Your Health Matters | spring 2005


 
 

Camps Help Kids Connect and Grow

 
 
“There’s nothing to do!” That’s something you’re not likely to hear from your kids this summer, thanks to Southcoast Health System.

Each summer, Southcoast sponsors a variety of health-related camps for children and teens of all ages. These programs allow kids to have fun while learning, getting fit and making friends.

Helping Young People Get Stronger — Safely
The Southcoast SPORT camps are one popular summer activity. For the past seven years, Southcoast hospitals have organized these separate day camps for teenage girls and boys to improve their athletic skills and boost their strength.

“One of our key goals is to reduce sports-related injuries in young people,” said Kathy Thornton, ATC, CSCS, a certified athletic trainer with Southcoast Sports Performance & Orthopedic Rehabilitation Team (SPORT), which provides sports medicine services to the region. “We teach them how to safely use weights and condition their bodies to improve their strength and agility.”

The camp runs three to four days a week for five weeks at a local high school. The cost ranges from $300 to $350.

For dates and more information, please call 508-910-3434.

Buzzing About the Birds and Bees
Started nine years ago at St. Luke’s Hospital, in New Bedford, the RAPPP Program (Responsible Attitudes toward Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention) is Southcoast’s teen pregnancy prevention program. This summer, RAPPP will host day camps for boys and girls ages 11 to 14.

“We teach reproductive health in a day camp format, so kids get a lot of information but they can still have fun,” said Cindy Guilbeault, LPN, a certified sexuality educator and RAPPP Program Director. RAPPP also plans to host weekend camps for parents and teens to help them discuss tough topics such as sexuality.

For cost, dates and locations, please call 508-994-0548.

 
 
When Youngsters Have Lost a Loved One
For the third year in a row, Southcoast Hospice and Palliative Care will hold a free two-day bereavement camp for children and teens. Camp Angel Wings, located at Camp Massasoit, in Mattapoisett, will take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24.

“Camp Angel Wings helps kids learn to cope with the loss of a parent, sibling or other loved one while meeting other young people like them,” said Deanna Upchurch, Bereavement Coordinator. Activities include arts and crafts, swimming and canoeing.

For more information on Camp Angel Wings, please call 508-984-0202.



The editorial content of this online publication is taken from the print version of Your Health Matters published by Southcoast Hospitals Group.

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