2011's summer youth camps forever changed the lives of children and teens with arthritis and related diseases.  Visit the Pacific Region's 2012 Regional Calendar for details of upcoming outings in Arizona, Greater California, Hawaii and Nevada. 

Make a positive change in the life of a child or teen with arthritis! To volunteer or make a donation to send a child to camp in 2012, please contact the following Arthritis Foundation staff:

ARIZONA: Allie Avishai aavishai@arthritis.org; 602.212.9900

HAWAII: Tiffany Butac tbutac@arthritis.org; 808.596.2900.

SAN DIEGO, CA: Yolanda Salcido ysalcido@arthritis.org; 858.492.1090.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (Including Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Orange County, Inland Empire and Central Coast) and NEVADA: Jennifer Ziegler jziegler@arthritis.org; 800.954.2873.

Spring and Summer Camp 2011

Camp Mana’olana: Oahu, Hawaii

Seven excited “keiki” (kids), ages 7-12 years old, enjoyed an unforgettable weekend at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu in June. The highlight of their weekend was swimming with the friendly dolphins at Sea Life Park. They also donned chefs hats to prepare yummy (but healthy!) pizzas, and baked chocolate cookies for dessert. “Mahalo” to Hawaii Pacific Health and Shriner’s Hospital, the Executive Chef staff of Turtle Bay Resort, and dedicated volunteers for making this weekend a huge success.

Joint Adventure Camp: Julian, California

Forty children and teens from the Greater San Diego area enjoyed a week-long Western themed hoe down at Camp Marston in July. In addition to horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, swimming, rock climbing and other outdoors activities, the younger campers enjoyed “Ghost Town,” a special event organized by teen participants in the “Leaders in Training” session. Kids enjoyed a variety of games throughout the “scary night,” but mostly enjoyed dressing up as their favorite ghost, werewolf or vampire.

Camp Esperanza: Lake Hughes and Big Bear, California

Almost 160 youth from Southern California and Nevada gathered at two locations for this year’s Camp Esperanza (Spanish for “hope”).

• Camp Esperanza at The Painted Turtle
  Lake Hughes, California
  More than 115 kids, aged 8-16 years old, enjoyed horseback riding, boating, swimming, a high ropes course and other activities in July. The week’s theme was “Under the Sea,” and included stage and carnival nights. A hit with all campers was “Silly Olympics,” where kids and counselors got very dirty and then were “rained” on by the local fire truck!
• Camp Esperanza Teen Leadership Camp
  YMCA Camp Whittle, San Bernardino Mountains
  Forty teens, ages 14-17, gathered together for a week-long special leadership session in August. In addition to traditional outdoors activities and arts and crafts, the group engaged in team-building and leadership activities, and enjoyed a day out on beautiful Big Bear Lake.