Asthma Camp
Asthma Camp is an initiative of the Community Asthma Programs, Hasbro Children's Hospital CVS/pharmacy Draw A Breath Educational Programs. It provides children with asthma the opportunity to participate in a weeklong summer camp.
This innovative asthma education program for children and their parents is designed to provide families with the knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively manage asthma. Our group-based approach creates a unique learning environment in which families learn from and are motivated by each other.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact us at 401-444-8340 or by e-mail at [email protected].
The Benefits of Asthma Camp
Living with asthma can be a challenging experience for a child. Asthma Camp increases children’s independence by showing them that they can be in control. Kids learn together how to take an active role in the management of their asthma.
What Campers Learn and Do at Asthma Camp
Campers learn asthma management skills in a fun and interactive environment while enjoying a range of camp experiences, such as swimming, archery, arts and crafts, and games.
Specifically, children learn:
- what happens to the lungs before and during an asthma attack.
- why it is important to take asthma medications as prescribed.
- to identify asthma warning signs and symptoms.
- what asthma triggers are and how to avoid them.
- how to prevent asthma attacks and better manage their asthma.
- that they can do anything when asthma is controlled.
Some Facts about Our Campers
Campers’ ages typically range from 9 to 13 and many campers have severe asthma. We obtain applications from many interested and enthusiastic campers, from families who have attended our asthma educational programs, through referrals from local and hospital-based clinics, from schools in the Greater Providence area, and from supportive case managers of insurance companies.
We have provided a camp experience to more than 650 children since 1998.
What Parents Say
"He learned what the triggers are and also how to personalize them."
"[My child learned] how to take care of her asthma, asthma triggers, and signs of coming asthma attacks."
"I was most impressed upon arrival with the organization of the check-in. It was efficient, speedy, yet at the same time each station took as much time as needed to ask the parent and children about important factors."
Asthma Camp Location and Staffing
Asthma Camp is week-long day camp located at Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center in North Scituate, RI. Counselors are hand-picked to ensure that children enjoy camp and educational activities.
Camp will run in the third week of July for a period of 4 days.
Medical Care and Medications
Daphne Koinis-Mitchell, PhD, director of the Community Asthma Programs, oversees Asthma Camp, along with the camp’s co-directors, Miosotis Alsina and Barbara Jandasek, PhD.
Campers receive state-of-the-art medical support in a clinic staffed by on-site and on-call medical providers. Medications are very closely monitored according to the instructions of each child's doctor. Each camper will bring his or her own medications to camp.
How the Program Is Funded
The generosity of our sponsoring organizations is what makes camperships possible! All camp costs are covered for each child, which makes this opportunity available to children with asthma, regardless of financial means. We are grateful for the sponsorship and support of the following organizations: Breeze Against Wheeze, the Shriners Organization of RI, and many others.
Breeze Against Wheeze Fundraising Events
Breeze Against Wheeze, an organization dedicated to fight childhood asthma, is are excited to share details about the upcoming Breeze Against Wheeze 5K and other events to raise money for the Hasbro Children’s Hospital Community Asthma Program’s Summer Asthma Camp.
Learn more About the Breeze Against Wheeze 5k (April 20, 2024)