Camp Rhythm was featured on NBC Nightly News. Click here to see Kevin Tibbles' report.
We've already started planning Camp Rhythm 2010, and the exact dates will be announced soon!
If you or someone you know would like to be placed on the mailing list for 2010 or would like more information about Camp Rhythm, you can
call or email with the camper full name and birthdate, parent's name and address, and phone number if you would like a return phone call.
Camp Rhythm is a 5-day/4-night camp for children who were born with a heart defect or developed a heart problem that required intervention and ongoing follow-up care prior to the age of 18.
View photos of 2009 Camp Rhythm.
- Provide a residential camping experience for area children born with heart defects.
- Provide a safe environment where campers will learn they are not alone in living with heart disease.
- Create an environment where it is normal to be sick, tired, have scars and take medication.
- Allow children to feel accepted, build confidence and make lifelong friends.
The camp also includes a day camp for younger children (ages 5-7) born with a heart defect. These children will attend camp for three days during the week.
Each day at Camp Rhythm is packed FULL of activities. In the morning, campers attend activities with their cabin mates and are given the chance to explore all the programming available. In the afternoon, campers are allowed Free Choice and can decide on their own what activities to attend. This gives them a chance to bond as a cabin group and attend activities together and make new friends outside their cabins as well. Here's an idea of what kinds of activities to look forward to:
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Sports and games
- Arts & crafts
- Archery
In the evening, all sorts of new fun awaits campers. Camp Rhythm planning staff works very hard to plan really fun, engaging activities for all campers to enjoy. In year’s past, some of the evening activites have included ~
- Carnival
- Medical Mania
- Dance Party with a DJ
- Campfire
Medical staff includes a minimum of a nurse and a pediatric cardiologist that is available at all times. Additional staff includes a certified child life specialist, pediatric social worker, cardiac nurses and SLCH volunteers. All volunteers must go through training and screenings at SLCH prior to camp. Volunteers must be 16 years of age and older. Camp counselors are adults familiar with heart defects, including some former pediatric cardiac patients.
Email
camprhythm@bjc.org
Phone
314.454.2287
Click here to view Photos from Camp Rhythm