Guest Author - Cheryl Tidball, DO

Parents of asthmatic children are often nervous about letting their child take part in outdoor activities, particularly summer camp. Leaders of these activities are often equally ambivalent about letting these children participate and consider them to be too medically fragile. Children may feel isolated and “different” than their nonasthmatic friends and become reluctant to participate in sports and more active types of play. One great solution is to have your child participate in asthma camp, a special program to help teach your child how to manage their asthma in a safe and fun environment.

There are about 120 asthma camps across the country and are primarily sponsored by the American Lung Association that serve approximately 10,000 children per year. They are staffed by medical professionals and volunteers with special training and interest in asthmatic children. Most have relatively low camper fees and often have camper scholarships available. Studies published in the December 2007 edition of the Annals of Allergy and Immunology found that children who attend asthma camp have a lower incidence of emergency room and doctor’s office visits following their camping experience.

Children participate in an educational program that teaches them what asthma is, how to identify and avoid their triggers and how to use a metered dose inhaler and a nebulizer. They learn how to use a peak flow meter and set up an action plan to safely and effectively respond to changes in their respiratory status. The emotional and social aspects of asthma are also discussed and children learn that they are not alone. Of course, children also participate in the usual fun camp activities including hiking, crafts, swimming, boating, fishing, and horseback riding.

A parent class is also included which summarizes the asthma self-management skills that their children have learned at camp and how they can promote and encourage these skills at home. Parents learn how to keep their children healthy and active and to be able to solve problems when they occur. Some of the psychological aspects of raising asthmatic children are also discussed.

Asthma is controllable and treatable, and children who are taught to manage it can become healthier, more confident and more independent. Parents who learn to promote these skills in their children will find that their lives are less disrupted and they will feel less isolated and stressed as well.

For more information on asthma camps in your area, contact your local chapter of the American Lung Association or go to the Consortium of Children’s Asthma Camps’ web site at http://www.asthmacamps.org/asthmacamps/.