Parents from all walks of life look forward to providing their children with fun summertime outdoor escapes. The parents I know, many of whom have children with mild-to-severe skin disease, also want their youngsters to enjoy these types of pastimes. Raising a child with a chronic skin condition presents challenges that may make camp activities like swimming, hiking, and archery seem out of reach. The American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Camp Discovery changed all that.

The AAD founded Camp Discovery in 1993 to allow children with special skin to experience a typical summer camp, where everyone has the opportunity to make new, lifelong friends and gain self-confidence. Campers learn that different skin does not need to be a hindrance to learning how to catch a fish, paddle a canoe, or perform in a talent show. Children with a range of skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, alopecia, epidermolysis bullosa, and ichthyosis find that something magical happens when they get to Camp Discovery. They may see someone who looks like them for the first time, whether it is a fellow camper or a camp counselor who shares their condition. Feeling like they belong, these children have the opportunity to be regular kids, rather than think about themselves as someone who looks different from everyone else.

Although there are many serious diseases impacting children every day, often outsiders do not know that by only appearance alone. That is not the case with visible skin conditions. In fact, a 2006 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology compared quality-of-life issues for children with a chronic skin disease to children with other chronic diseases, such as cerebral palsy, renal disease, cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, and diabetes (Beattie & Lewis-Jones, 2006). The study found that children with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis felt their condition caused more impairment on quality of life second only to children with cerebral palsy. Camp Discovery has the most potential to make a positive impact for children who are struggling with social and emotional issues related to their skin.

Since Camp Discovery's inception, it has grown from one to six camps in five states across the country. We founded the Burton, Texas location of Camp Discovery in 2007. Each year, I am inspired by the more than 75 new and returning campers who courageously try activities like horseback riding, rock-wall climbing, and the zipline. However, I am most inspired by the bravery of children who attend camp for the very first time! What a joy to see a child with alopecia feel safe to go without their wig or a youngster with an extensive congenital nevus have fun swimming with a group, or when a young teen with severe eczema realizes that they are not the only one facing the challenges of their condition.

When a child goes from withdrawn and depressed to confident and brave, that is when I know Camp Discovery has worked its magic. Here, in their own words, is what children have said after their week at camp:

I had a chance to meet new friends that have the same condition as I do.

Camp means belonging. Camp is comfort.

Camp means being a part of something. Not being alone.

Camp is a place where I can go and people understand how my skin feels and they don't stare at me because I'm different.

I can stand out without prejudice or judgment.

It was the funnest week I've ever had.

Camp means hope.

Every year, we also hear testimonies of camp parents, who often go from feeling overwhelmed by their child's condition to incredibly grateful to Camp Discovery for its role in redefining their child's life. This is a sample of feedback parents have given us over the years:

He was able to make new friends who quickly accepted him despite his disorder.

It does her a lot of good to see that she is not the only one who suffers from a skin condition.

The friendships she has made through camp are invaluable.

It was a wonderful, positive experience. He was smiling in all the photos he brought home.

Thank you very much for giving my son the opportunity to enjoy himself and to remind him that he is not alone.

My son used to cover his head with a hat, but since he came home from camp, he has accepted his alopecia universalis and does not wear a hat anymore.

I have volunteered as a Camp Director for 13 years, which has provided the opportunity to see some of our initial campers grow into confident young adults. Quite a few of them have come back as counselors, wanting to make a difference in the lives of children facing challenges they are so familiar with. Many of these campers-turned-counselors credit Camp Discovery as the place where they began to view their lives more positively, and they do their best to empower their campers to do the same.

Thanks to the AAD, its members, and dedicated donors, Camp Discovery is provided at no cost to children, parents, and volunteers. You can join us in helping make camp memories happen by volunteering for Camp Discovery. It is a big, big commitment of time and energy, but our volunteers are vital to making camp a safe and meaningful experience for our kids! Another very important way to contribute is by referring a patient to Camp Discovery. Be watchful for youngsters who exhibit signs of low self-esteem, depression, and isolation as a result of their skin disease, regardless of the severity. These are the children who often benefit the most from camp. By either volunteering or referring, we are in a unique position to help children find a renewed quality of life and an unforgettable, magical experience at Camp Discovery.

For more information about Camp Discovery and how you can get involved, visit http://campdiscovery.org.

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