Connecticut Summer Camp 8/7 - 8/12

Starting Sunday, August 7 to Friday, August 12, 2011, the Muscular Dystrophy Association will host its annual summer camp for children with neuromuscular diseases in Hebron, Connecticut at East Seals Camp Hemlocks. Camp Hemlocks serves campers throughout the entire state, including Hartford, New Haven, Litchfield, New London, Tolland, and Fairfield counties, and parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This year for campers, every day is a holiday, where each day celebrates something different. Holidays include St. Patrick's Day, Halloween, July 4th and more.

Since MDA’s first camp in 1955, thousands of volunteers from throughout the country have annually helped children with neuromuscular diseases enjoy extraordinary weeks at MDA camp. It’s no different at East Seals Camp Hemlocks in 2011.

Baseball? Got it. Soccer? Yes. Water games? Check. Arts & Crafts? Indeed. This year, every day will be a holiday for campers, as they celebrate July 4th, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, among others. Camp dances, karaoke, swimming, and scavenger hunts round out the activities campers enjoy during their week at MDA camp.

“MDA summer camp is the week that our kids think about year-round,’’ said Stephen Fredericksen MDA Executive Director. “For one week out of the year, they get to be in an environment where having a neuromuscular disease is the norm, not the exception. They have the chance to experience barrier-free activities and make friendships and memories that last a lifetime.’’

The campers are featured guests in what is a loving and inspirational playground known as MDA camp. Stories are plentiful among the long-standing counselors, medical personnel and the children, who truly are the stars of each week long camp session. They will inspire you. They will amuse and amaze you with their stories of summer camp experiences.

MDA Summer Camp will hold a VIP/Media day on Tuesday, August 9, 2011. This day offers incredible visuals and fun moments involving many notable business and community leaders. MDA can arrange for the media to hold meaningful interviews with children, parents and volunteers before, during or after summer sessions.

Information on VIP Day:
WHO: Some 40 area children with muscular dystrophy and related diseases, plus scores of volunteer counselors and business and civic leaders visiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp.

WHAT: VIP/Media Day -- A magical day during an extraordinary week of fun-filled activities, exuberance and freedom from the restraints of “no, you can’t do that!” for local youngsters with mobility challenges caused by progressive neuromuscular disorders.
Get exceptional B-roll footage and interview some remarkable children, or exceptional Hebron community volunteers serving as counselors, nurses and physicians, some using their own vacation time to make it so. Hear why local MDA sponsors are involved year-round, and why many people contribute to MDA to help send kids to camp at an average cost of $800 per camper.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 11:30AM

WHERE: East Seals Camp Hemlocks
85 Jones Street
Hebron, CT 06248
(860) 228-9496

CONTACT: Valerie D’Angiolini, Regional Public Affairs Coordinator, at (203) 288-3500, vdangiolini@mdausa.org or Jennifer Dain, Health Care Service Coordinator, at (203) 248-6500 or jdain@mdausa.org.