Day camp caters to children living with medical conditions
An enthusiastic group of children who live with difficult medical conditions took part in a free camp Saturday that promotes dance, gymnastics and the chance to be a star for the day.
“There are not a lot of opportunities for my daughter to do things that are more hands-on,” said Sandra Berube, whose 13-yearold daughter Madison lives with an artificial heart.
“She has a backpack she carries around 24/7 and an IV line that continuously runs,” she said. “This camp gives her the opportunity to do gymnastics ... it’s pretty amazing.”
The Starlight Performance Camp was launched last year by students from the University of Alberta faculty of medicine and dentistry.
“It’s for children who have might have any condition that restricts them,” said medical student Andree Vincent, who co-founded the camp.
The 36 participants included children with Down syndrome, autism, anxiety disorders or those who have been through chemotherapy, she said, adding ages ranged from five to 14.
“There’s a wide variety of conditions,” she said. “Anything that might make a child feel like they can’t quite keep up.”
In one corner of the Saville Community Sports Centre gym, about a dozen children played with an oversized rainbow parachute while another group worked on a dance routine, preparing for a final performance in the afternoon.
It’s a way for children to develop their confidence and character, Vincent said. “Today is their opportunity for them to be the star.”
The day-long program cycles children through gymnastics, dance, cheerleading and fashion, where they customize camp T-shirts.
“It’s a fun atmosphere. We want it to be as positive as possible,” Vincent said, adding volunteers number about one to every two children. “We wanted more hands on deck.”
Debbie Hill said her two granddaughters were beaming when they arrived.
“I see the benefits that these kids get who otherwise don’t have a lot of normal activities,” she said.
Her 10-year-old granddaughter Cheyanne Mattern made history as Alberta’s youngest recipient of a double lung and heart transplant in 2011.
“I’m a proud grandma,” she said, noting Mattern’s younger sister came along to camp for fun. “It’s fantastic ... I think a lot of families don’t know about this, and that’s the sad part.”
The camp operates on a $1,500 annual budget, with donations of supplies and space by the Ortona Gymnastics Club.