Frequently Asked Questions
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Question: What is the cost to send my child to camp?
Answer: Our camp is free to any child with heart disease or with a history of heart disease. Your only cost will be to get your camper to the boat docks.
Question: Do the campers need to pre-register?
Answer: Yes! Campers do need to pre-register, the application forms are mailed out in April.
Question: What are the requirements of who can attend your camp?
Answer: Any child age 7-17 with heart disease or a history of heart disease may attend. (There are a few basic medical requirements that need to be met.)
Question: What is the length and dates of camp?
Each camp session is five days long, held over the Memorial day, and Labor Day week.
Answer (Malibu): The Malibu camp session is for ages 7-17 years old inclusive. There will be two sessions; (1st) June 18, 2008 to June 22, 2008, (2nd) June 23rd to June 27th.
Answer (Catalina Island): The Junior Camp is for ages 7-12 years old, and will be from Aug. 25, 2008, Aug. 29, 2008.The Teen Camp is for ages 13-17 years old from Aug 29, 2008 to Sept. 02, 2008 on Catalina Island.
Question: When do you need definite confirmation by the camper?
Answer: Camp is on a first come - first serve basis. We can not guarantee any child's position at Camp until all the forms are in. All of the necessary forms can be downloaded here.
Question: From where do the campers depart?
Answer(Catalina Island): We depart for camp from Fisherman's Village which is located at Marina del Rey. All Campers need to check-in by 9:00am on the first day of their designated camp.
Answer(Malibu):
Question: Where is camp held?
Answer: Camp is held at Catalina Island Camps, an ACA site on Catalina Island, approximately 22 miles off the west coast of Los Angeles in a natural island setting.
Answer (Malibu): Cottontail Ranch a ACA site is located in Malibu Canyon adjacent to 2,600 acres of state park and just 4 miles from Malibu Beach.
Question: Are you an accredited camp?
Answer: Yes! We are fully accredited by the American Camping Association, and camp is held on only accredited ACA campsites. We are also a member of the Western Association of Independent Camps.
Question: What kind of activities do you offer?
Answer: Depending on the camper's ability, we offer kayaking, swimming, archery, hiking, volleyball, soccer, arts & crafts, wall climbing, Horseback riding(site specific), and many other camp activities. The favorite activity is our "Disco Bingo " dance night!
Question: Do these children (Parent/Legal Guardian) have to sign a disclaimer to come to camp?
Answer: Yes, a typical disclaimer must be signed.
Question: What kind of medical staff do you have?
Answer: Each camp session is staffed with a combination of three to six of some of the best pediatric cardiologists and physicians available. There are also fifteen to twenty (CCU, ICU, pediatric) nurses. We have a fully equipped cardiac infirmary, Medic-Evac boat, as well as air evacuation if needed.
Question: Do these children need insurance, or does camp provide some? If so, what types, etc.?
Answer: The camp does not provide health insurance for the children. At present, we do not have a policy regarding insurance because all US Citizens under 21 years of age with heart disease qualify for state funded insurance. This same program will cover foreigners with a medical emergency. We do, however, request information about your child's medical insurance in case of an emergency.
Question: What safeguards are there for children's security? What checks have you done on the staff, especially counselors?
Answer: All of our staff and counselors has a ACA approved National background check completed, need to submit an application that includes references, screened and interviewed by our Staffing committee and Executive Camp Director. The majority of our counselors have experience with children with some whom are medical professionals or have their own history of heart disease.
Question: What sort of documentation is required of the campers?
Answer: We require a two page, five-part application that includes medical information, an estimation of activity tolerance, and general demographic information. A physician must complete two of the five parts. These forms are in addition to the release forms.
Question: What sort of documentation is required for campers who live abroad?
Answer: We do not know what documentation is required for international travel, but I don't believe anything more than a passport is required. Please contact your local authority for more information.
Question: What kind of qualified staff do you have?
Answer: Our lifeguards all hold current Red Cross lifeguard/CPR certification; the climbing wall staff is all pre-trained, and also cross-trained on the actual wall on the island. We have current licenses of all the Nurses and physicians. All speciallty volunteers that require a license or certification have been checked and verified. A copy is kept of record at the camp office
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