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Welcome to Camp Rhythm
2020 Camp Rhythm Cancelled
Rhythm Nation: We have made the difficult decision to cancel Camp Rhythm for 2020. Please know this decision was made after much thought among our leadership team and based on the current national effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please take care of yourselves and each other as we all look forward to 2021.
Thank you- Julie, Theresa, Charlotte, Lynn and Dr. Grady
If you or someone you know would like to be placed on the mailing list 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 an overnight 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.
Camp Rhythm is designed to:
- Provide a residential camping experience for area children with congenital or acquired 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 heart 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.
Camp Activities
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 activities have included:
- Carnival
- Medical Mania
- Dance Party with a DJ
- Campfire
Camp Rhythm Staff
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 St. Louis Children's Hospital volunteers. All volunteers must go through training and screenings at St. Louis Children's Hospital prior to camp. Volunteers must be 18 years of age and older. Camp counselors are adults familiar with heart defects, including some former pediatric cardiac patients.
Contact
Email: charlols@bjc.org
Phone: 314.454.2485
