About Camp Chihopi

Camp Chihopi aims to provide a non-medical environment where campers can interact with other children and staff who have similar medical backgrounds in the setting of a summer camping experience. The goal of this experience is to support the children as they increase self-esteem through peer interactions and to practice and improve their skills in self-advocacy and becoming more independent.

These young liver, kidney, or intestine transplant recipients are learning about their chronic condition and transplant care as they get older. Camp provides an opportunity for them to take another step in adapting and coping with their medical routines and chronic care with the support of new friends and the camp staff. The campers’ experiences during the activity-filled four days of camp leads to a better understanding of their transplant health and their ability to be active and participate. Friendships, increased independence, learning, and having fun are all a part of Chihopi!

Mission Statement

Camp Chihopi aims to provide a non-medical environment in which the campers can increase self-esteem and interact with other children of similar medical backgrounds in the setting of a summer camping experience.

"It’s nice being at a camp where everybody has the same scar," a girl reflects on her Camp Chihopi experience.

The Campers

Campers range in age from 7 to 15 years and are grouped in cabins by age and developmental level. There are up to eight campers in each cabin who are supervised by at least two Counselors and a CIT. Specialty staff are assigned to cabins as required to support individual camper needs.

Camp Staff

Campers are supervised by health care professionals and volunteers who have experience working with children and pediatric transplant recipients. Additionally, many older transplant recipients are now attending camp as counselors and staff. Many of these young adults have had several years experience at Camp Chihopi as campers when they were younger.

Transplant recipients who are 16 -17 years of age may attend Camp Chihopi as a Counselor-in-Training (CIT). The CIT position helps older teens transition from the camper role to a leadership role over one to three years. These teens are supervised by a CIT leader who helps them adjust to this early leadership role and guides them in organizing specific events for the campers. Additionally, under the leadership of the Counselors, they learn how to help care for the younger campers.

The Health Center is staffed by experienced transplant nurses from Children’s Hospital that most of the children know from being in the hospital or transplant clinic. Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners are available at all times and at least one doctor from Children’s Hospital is on site throughout the camp session.

Learn more about the camp activities.