The Magic of Camp: Every Child Deserves a Childhood
Camp Korey held two week-long sessions during the summer of 2008, and expanded to five in 2009. Camp Korey hosted seven summer camp sessions in 2010, in addition to family weekend camps, year-round hospital outreach and special events. For a few days or more at Camp Korey, children enjoy the novel experience of being defined not by their medical diagnosis, but by their spirit, their creativity, and their own potential.
Programs at Camp Korey are specifically designed for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses. Campers can safely enjoy traditional camp activities, with the addition of full medical support, adaptive methods, and the practice of “challenge by choice.” Camp Korey campers can swim, boat, fish, enjoy arts and crafts, try horseback riding, climb an indoor climbing wall or our new adaptive ropes course, and so much more. Campers take part in fun camp-wide evening activities, including campfires complete with marshmallows and songs, a dance party, stage night, movies, and more. Camp Korey is all about FUN, and time spent here is filled with laughter, making friends, and discovering new talents. Children whose lives have been a series of medical procedures and hospital stays are transformed into “just kids.” Campers spend time with caring counselors, and with other kids coping with the same illnesses or conditions. They quickly realize that at camp they are not alone, and learn to feel special rather than different.
- Children First – Children are children first; their abilities and medical conditions do not define them. All of the activities at camp, from meal time and boating, to ropes courses and cabin chats, are designed to be child-centered.
- Therapeutic Play – Everything at camp incorporates intentional programming and is based on the principles of therapeutic recreation. Camp activities build confidence, independence and optimism.
- Challenge By Choice – Each individual chooses to what extent they participate in each activity depending on their appropriate level of challenge. Through challenge by choice, children have the opportunity to try new things in an environment that is positive and exciting.
- Barrier Free – Camp and camp activities are universally accessible making it possible for children to participate in any activity they choose. In addition, children of all backgrounds, circumstances and with a wide variety of medical conditions are welcome, always free of charge.
Our Remarkable Home
Camp Korey had the great fortune of finding Carnation Farm the even greater fortune of selling the property back to its original family of owners in March 2010. The Elbridge and Debra Stuart Foundation purchased Carnation Farm and now lease the property back to Camp Korey for thirty years at a nominal rate. This arrangement, between the camp and the great-grandson of the Carnation Company founder, allows Camp Korey to focus on high-quality programming and the farm to preserve its legacy.
Interested in taking a guided walking tour?
Contact Mary Ann Hutchinson (mhutchinson@campkorey.org or 425-844-3278) to schedule a visit of the camp.
