CCFA Camp Oasis

"Camp was a blast! I feel wonderful that I'm not the only one!
Love, Sarah"

It looks like any other summer camp. You can hear the laughter, shrieks, and yelps of kids playing softball and "Simon Says." Campers race across a field, squealing in mock horror, trying to escape random squirts from water guns.

You wouldn't know it from looking at them, but all of these kids have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Some of them have never been away from home before, except for trips to the hospital. But here, they're just kids, having the time of their lives at CCFA Camp Oasis.

At CCFA, we know that many kids with IBD have already faced more challenges than the average adult. Delayed growth or sexual development, malnutrition, the need to use a feeding tube, or even medications that can lead to puffy faces, acne, and brittle bones -- the list of potential complications is staggering. Because of their special medical needs, many social activities, including going to camp, are out of the question for many of these kids. It's all too easy for them to feel isolated and self-conscious. A week or weekend at one of our Camp Oasis locations is an unforgettable experience that addresses these children's needs and can change their lives forever.  To hear what our campers have to say about our Camps, please watch our Camp video.

Because our camps are offered by chapters across the country, each camp has its own flavor and style. Activities, as well as dates and length of stay, vary from camp to camp. (Please see our Camp Calendar for details.) But every CCFA camp provides an exciting, varied program and high standards of care, including:

• 24-hour medical supervision by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare profesionals who are experienced in treating children with IBD.
• Dedicated and understanding CCFA volunteers and counselors-in-training who are carefully screened.
• A wide range of activities, which may include swimming, team sports, horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, arts and crafts, ropes courses, campfires, wildlife programs, and talent shows

We want every child to have the opportunity to attend camp -- and, thanks to generous donors nationwide, this dream is becoming a reality. Gifts of $500 or more may be designated to support CCFA Camp Oasis, and can help us to provide many of the extras that add to the camp experience. Items such as arts and crafts materials, disposable cameras, memory books, special t-shirts and water bottles all add to the special experience and provide lasting memories for our campers.

You can send your gift to:
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America
386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10016-8804
Attn: CCFA Camp Oasis

For more information, please call our National Headquarters, at 800-932-2423, extension 242.