Children and Arthritis, Inc.

Amazing organization that provides great support to families dealing with this medical challenge. Their Camp Jambalaya Jubilee allows families to come together to gain valuable information and form a community of support the children and adults!

This camp was amazing! It was my first time coming and I would love to come again. I learned a lot more information that I didn’t already know and stories about others. The activities they had were so fun. I enjoyed them very much.

The whole weekend felt like such a precious gift. The joyful experience of supporting other parents while watching our children play and find new friends is priceless. I’m a more educated caregiver for my child and I’m encouraged in the next season of our energy.

This camp is phenemonal for families that have children with arthritis.

This camp has helped me so much. When your around people who understand your condition it makes you feel wonderful. I have made so many friends and had so much fun!!

This was our first year and we absolutely loved it. We learned so much and met so many families to keep in touch with. I as a parent appreciate the work that was put into making this camp. It is a wonderful way to celebrate our kids and their diseases. We will be back next year.

Wonderful event that taught us so much about our child’s arthritis. We were so grateful for all the volunteers, knowledge and families and all we learned there.

The annual Jambalaya Jubilee was a fantastic experience for our family. It’s an amazing resource for any families dealing with juvenile arthritis and related diseases.

Amazing Camp!!!! We have been coming for 12 years. It’s not just for kids. It especially amazes me how the teenagers keep coming back. They are such an incredible support for each other!!! If you have a child with a rheumatological disease, you need to be here!!!!

Camp Jambalaya Jubilee is an amazing place to meet people who are going through the same thing as you and its also a really great place to make lifelong friends!

Great place loved this, made friends for once, shout out to Clayton, Jaden, dowe, and Gabe and gage, entire place was fun, the only downside the dorm beds were creaky, it was fun to play at 10pm with Jaden and dowe in the hallways and lobby

Camp Jambalaya Jubilee is a great experience and they really care about the kids

Wonderful experience for kids and adults alike! Staff and counselors were amazing!

Wonderful opportunity! My family enjoyed it and will definitely be back!

This camp has served my family for over 20 years. The services, education, and focus on the whole family is unmatched!!

One of the best camps for kids! They put every $ to use to serve kids.

Children and Arthritis is an amazing organization than i never wanted to be a part of! The friendships that are formed help the arthritis kid and parents are unbelievable. My daughter just got home from spending a week with a fiend that she met at calm 2 summers ago. Great organization!!

The best organizers, parents and experience as a group that we had during my daughters adolescent years> I miss the camp and especially the people!

Children and Arthritis, Inc. has sponsored a wonderful annual family retreat that has helped our family find families dealing with similar medical issues. It’s a weekend everyone can relate, relax, learn, and connect. It’s something our family looks forward to every year!

Ever since my sister was diagnosed with Arthritis she has been attending the Jambalaya Jubilee. This camp has helped show her that she is just as strong as anyone else and shown me the pain and heartache that children with arthritis deal with every day. This organization has opened my eyes to the struggle but also shows the support of the community.

My parents started bringing me to Jambalaya Jubilee the summer after I was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. I was three years old and I attended camp every year after that. I didn't understand my diagnosis but I knew I hurt, had terrible shots, and spent a lot of time at doctor offices. Going to Jambalaya Jubilee helped me to see from a very young age that I was not alone and that there were other kids going through many of the same things I was.

The weekend is full of fun activities as well as opportunities to talk with doctors and campers who returned to meet with us to share their stories. It was nice to be surrounded by others who understood even when we didn't talk about our diagnoses. I also liked seeing my rheumatologist outside of the doctor's office.

Jambalaya Jubilee 2022 was my last time as a camper because I aged out this year. This camp was my happy place during my childhood. I am very grateful to the Presslys for starting it and to everyone who is involved in making it happen. I plan to stay involved as an alumna!

I went to this camp as a Meme! I went with my daughter and granddaughter. I learned more about arthritis in that short weekend than I ever knew! The drs answered everyone’s questions. I’m glad my daughter and granddaughter have this group to support them.

