Asthma is often viewed as a limitation for sports and other activities, especially activities that take place outside. At Camp Tall Turf’s Asthma Camp, these limitations are overcome and asthmatic kids can be kids.
Asthma Camp, now in its 16th year, is run through a partnership with the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. This unique 5-day session for youth ages 8-13 takes place at Camp Tall Turf in Walkerville, MI. During Asthma Camp there is continuous on-site medical supervision by pediatric pulmonologists, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and a staff of pediatric nurses, respiratory therapists and community physicians.
Medical personnel administer asthma medications and go out with cabin and activity groups to keep asthmatic campers safe as they fully participate in the many fun activities camp has to offer. Asthmatic campers are put in cabins with non-asthmatic campers and together the camp all learns that asthma is not something that has to hold you back. Cabin groups even go on an overnight campout in tents. One long-time asthma camper, Jolene, shared that she likes asthma camp because with medical staff on site “you can do everything you want to do without someone yelling at you to say you can’t.” Check out this youtube video for the rest of Jolene’s testimony.
All youth ages 8-13 may apply for asthma camp. Acceptance into this session is made by the physicians that supervise the camp. All applicants will be notified of their child’s acceptance or denial well before the session. The fee for this session is only $35 per camper with a generous gift from the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital covering additional costs. Visit the website to learn more about this special session and to watch a clip from one of the lead doctors, Dr. John Schuen.
Contact the Tall Turf Ministries office at 616-452-7906 with further questions and to request registration forms. You may also apply in person at the Tall Turf Ministries office which is located in the old firehouse at 816 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507. Children who do not have asthma may apply for this session with a general Camp Tall Turf registration form. Contact Tall Turf for these forms and to learn more about all of the summer sessions that are available to youth ages 8-17.
Disclosure: Sarah DeYoung works at Tall Turf Ministries.
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