Dragonfly Forest

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Dragonfly Forest, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization is committed to offering seriously ill children the opportunity to enjoy an overnight camp experience in an environment that is safe, equipped to meet a variety of physical and medical needs, nurturing, and filled with activities that allow each child to reach their "full fun."

Dragonfly Forest is designed for children living with serious illnesses suffering physically and emotionally not only from coping with the treatments necessary to sustain life, but also from coping with the loss of their childhood. These children spend much of their lives in medical facilities with adults rather than at playgrounds and with other children just being kids.

Dragonfly Forest has achieved threshold status with The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps and very happy to be able to use their experience on “do’s and don’ts” as it creates a local camp that services the Philadelphia community. The Association was created when the camp that was founded in 1988 by Paul Newman - The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp - and four other similar camps tied to Newman's ideals, banded together to share best practices. There are currently ten camps around the world that are members of the Association. Association member camps extend a unique recreational and therapeutic camping experience to children around the world, free of charge. Dragonfly Forest has achieved "Threshold Status" and, with the encouragement of The Association staff, is working toward becoming a member of The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps.

According to Laura Jansen, Chairman of Dragonfly Forest, Inc., “Right now there are nearly 4,000 children between 6 - 18 years of age from Central and Eastern Pennsylvania who are living with cancer or serious blood diseases such as Sickle Cell and Hemophilia. If you add the other thousands of children with other, very serious, illnesses that prevent them from attending any sort of mainstream summer camp, you can see why we are excited to be moving into our second phase of operation in the Delaware Valley.”

Dragonfly Forest is designed specifically for children who are non-contagious and physically capable of enjoying the range of experiences offered by an overnight camp program. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christophers Hospital for Children and other Delaware Valley Medical Centers are working with Dragonfly Forest to provide medical expertise. Right now there are approximately 3,630 children between 6-18 years of age from Central and Eastern Pennsylvania who are living with cancer or serious blood diseases such as Sickle Cell and Hemophilia. Most of these children are unable to attend mainstream camps either because of the nature of their often-lengthy and debilitating illnesses that require close observation and monitoring or because they feel like outcasts in a mainstream setting.

Dragonfly Forest was conceived from a skiing experience that gave Laura Jansen, Founder and Chairman, the chance to "feel just like everyone else."

A few years ago Laura and her husband were registering their five-year old son for his first skiing lessons. When they finished registering, the instructor asked if Laura was going to ski as well. Since she was sitting in a wheelchair she thought it obvious that she would not be skiing and she thought, "What a silly question." When asked why not, Laura pointed to the wheelchair. The instructor suggested LauraI look into their adaptive ski program. She did, and by that afternoon Laura was suited up in borrowed ski clothes, strapped into a remarkable contraption called a bi-ski, on the chair lift and heading up the mountain.

Laura will never forget the extraordinary feeling she had as we stopped at the top of the mountain to enjoy our glorious surroundings. As Laura looked at the magnificent view that unfolded around her, she turned to see other skiers admiring the same view. At that moment, she thought, "This is it ... I am skiing, just like everyone else."

Out of Laura's experience on that mountain came the idea to create a summer camp for kids with serious illnesses - so they too could feel "just like everyone else."

At Dragonfly Forest between morning swims and evening campfires, approximately 150 children become actors on stage, swimmers, artists, athletes, canoe paddlers, stargazers and, most importantly, friends. Our campers experience a magical transformation, as they sing and dance, learn to soar, and develop important friendships that often last a lifetime.

At first glance, Dragonfly Forest looks like any other traditional summer camp. There is swimming, boating, fishing, archery, arts and crafts, ropes courses, boating and nature activities. Yet, look more closely and you will find that Dragonfly Forest is specifically designed for children with chronic or life threatening illnesses and allows them to safely enjoy the activities of a "traditional" camp.

Dragonfly Forest is more than a fun-filled getaway. It helps children to better cope with the day-to-day challenges they face. Nestled among hundreds of rolling acres in rural, pristine, Montgomery County, PA, this unique location provides excitement and adventure for campers in the great outdoors.

Between early morning crafts and evening carnivals, children whose lives have been a series of medical procedures and hospital stays are transformed into just "kids." They have a chance to be with others coping with similar illnesses or conditions and realize that they are not alone.

Most importantly, the prescription for the day is fun, fun, fun! Laughter, giggles, friendships, excitement, and bursting energy abound throughout our magical forest of tall pines, majestic oaks, nature trails, and a two acre lake. Campers are empowered to do things they never dreamed they could do. They are infused with a spirit of accomplishment at every turn and are allowed to forget that "they have what they have."

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