At this camp, I’m with people just like me. We all hurt but we look like normal teens. I like when the Drs come in to talk to us and we can ask anything we want. My favorite part is when the older kids come in to talk to us, they have aged out of camp but still want to help. They give me hope!

Children and Arthritis, Inc. offers invaluable support to families. The annual summer retreat provides a platform for both kids and parents to engage with their peers to discuss both medical and personal issues experienced through their juvenile Arthritis journey. Groups are moderated by physicians and psychologists. Q & A discussions led by physicians are informative and relevant. The most heartwarming aspect is the camaraderie that quickly develops amongst the kids. In our experience the friendships have extended beyond the retreat and my child now has a beautiful group of great, go-to friends who are there for each other.

They are doing an exceptional job providing quality programming.

They do such a great job

The camp was a great experience especially for the price. The info and network was appreciated.

They are amazing with the support and education they provide.

Our family is impacted by Juvenile arthritis. All charity donations are appreciated and help further education on the disease.

This group does a great job providing families which have a child with this chronic illness with access to the latest medical information and with an increased support system.

Awesome organization, wonderful people. Their Jambalaya Jubilee camp has been something my child has looked forward to for 14 years. The Children and Arthritis team keeps it affordable for families -- many of whom are struggling with medical bills. We appreciate all they do for us.

This organization was the best thing that happened to our family. We gained so much knowledge about Arthritis as well as making lifelong friends from all over the South that continues to serve as a support to us.

Great people! My daughter looks forward to Camp Jambalaya Jubilee every year. She has this group of friends that understand treatments and medications, even though they don't get to see each other but once a year. This camp has put patients, like my daughter, in contact with others in similar circumstances and, thanks to mobile technology and social media, offer them an expanded support group beyond their family and local friends.

They are doing well in teaching people about arthritis and letting them know how different their lives(people with it) are from a normal persons everyday life and experiences. They are also doing well in treating all their guests with care and respect and also making their experience there a great one.

My family loves going to jambalaya jubilee every year. It's our 3rd year and we learn from the doctors but we learn even more from the other parents. And we have a blast while we are there. We are so thankful to have this non-profit in our lives.

Children and Arthritis does an amazing job reaching families of children with rheumatic diseases. They are informative, caring, and just awesome! My family looks forward to this retreat every year!!

The organization does a wonderful job in providing resources to families at minimal costs while still maintaining world class programming.

When I first brought my daughter to the Juvenile Arthritis Camp, I was lost and confused. This was all new and I was overwhelmed! This foundation basically took me by the hand and walked me thru it a step at a time until I could breathe. Now, I’m a pro! That year at camp changed our lives! Thank you Dr. Preslee!!!!!

Our 1st year of camp we drove 12 hours to attend because our rheumatologist highly recommended Jambalaya Jubilee (hosted by Children and Arthritis). We found our "tribe." Unfortunately due to sickness my son only got to stay one night. After the drive home, he was hospitalized. Dr & Mrs Presley kept a check on him. Families we only spent a few hours with called, text, & sent gifts from the hospital gift shop for him. We were bombarded with love & support. We're so thankful for the resources, information, & true support this organization provides! It's not a club you want to be part of, but it's one you're incredibly thankful to have in your corner!

Jambalaya Jubilee has been a blessing for my son and I for the last 2 years! The first year ~ my son was newly diagnosed so it was very emotional for me ~ as a parent. My son was 12 so he was a bit leary... But, on the (6 hour) bus ride home ~ he was asking if we were going back the next year! We did. The camp is truly a blessing. Getting to spend time a/ others that really have a true understanding of what we're going through! The children get to spend time a/ other kids experiencing the same things. Yr parents as well. Not to mention the teachings/counseling that is given to the parents/guardians. We are SO looking for to the 2019 Jubilee!!

