Since 2003, California FairPlay organizes each summer a camping experience free of cost to children with mild to severe asthma. Currently, the camp is open on a first come, first served basis only to children 6 to 12 years old.
Medical staff is on site with the purpose of educating camp participants on how to live with asthma. The camp balances fun with education about asthma, which is one of the leading causes of school absences in the Sacramento area. Last Year, 2009, we served 82 Asthmatic children at camp.
The Camp
California FairPlay Asthma Camp takes place at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, California. The camp was built by the Taylor Family Foundation in partnership with the East Bay Regional Park District.
The camp’s operator is the East Bay YMCA, which also runs the outdoor activities. Currently, the use of the camp is provided free of charge to California FairPlay. This includes lodging, meals, as well as free access to all activities for all camp participants and volunteers.
The agreements for the use of the camp was secured by California FAirPlay based on its current fundraising budget. Increases in fundraising might result in California FairPlay having to pay for the camp.
Two 48 passenger busses owned and operated by the University of California, Davis are made available to California FairPlay to transport campers and volunteers to and from the camp.
The Camp for 2010 takes place during the 2nd week of June (11th – 14th) over the course of 4 days and 3 nights spent at the camp.
Approximately 70-85 campers have participated each year in the camp. Camp participants are recruited for the camp through direct mailings and community outreach programs.
Arrival at the camp occurs before lunch on day 1 and departure occurs on day 4 after lunch. Asthma education is provided at the camp. This education is intended to promote self-care, self image and independence in campers suffering from Asthma by giving them knowledge that can be used to reduce the numbers and severity of Asthma episodes.
Additional camp activities include:
- Asthma Skits
- Ice Cream Social
- Swimming
- Horseback Riding
- Boating
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Croquet
- Ping Pong
- Hiking
- Nature Walks
- Gardening
- Rock Wall Climbing
- Environmental Education
- Arts and Crafts
- Indoor Games
- Singing