We greatly appreciate all of your support ...

Camp del Corazon is an organization that provides a medically supervised, residential summer camp for children ages 7-17 who are living with heart disease, as well as additional programs for these children and their families. Located on Catalina Island, 22 miles off the California coastline, our camp has served approximately 300 children each year for the past eleven years. Having begun with a volunteer staff of two, 49 campers and a minimal budget, our growth and success stands as a testament to our steady commitment to the population we serve.

We offer our camping program free-of-charge, as the families affected by this disease already incur incredible financial burdens from medical bills and often have to seek private or home schooling due to the numerous doctors’ appointments and hospital stays these children require. Children with congenital heart disease are the most underserved pediatric population in the nation, and funding and resources for these children are very scarce. The overwhelming amount of funds raised by prominent charities goes toward adults with coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke. There is much attention paid to adults with heart disease, but virtually nothing for children born with damaged hearts.

The children served by Camp del Corazon are not eligible for the summer camping experience offered by other member agencies of the American Camping Association due to the fact that they require round-the-clock medical supervision and care. Many of these children have had several open-heart surgeries, pacemakers, and/or heart transplants, and many face several more surgeries in their futures. These children and their families live every day knowing that they are at a high-risk for mortality. Our camp offers an opportunity to finally be ‘normal,’ to forget their ailments and to connect with others who have had similar experiences and scars. For most of these children, this is the only experience they have away from home, as they are often too sick to go on vacations or to even stay overnight at a friend’s house, away from their parents, who have to monitor their health on a 24-hour basis. Parents of children with heart conditions are often fearful that activities enjoyed by ‘normal’ kids could be harmful. There are very few camps with the ability or medically trained staff to provide for these special needs children, or places that their parents would trust.

Sending 150 children to each camp session along with over 80 volunteer staff is an enormous under-taking. The approximate cost per child for the 5-day camp is $1,200, which does not take into account the volunteer staff and counselors’ time and experience. With the exception of office staff, Camp del Corazon is run entirely on a volunteer basis. We offer a full camping experience including sleeping in a cabin, nature walks, rock wall climbing, ropes course, arts & crafts, and many other recreational activities and programs associated with a traditional summer camp. We also provide an environment that offers support and self-esteem building and socialization that these children do not otherwise have access to.

Impact of camp studies prove that camp helps to strengthen the confidence and self-esteem of children and your support will give these very special children life-altering experiences that cannot be put into words. As a testament to the impact the camp has on these young souls, most return year after year to relive experiences they can get nowhere else. Still, there are hundreds of children we are not able to serve each year due to the tremendous resources required to make it happen.

Camp del Corazon enriches the lives of children living with heart disease. We are more than just a summer camp though. Not only do we provide a summer camp experience for children, but we also provide opportunities for growth, education and support through family symposiums and leadership programs. Additionally, we host an Educational Symposium (funded by the American Heart Association) for families from all over the nation that are affected by heart disease and a Leadership Program for young adults who are no longer age-eligible for our camp. As our camper population has matured, we have found that there are no specific programs designed for the 18-25 year olds who are going through the transition phases into adulthood while living with their medical problems and issues. In response to this, we have created forums and weekends for these young adults to provide additional self-esteem and personal growth programs, as well as continued support.

We thank you for your consideration to support our camp.

To be transferred to the secure online donation form please click here.

To download a printable PDF version of the donation form please click here.

Secure online donation & printable form ...

To be transferred to the secure online donation form please click here.

 

To download a printable PDF version of the donation form please click here.

There are many ways that you can help us ...

Camp del Corazon is supported by and funded through individuals, corporations and fundraisers. It is your support that makes our dream possible. Online donations are not the only way to support Camp del Corazon. In fact there are many ways you can help us reach our goals:

Wish List

• Storage unit in San Fernando Valley
• Radios for camp
• Batteries (all sizes)
• Gift cards to: Michael’s; REI; Sports Chalet; Target; Circuit City and similar stores.
• Digital cameras for cabins at camp

Plan your own event!

• Do a bake sale
• Plan a bowling tournament
• Plan a poker tournament

Auction Items

Camp is always looking for items to be used in the various events (golf tournament, galas, auctions, etc.) If you have any items or certificates that would be appropriate for our silent or live auctions, please contact Ronya Waters in the camp office. Great items include: event tickets; airline miles; certificates to restaurants; handmade items; sports related items; entertainment related items.

Donate your Time

The Camp Office periodically needs help (in North Hollywood) for mailings; data basing; getting everything ready for camp; and event committees.

eScrip

We are participating in a powerful fundraising opportunity with Vons, Pavilions and many other retailers powered by eScrip.   eScrip and over 150 retailers have created a system that rewards loyalty by contributing a percentage of purchases to our camp. BUT YOU NEED TO SIGN UP to be part of the program. You can register your grocery store club cards and/or your debit card if you like.  To do so, go to the website:  www.escrip.com and register today!  Our group ID is:  500001453.

United Way

If you are interested in making a donation thru the United Way, contact your human resources representative about facilitating the donation thru your company or contact your local United Way office. You will need to provide Camp del Corazon’s tax id #: 95-4599670

Matching Gifts Program

Double or even triple your gift to Camp del Corazon by having your employer match your contribution! Many companies have a 3 to 1 or 2 to 1 matching program (example: your gift of $100 could be a $300 gift to Camp!). Check with your human resources department about your corporate matching gift program.

Volunteer Info / Volunteering at Other Events

Please join our Volunteer list! Send your name, email and/or address and phone number to: Ronya at rwaters@campdelcorazon.org if you would like to be kept informed of our progress and invited to our fundraisers and events.