My child was diagnosed with systemic jra when she was 4. She started going to Jambalaya Jubilee at 4 and she is now 15. She loves to go and anticipates going every year. She is around children she can relate to. She doesn’t feel alone with her disease when she’s there. This is the most wonderful thing that Dr Presley and his wife could ever give to these children. As a parent I get a lot out of it too. I learn a lot from the other parents, doctors, and therapists that are there. My child loves it so much she wants to volunteer when she gets too old to be a camper.

They bring doctors and specialist directly to parents while allowing children with clinic diseases to bond and form special friendships. They are a wonderful organization bringing knowledge and hope to many families.

My daughter was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis before the age of 2. This non profit was amazing with support, information. The also got us connected with other families, doctors, educational material about this disease. Children and Arthritis is amazing.

Jambalaya Jubilee was my family's first encounter with other families and children dealing with juvenile arthritis. The support and information received has been invaluable.

Providing children with arthritis and their families a fun weekend retreat mixed with multiple professional seminars by recognized medical experts and providing continuing medical support and advice year around

They are amazing and doing everything right!

Jambalaya Jubilee is a wonderful non-profit.

Children and Arthritis Jambalaya Jubilee has helped our RARE family & our kids so much. We are forever grateful. Thank you!

They go above and beyond for their families. Their fees are minimal, they provide FREE busses for those out of state, and do their best to plan fun activities.

They help so many kids find others in similar situations. With more funding they could serve even more kids!

It was truly an amazing experience for both my child and myself! VERY informative and yet not boring!! We thoroughly enjoyed it!

Children and Arthritis helps families of children with various rheumatology diagnoses get support and information about the most recenes, and medications from experts in the field. They also provide these families a unique opportunity to gather for a weekend retreat tlies make connections and become life long friends. None of this would be available without Children and arthritis.

It means so much to families and makes them feel not alone in their fight.

They make it possible for children and their families to have a weekend of education and family fun without breaking the bank!

What a wonderful organization this is! We have attended the weekend Jambalaya Jubilee camp for twelve years and it is something my child looks forward to year after year.

I was impressed with this camps ability to be very professional in relating to parents and the children who attended, the basic information of their illness from doctors, parents and the counselors who offered so much information to ease the burden to the children and parents in attendance. I left with a better understanding of what parents and their child's pain experience and family dynamics that arthritis brings to families. I was invited by my daughter to attend with my granddaughter who has arthritis. It was a weekend well spent.

This program was totally unexpected!! It was over and above my expectations! The children had a blast and as a parent, I learned so much from the panel of doctors and met so many supportive people! Thank you for a wonderful weekend!

I really liked that I was able to meet many people that I already knew from other camps and met many more new family and made new friends.

This is our second year. It is something that my daughter looks forward to every year. Can't tell you what this means to our family. God bless the volunteers!!!

I can't think of any way that they could improve on the camp, because everything they had planned for us was well organized!!!!! And I loved getting to meet people that are going through what I'm going through!!!

Fantastic service for families that are afflicted with this disease. Great education for parents and children have a fantastic time. Only recommendation would be a separate breakout group for single parents

Jambalaya Jubilee is a great camp for my family. My 10 year old sister was diagnosed with Poly JRA in 2015. This camp is a great place for her to develop friendships with other children who understand what she is going through. It's a wonderful camp for parents to also build a strong support system with other parents who are experiencing financial and emotions burdens from their child's chronic illness. Parents are also able to get questions answered from professionals! Please help keep this camp going. We plan to attend every summer until my sister turns 18 and then we will volunteer!! #familystrong

Jambalaya Jubilee is a great camp for my family. My 10 year old was diagnosed with Poly JRA in 2015. This camp is a great place for her to develop friendships with other children who understand what she is going through. It's a wonderful camp for parents to also build a strong support system with other parents who are experiencing financial and emotions burdens from their child's chronic illness. Parents are also able to get questions answered from professionals! Please help keep this camp going. We plan to attend every summer until my daughter turns 18 and then we will volunteer!! #familystrong

This is our third year and my daughter enjoys it every year. She wants to come back as a volunteer when she gets to old to attend as a camper! This event provides so much information, encouragement and support. We have great friends that we contact through social media and get to see each year. The kids pick up just like they never left each other and are so supportive of each other. The parents support each other. The staff provides rheumatology updates for parents, rheumatology panels, consults with volunteer doctors and family therapists. The whole atmosphere is just wonderful and we've become a very big extended family with one very specific need: a place our children can get support and encouragement and find friends who live with the same diseases they do.

