THE BOGGY CREEK GANG INC
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : a*******e@c************k.o*g
Mission Statement
Camp Boggy Creek makes it possible for children with serious illnesses and their families to experience a free, life-changing camp where safety, respect, love, and joy come together to enrich their physical and behavioral health.
About This Cause
Camp Boggy Creek’s programs are intentionally designed to improve children’s functioning abilities, facilitate their independence, and remediate the psychosocial effects of illness. Improving the lives of children facing serious medical conditions is accomplished through unique, fun, and child-centered therapeutic recreation programs, which have been recognized as having a profound and positive impact on children's lives and their recovery. Our programs restore children’s spirits, provide a sense of belonging, and encourage them to fight. Activities included fishing and boating, archery, swimming, horseback riding, arts and crafts and more - there is something to fit every camper’s idea of fun. Every activity has an element of challenge. Campers choose to what extent they participate in activities - an approach called challenge by choice. By being observant, empathetic, and communicating as a team, we can guarantee that every challenge put forward is specific and it is the camper’s choice how far he or she will take it. We provide our campers with the resources and freedom they need - where exploring interests and talents is our goal and building confidence, independence and esteem is our mission. Camp Boggy Creek’s therapeutic camp programs offer freedom and self-determination. Our goal is to ensure that children with serious illnesses gain, or regain, skills and an understanding of their own abilities that will enable them to make informed choices in other aspects of their lives outside of Camp Boggy Creek in the future. Achieving our goals is accomplished by… • Providing worthwhile life experiences to children with serious illnesses, and; • Increasing children’s ability to cope with their illnesses by developing their sense of independence and interdependence, and; • Decreasing the feelings of social isolation for children by creating a community of their peers that face similar situations. Friendships and social connections formed at Camp emerge as an important part of the camp experience while creating a positive impact beyond the camp experience. More than 70 percent of parents / caregivers reported a positive increase in their children’s confidence, independence, self-esteem, and interest in social activities after their Camp Boggy Creek experience. By developing memorable friendships and sharing medical and psychosocial information in a community of their peers, children decrease their feelings of social isolation. They increase their ability to cope with their illness by developing a sense of independence and interdependence in a safe and fun environment. Studies from the Yale Child Study Center confirm that social support programs provided at Camp Boggy Creek are directly related to improving self-esteem, self-confidence, coping abilities, and depression. Other changes included decreases in stress / PTSD symptoms related to illness as well as problems with psychosocial functioning. Other key findings on the impact of therapeutic camp programs in the lives of campers and families: • 83% of parents / caregivers reported noticing an increase in their child’s confidence, • 80% reported an increase in self-esteem, • 76% reported an increase in maturity, • 74% reported an increase in independence; and, • 72% reported increased interest in social activities All programs are designed to give campers and family members a multitude of opportunities that will foster personal growth and independence. Children build camaraderie and lifelong friendships and discover that laughing, singing and cheering are universal languages. Siblings meet other family members who are empathetic to the challenges of having a brother or sister with a life-threatening or chronic illness. All programs and activities are highly respected in the medical community for helping to restore children’s spirits and provide a sense of belonging. Parents / Caregivers are given piece of mind knowing that qualified staff and volunteers are caring for their children and allowing them to BE children. Because an individual’s sense of self is built through experience and feedback, Camp Boggy Creek’s programs provide carefully designed opportunities for children with life-threatening and chronic illnesses to meet all challenges with success in a safe, fun and supportive environment. When a camper feels empowered, safe and is enjoying themselves, they are more eager and open to participate and try something new. This in turn leads to benefits of the program that include enhanced self-esteem, confidence, self-image, tolerance, respect, independence, understanding and socialization.