Camp Michi-MAC

Camp Michi-Mac is truly a gift from God himself. We are raising our granddaughter who has Cystic Fibrosis. She is an active 8 year old who loves the outdoors, animals, water and being with other children. Unfortunately, she faces daily challenges due to Cystic Fibrosis. The disease affects her lungs and breathing requiring her to use many daily medications.These include inhalers and nebulizers and oral medications. Daily physical therapy is necessary to keep her lungs functioning properly and prevent mucus build-up. She also has medication that she has to take everytime she eats so that her food will diqest and her body can obsorb the nutrients along with nutritional supplement several times daily. This is way more than normal summer camps are equiped to deal with so we believed that she would never be able to participate in this wonderful childhood experience. Thanks to Camp Michi-Mac and the wonderful staff there, my granddaughter was able to spend a week enjoying the ability to be "normal". She partipated in all of the camp activities including horseback riding and had an absolutely fantastic time. The staff there took great care of her and handled all of her medical needs and physical therapy without a single problem. I cannot praise them enough for what they have done for us and what they do for all of the children who attend each year. Without them, these kids would not be able to experience this wonderful part of being young and learning about independance and the natural world that we live in.Thank God for Camp Michi-Mac!

My granddaughter with Cystic Fibrosis was able to go to camp at Michi-Mac this summer. This was an experience for her that we thought she would never be able to do because of the many medical needs relating to her diseae. The staff at Michi-Mac were very dedicated, caring and professional. They took her under their wing and made sure that even though her medical needs were different from the other campers, that she was able to do them and still join all the camp activities. Do to the great staff in this organization, my granddaughter had the best summer of her life and is looking forward already to next year. Thank you to Mary and all the other staffers at Camp- Michi-Mac. I really appreciate your dedication and hard work to provide this services for those campers with disabilities that would not be able to have this experience without you.

This was my daughters first camp experience. It was so nice that we decided to make it an annual summer activity for them if possible. So, this is actually their second year with Camp Michi-MAC. I am so pleased with the level of care and friendliness this organization shows. They take their time and make sure to answer emails and send forms as promised. It is very professionally run. They make it possible for families with needs, medical and/or financial, to have this great camp adventure. Thank you.

In 2004 at the age of ten I began contemplating camp for my daughter; however, in October of this year she was hospitalized in intensive care for an acute asthma attack. After this very frightening experience sending her to away camp was no longer an option for me because of her asthma. At my daughter's follow up visit to the pulmonolgist's office I was approached by one of the nurses who mentioned an asthma camp, Camp Michi-Mac and provided me with an application. Still apprehensive I did complete the application, my daughter was accepted and has attended Camp Michi-Mac every summer since. Upon arriving at the camp site seeing the full medical staff of Camp Michi-Mac all my fears, concerns and apprehensions disspated. I am forever thankful for Camp Michi-Mac and their very competent staff, not to mention they exceeded my expectations. Without Camp Michi-Mac my daughter would not have had the chance to experience camp which I believe every child should at least once in a lifetime. Camp Michi-Mac is truly a worthwhile organization and will contine to have my full support in donations.

Camp Michi-MAC provides an outdoor camping experience for children with asthma. They are in a safe and healthy environment. Because the campers have close health supervision, they can enjoy the full camping experience at a premier Michigan camp. I am honored to be a part of the volunteer staff.

This organization is truly wonderful. It provides an opportunity for children with asthma to run through fields, hike in forests, swim in a lake, climb a rock wall, ride horses, participate in campfires...all things that they would otherwise have difficulty doing due to their asthma. The terrific team of doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists are on-hand around the clock to provide any medical care that a camper may need. At first, some campers feel timid about participating in activities that they know would normal lead to an asthma flair-up. In these instances, the staff works with the camper to help them understand that with the proper medicine routine, they can participate just like any other camper! My role as a volunteer is somewhat different. My background is in education and I have much experience working, not only in schools, but in the summer camp field. I was on hand to assist with organizing and managing camper paperwork. I also helped with a variety of educational activities that teach the campers many different things, such as asthma triggers and how to properly read their peak flow meters. Lastly, I was on-hand to assist with any camper behavior issues. This can range from slight homesickness for first time campers (which usually tapers off after the second day they are at camp) to campers that need extra encouragement to make positive choices. In conclusion, this organization not only gives the campers' a healthy experience for their bodies but also for their soul! I will leave you with a few of the many incredible things that happen everyday at Camp Michi-Mac: - Watching a child who is allergic to hay and animal dander ride on a horse for the first time... Amazing! - Sitting back and observing a child who has difficulty running without using their inhaler climb to the top of a 60 foot rock climbing wall... Awe-inspiring! - Seeing a group of children with asthma sitting around a campfire, singing songs, roasting marshmallows, and not having an asthma attack because of the smoke, well, that is perfection!

My son love the camp. I was his first time going away by himself away from home. I was told that yes he was scare and wanted to come home cause he doesn't like bugs, but once I pick him up and ask him do he want to come back next year and I was surprise and he said yes. I never knew that it was a camp for kids who have asthma. I've already told family and friends about the camp and I will remind them next year and my son will be there. Now he know what to expect and won't be scared.