This is a gem of a nonprofit organization made up of many caring individuals who give so freely of their time to touch the lives of many families from the newly diagnosed to the "old-timers" who return because of the support and friendships we have made over the years.

We have been attending Children and Arthritis' Jambalaya Jubilee since my daughter's diagnosis ten years ago. She talks about the Jambalaya Jubilee all year and looks forward to seeing her friends at camp whom she sees only once a year. The weekend focuses on fun, but there is an understanding that they all share something in common and they are not alone.

As a parent, I appreciate knowing that there is a place where we, as a family, can go once a year to hear the latest updates on pediatric rheumatology, ask questions of a panel of pediatric rheumatologists, chat with other medical specialists, and be able to connect in-person with other parents dealing with similar struggles -- and spend quality time together as a family and with other families.

Treatments for juvenile arthritis can be overwhelming for many families so I appreciate how the cost to attend Jambalaya Jubilee weekend is kept incredibly affordable for all that we do during the weekend.

We will be forever grateful to the Presslys and everyone involved in organizing and running the wonderful Jambalaya Jubilee weekend, including George, Sheri, the pediatric rheumatologists, the family therapists, Cassie, medical specialists for "doc in the box," sponsors and the volunteers.

We enjoyed all our campers and terrific staff that donated their time to another great Jambalaya Jubilee!

Their summer camp for children with arthritis and rheumatic diseases and their families is great! Fun for the kids, education for the parents, and bonding for all.

All I can say is AMAZING !! The children that attend have a magical time. They make new friends, experience things they never have before. It's just wonderful !!!

We absolutely love Jambalaya Jubiliee!!! The expertise and support for parents coupled with the fun activities for the kids is the perfect combination! This is always the highlight of my kids' year!

This is a great nonprofit that makes such a difference in the lives of the children and families affected by rheumatic diseases.

I have worked with this organization since it's inception. The families of the children with arthritis use it as a source for information, activities, support as they deal with the pain/problems of the child(ren). The children who attend the annual camp enjoy the activities designed to allow them to interact on a "normal" level. From art projects to swimming... the kids get to be kids. It is a wonderful experience to be a volunteer and watch/participate in their fun.

Children and Arthritis is an exceptional nonprofit that truly makes a difference in the lives of children with arthritis and their families. The unique ability of this camp to help families to realize that they are not alone in the everyday struggles caused by rheumatic diseases is remarkable. The number of families that return each year to share their stories and learn more about how to cope with disease is what sets this camp apart from others.

Children and arthritis has been a wonderful experience for our family for many years!!!

We have attended Jambalya Jubilee every year for the last six years and each and every year we have learned important information that allows us to manage our sons JIA. The volunteers, staff, and programs are well organized and interesting for attendees of any age. Childre and Arthritis has been an invaluable resource to our family since our diagnosis 8 years ago.

Children and Arthritis provides a summer camp experience for children with arthritis and their families. The child with arthritis is not the only one living with arthritis - the entire family is. This group actually addresses that issue. Great work being done!!!!

My children and I went to Jam Jub for the first time this year. It was amazing! My children are STILL talking about it and asking when we can back. The kids activities were great and the expertise offered to the parents through small groups and discussions was invaluable. Thank you to all who make this event happen. We can't wait for next year!!

I went when I was younger and it was a ton of fun. Thanks to all of the people there that made the experience awesome.

This organization puts on a retreat each year that we attended for over 15 years. We all learned so much. And the lifelong friends we made will always be there for me. I can never repay them for what they did for us. My daughter found a group that had the same struggles.

