The Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers signature program for over 30 years is Camp Periwinkle. We have earned the reputation of being the “Camp of All Camps!” among campers and counselors.
Camp Periwinkle
Camp Periwinkle is a week-long overnight camp for children, ages 7-15, who are currently being treated or previously treated for cancer at Texas Children’s Cancer Center. Siblings, within the same age range (age 7 to 15), may attend camp WITH the patient. ALL campers, volunteers and staff members will need to be fully vaccinated to attend camp. Camp is free of charge to all campers.
The health and safety of the community, our campers, volunteers and staff, is our priority. So we will continue to evaluate programming options, mitigation strategies and what modifications may need to be put in place. All programs are subject to change if/as conditions warrant due to COVID-19.
The goal of Camp Periwinkle is to provide a safe, emotionally-healing, and fantastic adventure to give every camper the opportunity to grow in independence and self-esteem, leaving Camp Periwinkle a stronger survivor. Activities include swimming, horseback riding, archery, arts and crafts, exploring nature, sports, ropes course, biking, wheel chair basketball, fishing, giant swing, dances, and much more. Additional special programming includes the opening day carnival, cooking with world class chefs from Houston and Austin area restaurants, Glamour Shots, Spa Day, and Olympics Day.
Children in therapy can continue treatment at camp. Full medical staff is on duty 24 hours a day. Camp Periwinkle is free for all participants.
Only oncology patients from the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers ages 7-15 can attend camp. Each patient may take one sibling in the same age range.
Camp Yolo
Camp YOLO is a weekend (Friday night – Sunday morning) overnight camp held twice a year for teens receiving care from the Cancer and Hematology Center, Cardiology Center (Heart Center), Rheumatology Clinic, Renal Center (Kidney Center) and Retrovirology Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital. Brothers or sisters (age 13 to 18) may attend camp WITH the patient. ALL campers, volunteers and staff members will need to be fully vaccinated to attend camp. Camp is free of charge to all campers.
The health and safety of the community, our campers, volunteers and staff, is our priority. So we will continue to evaluate programming options, mitigation strategies and what modifications may need to be put in place. All programs are subject to change if/as conditions warrant due to COVID-19.
Who: Patients, ages 13-18, receiving care from the Cancer and Hematology Center, Cardiology Center (Heart Center), Rheumatology Clinic, Renal Center (Kidney Center) and Retrovirology Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital. Each patient may take one sibling in the same age range.
For two weekends each year, these young people have a chance to rejuvenate with others who understand their struggles, anxieties, and fears. Campers learn teamwork and leadership skills and, by the end of a fun-packed and emotion-filled weekend, they leave knowing they are not alone and they have what it takes to keep fighting their illness and face the challenges that life sends their way.
Programming includes activities such as arts and crafts, horseback riding, ropes course, canoeing, fishing, archery, target paintball, swimming, photography, sports, cooking, and much more. Some of the night activities campers enjoy at camp include dance party, night zip, campfire and s’mores, night swim, camp wide kick ball game, and so much more. Additional special programming may include a wish boat ceremonies, special inspirational speakers, and opportunities to share hopes and fears, successes, and challenges.
Day Camp
Periwinkle Day Camp is a week-long day camp for children, ages 7-12, who are currently being treated or previously treated at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center. Siblings, within the same age range, may attend WITH the patient. ALL campers, volunteers and staff members will need to be fully vaccinated to attend camp. Camp is free of charge to all campers.
The health and safety of the community, our campers, volunteers and staff, is our priority. So we will continue to evaluate programming options, mitigation strategies and what modifications may need to be put in place. All programs are subject to change if/as conditions warrant due to COVID-19.
Who: Patients, ages 7-12, receiving care from the Cancer and Hematology Center at Texas Children’s Hospital. Siblings, within the same age range, may attend WITH the patient.
Family Camp
Periwinkle Family Camp is a weekend (Friday afternoon – Sunday morning) overnight camp held twice a year for pediatric cancer patients treated at Texas Children’s Hospital and their families. The patient must be between the ages of 5 and 16 years. Siblings can be as young as 2 years old to attend Periwinkle Family Camp. Camp is free of charge to all campers.
The health and safety of the community, our campers, volunteers and staff, is our priority. So we will continue to evaluate programming options, mitigation strategies and what modifications may need to be put in place. All programs are subject to change if/as conditions warrant due to COVID-19.
Who: Oncology patients, ages 5-16, from the Texas Children’s Cancer Center and their immediate families.
In 2006, The Periwinkle Foundation and Texas Children’s Cancer Center identified a need to develop additional programming for families that offers emotional support and networking. Family Camp was designed to meet the needs of the entire family unit as they collectively grapple with the emotional roller coaster of a pediatric cancer diagnosis.
Periwinkle held its first Family Camp in February 2009. The camp creates an environment in which participants gain tools to make them stronger survivors and stronger families. It also gives parents and guardians the opportunity to witness and participate with their child or children in activities they may have thought were impossible after a cancer diagnosis. Family Camp programming allows and encourages families to spend healing time together creating treasured family memories and allows them to get to know other families who are experiencing or have experienced similar issues. It helps them find normalcy while coping with the myriad of emotions that accompany a pediatric cancer diagnosis and the ensuing treatment.
Family Camp is best described in the comments from the families attending:
Lately, there have been days
that we won’t see a smile on Evani,
but at camp no doubt there was that smile
that we have been missing for so long.
Watching my girl have fun
with a smile from ear to ear …
PRICELESS!
She not only tried new things for the first time,
but her confidence soared.
– Familia Marin, Family Camp
Now that Family Camp is over,
I feel ready to battle cancer again
because the other children and families
have given me strength and hope
that we too will survive.
– Parent, Family Camp
Before I came to Family Camp,
I had a bratty attitude with my parents
and with my sister who is the patient.
Coming to camp,
I felt that this time it is not all for my sister.
I learned that my mom and dad love me
the same way as my sister.
– Sibling, Family Camp
Each beautiful and happy memory we made
displaces some of the sadness and guilt we feel
because of the things
we (and our kids) missed out on
through the years
of therapy and hospitalizations.
– Parent, Family Camp
3400 Bissonnet Suite 185
Houston, Texas 77005
713-807-0191
periwinklefoundation.org/what-we-do/camps/camp-periwinkle
[email protected]
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