CHAMPS is going strong
Now in it's fourth year, the Children's Healthy Heart Camps in Saskatchewan (CHAMPS) is bringing a special group of kids together for a unique opportunity
Many of us remember the fun and excitement of summer camp experiences - trying new activities, making friends and keeping busy during the holiday break. This is where the Children's Healthy Heart Camp in Saskatchewan (CHAMPS) excels and offers that same experience to kids and families in unique circumstances.
Now in its fourth summer, CHAMPS brings children with cardiac conditions together in a supportive, safe environment that encourages them to build their confidence and participate in physical activity opportunities. Camp numbers expanded to 30 kids this year allowing both previous participants to return and others to join for the first time. These kids may have been unable to play sports or engage in physically demanding activities previously due to their individual health circumstances. However, with careful monitoring, camp gives them a chance to push their boundaries, try new things and surprise themselves with what they can do. As the only camp of its kind in Canada, we are excited to welcome our CHAMPS campers back again this year.
The origins of CHAMPS began in a multidisciplinary team research grant awarded to Dr. Marta Erlandson and Dr. Corey Tomczak in the College of Kinesiology along with Dr. Charissa Pockett, a faculty member in the College of Medicine and head of the Pediatric Cardiology department, in addition to a psychology colleague from the University of Regina. Each day’s activities are based in a specially designed chronic disease management and prevention program with sessions targeted for children with congenital heart conditions. In addition to fun games and activities, indoors and out, the campers also have an opportunity to learn about nutrition and managing their emotional responses to health issues.
Initial funding for the camp came from the Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan but several other supporters have stepped in to ensure that camp continued this year, including the Mending Little Hearts Fund of Saskatchewan. Through the support of our sponsors and gifts to the Mending Little Hearts Fund, we continue to be able to offer this incredible experience no cost to the campers or families. Gifts to support the fund are always welcome and will help ensure future programming.
See more about the camp, and the impact of the experience for the children and families:
Additional stories were also shared in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix and more fun memories from this year's camp have been shared on the Mending Little Hearts of Saskatchewan Facebook page.