Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital is hosting a new summer camp program designed for its pediatric patients. According to the American Camp Association, each year more than 14 million children attend camp in the United States. Pediatric patients, however, have traditionally missed out on the types of activities enjoyed by other children. Broward Health is working to change that.
“The Child Life team at Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital has filled a need for our young patients with this new summer camp program, “said Heather Havericak, MSN, CPON, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital. “We work to provide specialized health care for our patients, but also enriching activities that offer a sense of normalcy.”
The summer camp will take place throughout the month of July. Physical, emotional, and social goals will be met through a variety of camp activities that are also designed to inspire creativity and elevate self-esteem. Camp activities include a visit from a park ranger, a magic show, scavenger hunt, water day and a camp out.
“I am grateful to lead an organization that is committed to improving the health and overall well-being of our children,” said Broward Health President/CEO Beverly Capasso. “Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital is a leader in providing the best pediatric care. We are very excited to launch this new summer camp program that paves the way for improved quality of life for our patients.”
Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital’s Child Life program offers four different therapies that are proven to help overcome anxiety, reduce stress, and stimulate mind and body – humor, pet-assisted, music, and art therapies. With a strong background in child development and family systems, child life specialists and their therapy teams promote effective coping through age-appropriate medical play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities, which is key to a child’s healing process.
Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital
Since opening its doors in 1938, Broward Health Medical Center has been providing pediatric services to the communities we serve. In 1996, pediatric services were enhanced and a full service children’s hospital was established committed to offering newborns, children and adolescents the most advanced, family-centered care. Today, the newly renovated and expanded Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital, recognized by the Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals and by the Children's Hospital Association, offers the full spectrum of pediatric specialty services and is dedicated to serving the individual needs of children and their families.
