of his healthcare needs to others?

If the decision to go is a yes, consider these ideas for finding a camp best-suited to his needs:

• Some specialty camps for children with hemophilia place a higher emphasis on teaching campers about bleeding disorders and how to manage their health.
  
• Other camps focus on delivering a more traditional camp experience with an added benefit of bonding with others who have hemophilia.
  
• Check with your local HTC or NHF chapter about whether it runs its own summer camp or is affiliated with one nearby. ⁵
  
• Consider costs -- some specialty camps are supported by other financing, meaning you won't pay camp fees. Travel costs are an additional consideration.
  
• Start the camp-search process early. Often you can take a tour of the camp by appointment.
  
• Recognize that distance from home isn't proportionate to the level of homesickness. ⁶ Focus on finding the right camp, not the closest.
  
• Consider the camp's credentials. The North American Camping Conference of Hemophilia Organizations (NACCHO) has issued comprehensive health center standards for affiliated camps. These include standards set by the Association of Camp Nurses and the American Camping Association. ⁷

Interested in learning more? Find a camp .

The transition to summer camp can be a good time to encourage his involvement in his own healthcare. Learn more .

¹ National Hemophilia Foundation. Summer Camps Can Help Children Manage Bleeding Disorder Challenges. Available at: http://www.hemophilia.org/events/utah/sessions2.htm#3. Accessed on August 17, 2010.
² The Camp Experts. Available at: http://www.campexperts.com/FAQ.aspx#4. Accessed on August 17, 2010.
³ Family Education. Is Your Child Ready for Summer Camp? Available at: http://quizzes.familyeducation.com/summer-camp/parenting/55654.html. Accessed on August 17, 2010.
⁴ National Hemophilia Foundation. Summer Camps Can Help Children Manage Bleeding Disorder Challenges. Available at: http://www.hemophilia.org/events/utah/sessions2.htm#3. Accessed on August 17, 2010.
⁵ Aldridge S. Rite of passage. HemAware. 2007;(2).
⁶ The Camp Experts. Available at: http://www.campexperts.com/FAQ.aspx#4. Accessed on August 17, 2010.
⁷ National Hemophilia Foundation. Health Center Standards for Camps Serving Persons with Bleeding Disorders. Available at: http://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/MainPgs/MainNHF.aspx?menuid=300&contentid=652&rptname=Health. Accessed on August 17, 2010.