Dates for Vent Camp 2009: June 28 - July 2
Hope to See you there!!!
Appalachian Brewing
Company Fundraiser is March 21, 2009 4-8pm
PA Vent Camp is one of only a few camps in the United States for ventilator dependent children.
The primary significance of the camp is that it provides
the campers a highly anticipated and enjoyable "independent" living experience
away from home and parents and not in the hospital. There are other important
ramifications of camp as well.
Parents and caregivers have an opportunity for respite
from the 24 hour / day care responsibilities.
The experience in sharing brings together many
professionals who learn about the service provided by the Hershey Department of
Pediatrics and refer patients who are vent dependent but, also many other
children with other less complex respiratory problems.
The camp experience provides physicians and nurses with
a ready made community network of home care providers and respiratory
therapists which simplifies and expedites discharge planning.
The camp provides an opportunity for long - term
follow-up experience for nurses and therapists who may not care for these
children except in the acute setting.
Camp is an educational experience for all professionals
in that they have an opportunity to see how patients from other centers are
cared for.
The camp provides an excellent learning and service
opportunity for Junior Counselors who are high school and college students.
The camp provides the subject matter for TV coverage and
newspaper articles each year.
The camp has produced several clinical research
projects: Two abstracts and two poster presentations as well as an article for
publication in preparation.