This is an amazing experience for children with arthritis. It is fun and educational. The most impressive part to me is the feeling of being a family with others also battling arthritis.

The Jambalaya Jubilee is a wonderful place for children with juvenile arthritis to come together and meet other children with the same problems so that they don't feel like they are different. The people who put this together are so nice and very giving. I hope our family can make this a tradition for years to come.

Over the past 30 years I have served on numerous nonprofit boards. Nowhere have I found an organization that directs a larger portion of its dollars to its mission. I am responsible for evaluating nonprofit organizations for a large nonprofit corporation, so I have a good idea of what to consider when determining whether or not to give to an organization. Without a doubt, Children and Arthritis far exceeds my expectations for giving...and is actually much better than many other organizations in our community. The founders continue to stand behind the organization which has been sustained for several decades by donors and corporations that see its clear value to the children and families it serves. Other nonprofits would do well to replicate this model!

Children and Arthritis is a great organization for helping children who suffer from arthritis, they do great with giving the kids a fun weekend and helping the parents better understand what arthritis is and the different treatment methods. I highly recommend this organization to any family who has a child with arthritis, you won't be disappointed!

This nonprofit organization has helped my family in so many ways. It has brought so many families together in so many ways also. It has not only helped me make new friends but it has also taught me that there are a lot of families dealing with the same issues as my family. It allows families to come together for a fun filled weekend to grow stronger and learn how to deal with children with a rheumatic disease and how to deal with everyday life for the whole family. It also allows family to relax and just have fun and make memories that last a lifetime.

Children and Arthritis puts on a retreat called Jambalya Jubilee every year. This retreat is for children with rheumatic diseases and their families. I began attending Jambalaya Jubilee when I was 3 years old, and I am currently 26 years old. Jambalaya Jubilee has allowed my family and I to get excellent medical advice from some of the best doctors in the South. I continue to learn new things every single year! Children and Arthritis gave me to ability to meet other people who have the same disability as myself. The encouragement that is given to the families and children helped me develop a strong sense of self-confidence. Thanks to Children and Arthritis I can face the day knowing that arthritis does not control me, and that I am not alone in my disability!

I have been attending Jambalaya Jubilee hosted and funded by the amazing non profit Children and Arthritis for 20 years! I have made life long friendship s that have turned into a support network and family. The first year I attended I realized that I WAS NOT THE ONLY KID WITH ARTHRITIS! This organization not only gives hope to the families affected but a weekend of fun for each kid and their siblings, where they can forget about doctors, medical treatments, worries, school, being different from other kids, and just have fun! It also gives the parents a weekend with amazing doctors and counselors to learn how to cope with this disease and better care for their family and the challenges faced. Each child with Arthritis gets a weekend to spend with children just like them, and not feel left out but like they belong! This organization truly does CHANGE LIVES, I say this from not only 18 years as a camper but 2 years as a counselor watching it change children and their families right before my eyes! There is NO greater feeling than being able to donate my time as ASN Alumni and Counselor to these families watching it change them for the better and see them smile for 3 days and hug me not wanting to leave! This organization truly does deserve the Top Non Profit Award, it does change lives for a lifetime and form a support network that is and will always be there. The family behind the scenes that started it all 23 years ago is one of the most caring, loving, selfless families I know that do this year after year just for the families affected by Arthritis! They do it and do not ask for a thank you, this truly is the most deserving non profit organization I know.

Our family started out being participants of Jambalya Jubilee hosted by Children and Arthritis. We now volunteer and I have to say I've seen two sides of their organization and I have to say they are just great. They really care about the families that attend and the volunteers who help. I love that they take such great care of our children and give them experiences that I would not have been able to do all the time and while our kids are being kids they provide some of the best doctors around and great sessions with those doctors. I can't tell you how valuable this was for us as young parents finding out for the first time that our little girl had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. The advise and knowledge they gave was priceless and they were able to do this whole weekend at such an affordable cost to us which allows families to spend time with each other having fun and not worring about the expense and everything we did was covered. Our family many years later volunteer and we just love being a part of this family and think this organization deserves every bit of praise and accolades.

