CHAMPS Camp celebrates a decade of helping kids in Saskatoon
'They recognized that there's no kind of rehab or physical activity program for children. There's lots in the adult world... they decided that we needed some kind of programming for kids,' said Doctor Charissa Pockett, a pediatric cardiologist at Jim Patterson Children's Hospital and a member of the Many Little Hearts group.
That need created CHAMPS Camp, which offers opportunities for kids ages 4-17 with congenital or acquired heart disease to enjoy some physical activity.
'I get to see kids in hospital at their worst, and then I get to see them at camp doing amazing things that they never thought they could do, and especially families never thought they'd be able to do,' Pockett said.
The program is celebrating a decade of success, and many of the families who took part in the camp gathered at Saskatoon's Gordie Howe Sports Complex to mark the occasion and talk about how it helped them.
'I just thought that I was the one kid who went and had surgeries done and procedures and all that stuff. And then when I finally came to camp in 2019, I felt like I was part of something, and I wasn't alone, and I was able to talk and learn about my heart,' Morgyn Moule said.
CHAMPS Camp staff and families gathered at Saskatoon's Gordie Howe Sports Complex to celebrate a decade of success, Sunday, July 13 (Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)
(Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)
Morgyn's mother, Jennie, says the program has brought a lot of joy to many medical parents.
'It was nice to see her hang out with kids who experience the same heart conditions or different recognition, going to the doctor's office, going through procedures. It was nice to see her being with people with whom she felt like she belonged,' Jennie Moule said.
'They have rock climbing, swimming, playing games. It's just so great. I like it, and it's kind of fun... to do stuff like that so kids can try new things,' nine-year-old Adaline Macpherson said.
Organizers say kids with heart conditions are often discouraged or were previously unable to play sports or engage in physically demanding activities.
The purpose of CHAMPS Camp is to allow kids to gain confidence in their abilities. The program also offers clinical psychology sessions for kids and their families.
'They go back to gym class and say, 'no, I can do this.' They want to participate. And it's really an amazing thing to see how lives have changed because of it,' Pockett said.
Pockett says the program started off quite small but has remained successful over the years thanks to a lot of community support.
'The families and the patients who keep showing up year after year with a lot of enthusiasm who trust us with their children...there's been lots of local businesses that have sponsored us...the volunteers have been essential in helping the camp run and be successful,' Pockett said.
The pediatric cardiologist says her hope to see the program expand outside of Saskatchewan.
'It's not just affecting the lives of kids in Saskatchewan but it's actually helping shape and educate our field as far as how to get kids physically active, especially when they've had congenital heart disease and have had heart surgeries,' Pockett said.
The past ten years have certainly proved that there is a need for programs like CHAMPS Camp, which is something Pockett will be the first person to attest to.
'Watching kids gain that confidence, be able to really live healthy lives and be the best that they can be, and then carry that through to throughout the years... It's just a weeklong summer camp, but really, I get to see that when they come to their appointments and checkups, they live that day-to-day in their regular lives,' Pockett said.
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