Camp Activities

Dr. Bill Neches Heart Camp for Kids logo In addition to the typical outdoor camping activities, Heart Camp offers several unique opportunities. Two of the favorites among the campers that offer an educational element are Ask the Doctor/Nurse and Ask the Counselor.

Ask the Doctor/Nurse

During the Ask the Doctor/Nurse session, campers are encouraged to ask the doctors and nurses questions about their heart conditions. The medical staff answers each child’s question in simple language that children can understand, often using diagrams and other visual aids. This group discussion helps children recognize they are not “defective” and that their illnesses were not caused by anything bad they may have done.

Campers also ask the doctors and nurses about their future and advances being made in pediatric cardiology.

On the lighter side, children ask the staff personal questions to try to learn more about the people who take care of them.

Ask the Counselor

The Ask the Counselor session is held with the entire group. During this session, each of the counselors shares stories about their heart conditions, what kind of procedures they have had, how they have learned to cope with their conditions and what they do outside of Heart Camp. Campers are then encouraged to ask the counselors questions regarding: