Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, part of Miami Children’s Health System, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ventilation Assisted Children’s Center (VACC) Camp on March 19 through March 25 in Miami.
The week-long sleep-away camp creates recreational and fellowship opportunities for children requiring ventilator assistance and their families. Since the program was founded in 1986, it has benefitted more than 180 families, some of whom have traveled from 27 states and three countries.
VACC Camp has provided children with tracheostomies (requiring oxygen and ventilators to breathe), along with their families, a week filled with activities such as swimming, boating and bowling regardless of their medical limitations. The camp has made possible experiences they never thought possible, such as their first swim in the ocean or sailboat ride, despite the amount of equipment that typically accompanies them.
Held each year during spring break, the camp activities are all conducted in a medically-safe environment thanks to the help of volunteers and medical personnel from Nicklaus Children’s Hospital who donate their time and services to ensure a safe week for all involved.
More information on the program is available at www.mchf.org/vacc.
