TM-ADEM-NMO Family Camp at Victory Junction August 19-24 2007
 
The Transverse Myelitis Association is partnering with the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, North Carolina to hold a bi-annual summer camp for kids ages 7-15 and their families.  The camp occasionally accepts those outside of this age range, however, the activities and venues are geared toward those ages.  Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis, so do not let the camper’s age deter you from submitting an application. The number of families we can serve on-site is limited to 32 families of up to eight immediate family members.  It is important that you contact one of the officers of the TMA as quickly as possible, if you are planning to attend the 2007 Family Camp; families will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Victory Junction Gang Camp is extraordinary in its eagerness to serve the pediatric TM community, including parents and siblings, regardless of geographic location or extent of disability.  The camp is totally accessible, including the activities – fishing, tower climbing, horseback riding, mini-golf, swimming, arts and crafts, and much, much more, all in facilities and a setting that is truly phenomenal.  Full accommodations for ventilator dependent kids are on site as are fully staffed medical facilities.

A number of our Medical Advisory Board physicians have committed to attending the family camp with their own families, including Drs. Doug Kerr, Adam Kaplin, Ben Greenberg, Frank Pidcock and Greg Barnes.  The physicians and Chitra Krishnan will make some formal presentations and they will be available during the week to answer your questions in a non-clinical setting.  However, the emphasis is on having a fun week at camp. 

There is no cost to attend Victory Junction Gang Camp!  Meals, lodging, and all of the fun you can possibly imagine are free to each family.  You will, however, need to get yourselves to the camp.  The Piedmont Triad Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina is approximately 20 miles away and airport pick-ups can be arranged.

If you are interested in attending, we need to know.  If you would like to come to camp, but simply cannot afford the travel expenses, please let us know.  We can’t promise you’ll get there, but we will do what we can to make it happen.

For those families coming from within the United States, applications will be available after January, 2007.  Our international members who are planning to attend should contact us as soon as possible.  We know that your travel will take time to arrange, and you will need to initiate the process of applying for your travel visas.   Please contact Stephen Miller at smiller@myelitis.org; Paula Lazzeri at plazzeri@myelitis.org; or Sandy Siegel at ssiegel@myelitis.org and we will get you started on the process. 

We’ve made several trips to VJGC and have had the opportunity to see the camp in action and to meet the directors and staff.  The facility and the people are just amazing.  Please check out Victory Junction’s website: www.victoryjunction.org and be sure to watch the video.  We can’t wait for next summer.  We know this is going to be a totally transforming experience for your children and for you!