Camp WholeHeart
Purpose
This camping weekend is designed to build resilience by helping campers better understand their condition through educational and recreational activities while promoting self-esteem, skill- based learning, sound nutrition and fitness concepts, social interactions with peers, support for families, and sensationally stupendous fun!
Camp Activities
Besides education about living with heart defects, additional camp activities include sailing, canoeing, hay rides, camp fires, archery, ropes course, talent show and more.
Also, each year a camp theme is selected (e.g. Board Games in 2017, Colors in 2016) and theme based learning and fun activities are planned.
Staff
The camp is organized by the camp leadership team of East Carolina University’s (ECU) Department of Human Development and Family Science and Pediatric Cardiology, as well as community volunteers. Caring ECU student volunteers, a pediatric cardiologist, and nurses are always present at camp to oversee safety and healthcare needs of campers. All of these individuals share their time, talents, and resources to create a magical weekend for the campers.
Camp Venue
Camp WholeHeart is held on the beautiful banks of the Neuse River at Camp Don Lee Center in Arapahoe, North Carolina.
Participation
Camp WholeHeart participation is provided at no cost to campers and their families. Space is limited to 30 campers. To determine if a child is eligible to attend Camp WholeHeart, contact the pediatric cardiologist’s office at ECU’s Brody School of Medicine.
Transportation
Round-trip transportation from Greenville to Camp Don Lee is provided at no cost to campers.
Camp Funding
Camp is funded through grants and donations.
Camp Leadership Team
Priti Desai, Associate professor, ECU Department of Human Development and Family Science (desaip@ecu.edu)
Charlie Sang, Section Head, ECU Pediatric Cardiology Clinic, Brody School of Medicine (BSOM)
Elizabeth Newcombe, ECU Pediatric Cardiology Nurse Specialist (newcombee14@ecu.edu)
Nikki Williams, Community Leadership Volunteer
ECU Student Leader (changes yearly)
