Kids with cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) aren’t always able to just be kids. Their lives often include medication, surgeries, and making up school work. Many spend more time in the physician’s office than doing kids stuff. Their families make many sacrifices for the health of the children, and often have little or no support network when facing daily challenges.
In Florida, the Greater Southeast Affiliate of the American Heart Association provides an exciting program that reaches out to children living with cardiovascular diseases to provide opportunities to come together with other children sharing the same obstacles and fears. The program strives to provide fun and educational group activities for the children and families to help build support, spirit and confidence. Kids enjoy laughing, sporting events, silliness, swimming, arts and crafts, fishing and friendships that we all need. The affiliate presents the American Heart Heroes program – a year-round program full of fun, friendship, family support and even the opportunity to go to camp!
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Year-Round Fun for Members!
The American Heart Heroes program includes many fun activities year-round including special camp fun with horseback riding, fishing and boating. New members receive an American Heart Heroes t-shirt, certificate and much more with their membership kits. Activities include fun regional events and get-togethers, family conferences, involvement in local American Heart Association projects and other exciting opportunities. Members also receive quarterly newsletters and informative mailings throughout the year. The American Heart Association works with friends like Camp Boggy Creek, pediatric heart surgery hospitals, pediatric cardiology offices and support groups around the state to make this a reality for families.
Attending camp with American Heart Heroes
By teaming up with a state-of-the-art facility that allows kids with serious illnesses to attend a special camp with medical facilities and on-site doctors, camping is a reality. The children have the same opportunity as other kids their age: to attend camp! Camp Boggy Creek is located 45 minutes north of Orlando and offers all the good, old-fashioned fun of summer camp in a medically safe environment. Volunteer cardiologists and cardiology nurses give of their love and time to staff each camp session.
One of the most valuable benefits of going to camp events is the opportunity for campers to make friends with children like themselves. The chance to meet others who understand what it is like to live with heart disease provides much needed support and encouragement.
Family Weekend Retreats at camp bring together American Heart Heroes families to take a break and enjoy family activities. Time spent with other families who face similar challenges helps to build ongoing support, near and far. Some members and families stay in touch and become lifelong friends.
2010 Camp Boggy Creek events for American Heart Heroes
January 22-24, 2010 - Family Weekend Retreat
June 12-18, 2010 - American Heart Heroes Summer Camp Week
October 1-3, 2010 - Family Weekend Retreat
Camp Boggy Creek event applications for American Heart Heroes families
American Heart Heroes families can now get applications for Family Weekend Retreats and Summer Camp online! Visit the Camp Boggy Creek website at boggycreek.org and click on the Campers tab. Select Application Request. Select Spring Session or Summer Session for camp event choices. Click Request Application to open the application you choose. You can print the pdf file and follow application instructions listed on page 1. If you have any questions or need help with your application, please call the American Heart Heroes office at (888) 355-1060.
American Heart Heroes Local Activities- November 2009
November 10, 2009 - American Heart Heroes Evening Picnic w/ Jared, the Subway Guy. Rotary Pavilion, Spring Hill.
November 21, 2009 - 2009 American Heart Heroes Fall Festival. Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police, Jacksonville.
November 27, 2009 - Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards. American Airlines Arena, Miami.
Congenital Heart Defects in Children Fact Sheet
To view the American Heart Association's webpage on Congenital Heart Defects, please click here.
Cardiology Glossary
Visit the American Heart Association's online Cardiology Glossary to look up, learn, and refresh your memory on general terms used in the field of cardiology. Click here to go to the online glossary now.
American Heart Heroes History
American Heart Heroes celebrates thirteen years of fun for its members, beginning with the first American Heart Heroes summer camp week at Camp Boggy Creek in 1996. Through the years, the program has grown to include exciting group activities with other American Heart Heroes kids as well as services to parents, such as the regional family conferences. Thank you to all the task force members and event volunteers who have shared their time and dedication to make a difference in the life of a child with cardiovascular disease.
Share Your Memories
If you have a special memory or experience with American Heart Heroes and would like to share your story, please send us your story.
Have Questions About Helping Your Child Succeed in School?
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions or send a question to our online Expert!
American Heart Heroes Volunteers Needed!
Camp Boggy Creek is in need of volunteers for the American Heart Heroes camp events - 2 Family Weekend Retreats to be held each year and summer camp week in June. Camp needs non-medical volunteers 19 years and older to come to camp to spend time with these AWESOME campers. This unique opportunity will change your life, please consider coming to camp and making a difference in the life of a child! For more information, call Pepper Adair, American Heart Heroes Director, at (888) 355-1060.
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Support the American Heart Heroes Program
American Heart Heroes helps to fund camper tuition, but no child’s family ever pays for this opportunity. Thanks to donations from individuals and corporations, the American Heart Association and the American Heart Heroes program have been able to send over 2,000 kids and families to camp and family weekend retreats since 1996. Your generous support will help us continue to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to children living with cardiovascular disease.
To make a donation to the American Heart Heroes program, or for more information, please call 1-888-355-1060 or your local American Heart Association office.
