The Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center collaborates closely with unique medical camps in the Upstate New York region. Spending a week at summer camp is a special experience for our patients. At summer camp, children get to meet and play with peers who have bleeding disorders just like them. It’s a place where kids can meet other children with similar conditions and experiences, diminishing the lonely sense of isolation that can come with living with a chronic and misunderstood illness. Camp also empowers children to learn more about their bleeding disorder and can motivate them to take more responsibility for their care. Many children learn to self-infuse at camp, under the close supervision of supportive medical personal. Camps allow children to feel special without focusing solely on their medical condition. Camps are fun, safe places for a kid with a bleeding disorder to simply feel like a kid.
Please note that camps do require a physical exam, often documented within three months of camp. Please contact the Center for a bleeding disorder check-up prior to sending your child to camp.
Double H Ranch: for boys and girls, age 6-16 years, who may have a variety of acute and chronic illnesses, including a bleeding disorder. www.doublehranch.org
Camp High Hopes: for boys, age 7-17, with bleeding disorders. www.camphighhopes.org
Camp Little Oak: for girls, age 7 to 17, with bleeding disorders.
All three camps listed above run for about a week in the summer and are free of charge for families. Dates of camp may vary from year-to-year. Contact the camp directly for more details or call the Center’s Social Worker with any questions at (585) 922-5700.
