Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Asthma Camp Set

Summer will soon be here and with it comes swimming, fishing, playing -- and for children with asthma, Asthma Camp.

This year's camp, in memory of Stella Boyle Smith, will be held July 20-25 at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock. Camp is sponsored by the American Lung Association of Arkansas in cooperation with MedCamps of Arkansas and Camp Aldersgate.

Arts and crafts, hiking, canoeing, swimming and fishing are just some of the fun activities asthmatic children ages 6 to 16 enjoy at Asthma Camp.

The camp encourages children with moderate to severe asthma to have fun, be a "regular kid" and meet other children who deal with the same problems. In addition, campers also learn to deal with their asthma through daily educational sessions concerning identifying asthma triggers and understanding and properly using asthma medication.

Asthma Camp provides a summer camp for children, who, because of asthma, might be unable to enjoy a regular camping experience. Campers receive 24-hour medical supervision by a medical support staff comprised of volunteers who have experience in dealing with asthma.

Asthma camp is free to campers and their families and is made possible through the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Christmas Seals and other freewill donations. The American Lung Association pays the fee of $375 per child attending ashtma camp, so campers are based on medical need instead of their ability to pay.

To receive an applciaton for Asthma Camp, to sponsor a child or for more information, call the American Lung Associaton of Arkansas at 1-800-586- 4872.