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Summer Camp in a Safe Hospital Setting

Camp Get-A-Well-A brings a camp experience right inside the hospital, so kids confined to a medical facility can still experience the thrills of summer camp. This in-hospital summer camp in a sterile setting is the first of its kind in the United States. Five-day camps as well as single event or single day "outreach" camps are available. Since 1998, Camp Get-A-Well-A has served over 10,000 kids, benefiting children's hospitals and patients across the country from Philadelphia, PA to Phoenix, AZ.

Camp Stories

Keeping Dallas' Smile Afloat

Dallas on a Canoe Ride at Camp Get-A-Well-A

Dallas was born at Philadelphia Children's Hospital with major health complications that required 24-hour care. The hospital staff was the only family he ever knew. Dallas was a veteran of Camp Get-A-Well-A, attending camp four out of the six years of his life. With his physical limitations, Dallas could not sing, play, do crafts, or speak, and it was rare to see him smile or interact with other children.

Dallas' first and only "canoe trip" came while floating in the hospital therapy pool at Camp Get-A-Well-A in 2004. The canoe ride brought a faint, but evident smile to Dallas' face -- the first time any of the staff had witnessed him smiling. He didn't want the ride to end, as volunteers pushed his canoe back and forth in the pool. Everyone could tell what he was feeling, even though he would never be able to say it.


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