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Question: What is the cost to send my child to camp?
Answer: Our camp is free to any child with heart disease or with a history of heart disease. All of our programs are offered free of charge for those who attend. We rely on fundraisers and donations for financial support. We do stress that it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility for a child to be at the drop off location on their first day of camp.

Question: Do the campers need to pre-register?
Answer: Yes! Campers do need to pre-register, the application forms are mailed out in April.

Question: What are the requirements of who can attend your camp?
Answer: Any child age 7-17 with heart disease or a history of heart disease may attend. (There are a few basic medical requirements that need to be met.)

Question: What is the length and dates of camp?
Each 2007 camp session is five days long, which means four nights and five full days.
Answer (Malibu): The Malibu camp session are for campers ages 7-17 years old inclusive. It will be held from May 25th to May 29th.
Answer (Catalina Island): The Junior Camp are for campers ages 7-12 years old, and will be from Aug. 27th, Aug. 31st.The Teen Camp are for campers ages 13-17 years old from Aug 31st to Sept. 4th on Catalina Island.

Question: When do you need definite confirmation by the camper?
Answer: Camp is on a first come - first serve basis. We can not guarantee any child's position at Camp until all the forms are in. All of the necessary forms can be downloaded here.

Question: From where do the campers depart?
Answer (Catalina Island): We depart for camp from Fisherman's Village which is located at Marina del Rey. All Campers need to check-in by 9:00am on the first day of their designated camp.
Answer (Malibu): Campers need to be dropped off at the camp site, information will be sent to you on drop off procedures.

Question: Where is camp held?
Answer (Catalina Island): Camp is held at Catalina Island Camps, an ACA site on Catalina Island, approximately 22 miles off the west coast of Los Angeles in a natural island setting.
Answer (Malibu): Cottontail Ranch a ACA site is located in Malibu Canyon adjacent to 2,600 acres of state park and just 4 miles from Malibu Beach.

Question: Are you an accredited camp?
Answer: Yes! We are fully accredited by the American Camping Association.  The American Camping Association is an organization that educates camp owners and directors in the administration of key aspects of camp operation, program quality, and the health and safety of campers and staff. The ACA also establishes guidelines for needed policies, procedures, and practices. We work hard to ensure that all of our practices and procedures are within the guidelines and up to date to standards. We are also a member in good standing with the Western Association of Independent Camps.

Question: What kind of activities do you offer, and how do I know my child will be participating in activities that are right for her/him?
Answer: Depending on the camper's ability, we offer kayaking, swimming, archery, hiking, volleyball, soccer, arts & crafts, wall climbing, Horseback riding (site specific), and many other camp activities. The favorite activity is our "Disco Bingo " dance night! We divide campers by age, sex and activity tolerance. It is therefore crucial that each parent fill out the activity participation form completely. We use this form you provide to place campers in cabins. Each group of eight campers is assigned 3 counselors and a nurse from the medical staff. The Nursing Director reviews all applications and medical information for each camper. If you would like to talk with a nurse to discuss activity participation and/or medical regimens prior to camp just make a note on the forms and a member of our nursing team will contact you directly

Question: Do these children (Parent/Legal Guardian) have to sign a disclaimer to come to camp?
Answer: Yes, a typical disclaimer must be signed.

Question: What kind of medical staff do you have?
Answer: Each camp session has a combination of three to six of some of the best pediatric cardiologists and physicians available, plus 15-19 Med Nurses whose sole responsibilities are to oversee the medicine intake of the children as well as monitor the children’s well being at all times, while ensuring everyone is having fun. The camp features a fully-equipped infirmary and sick campers can be transported by boat or airlifted to the mainland quickly and safely. The U.S. Coast Guard and California local authorities are all aware of our presence and are placed on stand by for our needs while we are on the island. We often joke that our summer camp is the safest place to be in California during the 10 days we are having camp sessions!

Question: Do these children need insurance, or does camp provide some? If so, what types, etc.?
Answer: The camp does not provide health insurance for the children. At present, we do not have a policy regarding insurance because all US Citizens under 21 years of age with heart disease qualify for state funded insurance. This same program will cover foreigners with a medical emergency. We do, however, request information about your child's medical insurance in case of an emergency.

Question: What safeguards are there for children's security? What checks have you done on the staff, especially counselors?
Answer: All of our staff and counselors has a ACA approved National background check completed, need to submit an application that includes references, screened and interviewed by our Staffing committee and Executive Camp Director. The majority of our counselors have experience with children with some whom are medical professionals or have their own history of heart disease.

Question: What sort of documentation is required of the campers?
Answer: We require a two page, five-part application that includes medical information, an estimation of activity tolerance, and general demographic information. A physician must complete two of the five parts. These forms are in addition to the release forms.

Question: What sort of documentation is required for campers who live abroad?
Answer: Documentation for international travelers is different in each area, so we recommend you contact your local authority prior to traveling for camp for more information.

Question: What kind of qualified staff do you have?
Answer: Our lifeguards all hold current Red Cross lifeguard/CPR certification; the climbing wall staff is all pre-trained, and also cross-trained on the actual wall on the island. We have current licenses of all the Nurses and physicians. All specialty volunteers that require a license or certification have been checked and verified. A copy is kept of record at the camp office.