Growing up with heart disease can pose significant physical and emotional challenges. Exercise capacity can be limited and children often feel excluded from healthy kids. Camp Joyful Hearts’ mission is to give these children the opportunity to form meaningful, lasting relationships with others affected by this chronic illness. Through Camp Joyful Hearts, CHA aims to help local children overcome these challenges by forming a much-needed support network of peers living in similar circumstances.
Camp Facilities
Camp Joyful Hearts is held at Joy Outdoor Education Center, 10117 Old 3-C Highway, in Clarksville, Ohio. The camp occupies 315 acres of trees, trails, fields and meadows overlooking a river valley. Three handicap accessible cabins with indoor bathrooms and hot showers will house campers near the air-conditioned dining hall.
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Who May Attend?
Any child or adolescent with a congenital or acquired heart disease, ages 8 to 18, may attend. Teens with heart disease, ages 16 to 21, can volunteer as leaders-in-training and assist counselors with younger children.
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When?
Camp is run yearly with the 2009 date set for July 7 - 11.
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May We Visit?
In order to safeguard the privacy of all campers and to foster camper independence, visitors and phone calls are not permitted during the camp session. If a camper must be contacted, the parent / guardian should contact The Heart Center camp director at 513-636-7257 or 800-344-2462, extension 6-7257. You can dial 937-725-4036 for emergencies.
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Sponsors
The Children's Heart Association
The American Heart Association
The Heart Center at Cincinnati Children's
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Camp Joyful Hearts Activities
Activities are catered to each child's abilities and are intended to develop friendships and promote individual growth. All camp activities are supervised in a safe and nurturing environment. Activities include archery, arts and crafts, boating, fishing, nature hikes, outdoor games, skits, swimming, pioneer lore, singing, education programs, and more.
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Camp Staff
The camp staff includes a full-time camp director, program specialists, summer cabin counselors and support staff. The counselors are selected from experienced college-age and older individuals with an interest in working with children who have chronic illnesses. A pediatric cardiologist, respiratory therapist, cardiac nurses are on the premises 24 hours a day.
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