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HEALTH FOCUS

Kids with Epilepsy and Diabetes can have a Fitch experience, too!

For children living with diabetes or epilepsy, we have two Focus Experiences that enable these kids to have a great sleep-away camp experience under the watchful eyes of dedicated medical specialists. Designed to emphasize educating these campers on how to manage their health challenges, these Focus Experiences have a transformative impact on each camper’s journey toward independence.

Diabetes Focus

Operating at Camp Fitch since 1977, Dr. Barclay’s Camp For Children With Diabetes is supported by Medical Director Dr. Luis Aparicio, Board Certified Pediatric Endocrinologist from Erie. Dr. Aparicio is assisted by a staff of nurses and a dietitian/nutritionist who both care for and lead education activities during this Focus Experience. All campers with diabetes check-in with these medical staffers at all meals and several other times throughout the day.

Campers with diabetes live with other Flagship Experience campers and have the opportunity to participate in all of the Flagship activities. Each Skipper who will be supervising a camper with diabetes receives special training to recognize the symptoms that require immediate attention. With this extra attention, kids with diabetes are able to have a complete and fulfilling sleep-away camp experience.

Epilepsy Focus

Camp Fitch partners with Camp Frog, a nationally-recognized program, to place extra supportive medical services into existing YMCA summer camp programs, allowing children who have seizures to enjoy summer camp just like their peers.

The Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania provides fully trained counselors in each cabin alongside of our Skippers. These specially trained counselors will help to provide seizure recognition and first aid, build confidence, and provide guidance to campers in a fun-filled atmosphere.

In addition, a pediatric neurologist and a nurse will be available on-site during the entire week of camp. This medical staff supervises medication administration and any seizure-related medical care required by campers with seizure disorders.

More detailed information is available from the Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central PA.

SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCES:

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Flagship Experience

Our traditional, hundred-year-old sleep-away camp for kids aged 6–16.

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For kids 6-16, this is our traditional experience that kids from all over the world have enjoyed for over 100 years! We can't wait for you to come be a part of it.

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Farming Focus

Grow both food and friendships through the Farm Focus experience!

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We have created an engaging farm focus to teach children about raising animals, planting seeds and sustainability.

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Equestrian Focus

Resident camps for beginning to intermediately skilled horse lovers.

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For Boys and Girls who love horses, being an Outrider is hands-on, in the saddle fun at summer camp!

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Leadership Focus

Helping teens develop into tomorrows empathetic, effective leaders.

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Engage your teenager in our leadership development experiences to develop crucial skills in areas like teamwork, empathy, responsibility, and a service mentality.

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Health Focus

Kids with diabetes or epilepsy each have opportunity at Fitch to have a sleep-away camp experience under the watchful eye of medical specialists.

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Let our special medical teams closely supervise your child while educating and encouraging them on their journey toward independence.

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Teen Adventure Trips

We have amazing teen adventure trips that take the Camp Fitch experience on the road. We put together multi-day hiking, rappelling and whitewater trips.

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Taking the Fitch Experience on the road allows us to push kids even further out of their comfort zones, build intense friendships based on trust and shared responsibility, and expose them to activities they might never have experienced before.

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Tech Focus

Challenge yourself with intriguing programming puzzles while still having a traditional camp experience.

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Does your child love working on computers? Let them do that all week with like-minded boys and girls while getting a healthy dose of fresh air and sunshine!