July 13, 2009 - ST. LOUIS - Laya Westbrooks is attending Camp Crescent for the sixth time. In past years she has especially enjoyed archery, arts and crafts, and being able to talk to other children with sickle cell disease. This year the 14 year old from Jefferson City, Mo., is a junior counselor, and will spend the week sharing her knowledge with younger campers.
For 10 years, St. Louis Children's Hospital has offered Camp Crescent, a place where children who have sickle cell disease can have fun, and feel more confident in themselves and about living with sickle cell disease. Camp Crescent combines the traditional swimming, hiking, crafts, and campfires with a medical staff prepared to meet the special needs of campers who have sickle cell disease.
The medical staff includes camp director Michael Debaun, MD, hematology/oncology, St. Louis Childrens Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, and a dedicated team of volunteer physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists and chaplains. Education also is high on the agenda. "Education is key to improving the quality of life for kids with sickle cell disease, including avoiding complications," says Kim Ferguson, social worker, St. Louis Childrens Hospital.
Camp will be held the week of July 13 at Babler State Park in Wildwood, Mo. Attendance this year set a new record 42 campers, age 8-13, are registered.
Camp also includes 14-to-17-year-old counselors in training, like Laya, who have sickle cell disease. Regular counselors are at least 18 years of age and may have sickle cell disease. They attend monthly training sessions in the areas of leadership, behavior management, and sickle cell education prior to camp.
"Camp Crescent is really about having fun, plus self esteem and self advocacy," Ferguson says. "It's priceless to see the kids having fun, in a natural environment, instead of in the hospital."
Laya says Camp Crescent helped her self esteem. A soon-to-be high school freshman, Laya is on the student council, and enjoys swimming and art. "Camp Crescent helped me branch out," Laya says. "I can talk to my friends about my disease, and say 'I'm just like you, except that I have to take some special precautions'. It really is an amazing camp."
|