HDYO is excited to host the FIFTH annual North American HD Youth Camp. The goal of camp is to offer young people the chance to meet other young people impacted by HD, to learn about HD through educational workshops, to share experiences through sharing sessions and to have plenty of fun participating in the many on-site activities, such as swimming, rock climbing, hiking, archery and much more. We aim for young people attending camp to benefit by feeling less isolated, more supported, as well coming away from camp with an improved understanding of HD and strong peer connections with other young people in similar situations. There will be an experienced HD team of professionals and volunteers on-site to support young people at all times.

Who can attend: Young people ages 15-23 that live in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico who are impacted by HD.

How many spaces are available: There is the capacity for about 45 young people to attend the camp.

When will it be: Arriving Sunday, August 11, 2019 – Departing Thursday, August 15, 2019

Where will it be: Camp Cedar Glen – located in Julian, CA about an hour from San Diego, CA

Cost: Free!!!! The camp, food and travel costs are all covered. Campers will be responsible for any cost associated with baggage fees and campers should have some money for airport snacks and incidentals.

Want to be a part of the 2019 North American HD Youth Camp…

Apply here!

Not sure if camp is right for you? See highlights from a previous North American Camp

Application Process: Applications can be submitted until April 30, 2019. Applications will be reviewed by the camp team during the first two weeks of May 2019. If there are more applicants than places, we will prioritize those young people who may not have a lot of support in their local community. Notifications of application acceptance will go out no later than May 15th, 2019. Notifications will be E-MAILED out around May 15, 2019. Applicants will have one week to accept their spot at camp or it will go to another applicant. Please ensure that chandler@hdyo.org is a trusted contact on your e-mail so the e-mail doesn’t get pushed to junk mail.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How will I/my child get to San Diego, CA?

If you are selected to attend camp, we will arrange travel for you. The flight costs are covered by HDYO, but should you need to check a bag that is your family’s responsibility. If you are within driving distance, we will work with you and your family to arrange travel

Who is running the camp?

There will be staff from HDYO and HD professionals from around the country, and a trained and trusted group of young adult volunteers from the HD community in North America to form the volunteer support team. All camp activities are supervised by certified staff that are employees of Camp Cedar Glen.

• Insurance: All campers are REQUIRED to have medical insurance. You should check your policy for travel coverage. The camp is fully insured and there will be extra event coverage organized by HDYO as well.
• All families will be required to sign a release alleviating HDYO of responsibility in the case of an accident or injury.
• Medical Treatment: Qualified first aiders and trained medical professionals will be on-site as part of the staff & volunteer team. The camp team will need to know of any medical conditions that may impact the camper’s ability to participate.

What experience do the staff have with supporting young people and camps?

HDYO’s team will be overseeing the camp, with support from HD professionals from the region. HDYO has organized HD Youth Camps in Europe, North America, South America and Australia & New Zealand, which has given us vast experience in developing camp projects to be the best they can be for young people impacted by HD. We will have a team for camp that will include HDYO’s HD Youth Worker, as well as HD professionals such as social workers and genetic counsellors from the region. We will also have a trained and trusted volunteer team of young adults from the HD community in North America who will be with the young participants at all times.

What will each day look like?

The days will start with breakfast as a group. After that, depending on the day, there will be a mix of recreational activities, educational sessions and some sharing sessions. A full agenda will be provided to each family prior to the start of camp.

What support is available to my child before and after camp?

The HDYO youth worker, Chandler Swope, will be scheduling at least one call prior to camp to discuss the family’s situations, get a sense of any concerns and begin to build a relationship with the young person. The youth worker will also work with the associations to ensure that any available support in their region is identified. The youth worker will be holding calls with the family post-camp as well. During camp, the campers will learn about the various sources of support post-camp.

I reviewed the camp website and notice the camp has a religious background. Will there be a religious aspect to camp?

There will not be a religious component for the HD Camp. Although Camp Cedar Glen does have a religious focus during its own summer program, they understand that this is a camp focused on support for young people impacted by HD and the camp does not require outside groups to engage in any faith-based activities.

Have a question/query about the camp that isn’t answered above?

Contact HDYO’s Youth Worker, Chandler Swope