AH! Asthma Camp for Children is a program that provides an overnight camp experience to 32 children ages 8-13 who have moderate to severe asthma. The camp is typically held during the third week of August. Campers are integrated with others at the State YMCA Camp in Winthrop, Maine. In addition to participation in regular camp activities (e.g. swimming, canoeing, playing sports) AH! Asthma Camp children participate in one hour per day of asthma education to teach them about asthma and impart the skills necessary for them to better self-manage their asthma. Volunteer physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists provide around the clock coverage and check peak flows and administer medication a minimum of two times per day. YMCA Camp counselors, who spend the majority of their time with the children, receive a pre-camp in-service training about asthma to increase their awareness of symptoms and to educate them on what to do if an asthma camper develops symptoms of worsening asthma.