When I adopted my little girl I knew she had Juevenile Rheumatoid Arthritis but didn't know that much about the disease. Right at the six month mark her rheumatologists told me about Jumbalaya Jubilee, a camp for the families and patients effected by JRA. The first year was overwhelming, educational, inspiring and all in between.

This non- profit was started by Dr. Thomas Pressly and his wife Tracie, for the love of children and his passion to see those with JRA thrive and remain hopeful. You can tell that this is not just a practice or even a medical interest of Dr. Pressly's but a heartfelt concern for these kids and a desire to serve them and their families.

I don't know what I would do without the support network of parents I lean on throughout the year that I first connected with at this camp. My daughter has a place and a group of friends that understand her and give her hope and a sense of belonging. She has an opportunity to serve and love those less fortunate than her in their struggle with the disease.

I connect on Facebook, text, phone, through the Children and Arthritis Newsletter and more. I am always wondering how Catherine Pressly leads with such style, finesse and patience during this pinnacle weekend called Jambalaya Jubilee. But I am sure glad she has chosen to commit her time and heart to this wonderful organization.

Jambalaya Jubilee changed our lives, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart. My family was completely hopeless about our future with juvenile arthritis prior to attending this summer. The power in knowledge about the disease and strength from the support of others in the arthritis community that we gleaned in those three days is immeasurable. Thank heavens for this incredible event!

I am a volunteer that has been a part of this wonderful nonprofit for over 20 years! Children and Arthritis provides a camp for children with arthritis and rheumatic diseases. The camp helps families learn to cope with their child's illness as well as realize there are many other families in the same situation. How awesome to not feel so isolated in the midst of a difficult disease and diagnosis, for the child afflicted as well as the parent!
There are numerous doctors, family counselors and therapists that volunteer to be at camp in a relaxed atmosphere and answer questions to help the families/kids learn more about their diagnosis. Lots of fun events and activities go on during the 3 day camp each summer. Families travel from all over to be a part of the fun in Shreveport, LA!

Highly organized and run very efficiently. I would recommend anyone that has a child with arthritis or lupus to seek the support of this organization.

I am a Pressly family friend and have donated dollars since the inception of the project. This year I was able to attend as a volunteer. I rode the bus with participants from San Antonio, Texas and acted as the coordinator and chaperone. The participants were excited, but tired....so, everyone quickly fell asleep. Since it was an overnight ride ... All was really quiet. Once we arrived in Shreveport the fun really began! The children and families were registered and photographed in lots of different costumes. By noon the Opening session began. My role was basically that of a go-fer... Which was fun for me. I taught school for 40 years, so it was fun to be working with children again. Activity groups by age were formed. The younger children were each given a teenage buddy from Shreveport, while the older children were grouped with their volunteers. Let see...swimming, volleyball, a Mardi Gras party, shopping at the local outdoor mall, games at an arcade, art lessons, dinner and a movie at the science museum kept the kids really busy! It was fun to watch the interaction of former campers and the children and their families. While we had fun with the children, the parents were attending seminars to learn about ways to help their children learn to live with their particular disease. The last morning after the closing ceremony I listened to several parents discuss the options they had discovered during the weekend. One mom said, "I don't feel as if we are dealing with this alone anymore. I've made contacts and realize I have ideas that might help others. This has been a terrific learning experience for our family... And, such a special tray for our daughter." That, I think says it all. Learning and fun in the same weekend. I was thrilled to play such a very small part!

My family has attended the Jambalaya Jubilee for the past three years and it has been such a blessing for my daughter. Being with so many kids that are "like her" has been wonderful for her self-esteem. She sees that she is not the only one with a disease and it helps her to be thankful because there are other children who are not as blessed as she is. She looks forward each year to seeing her friends and she also loves the fun activities that are planned for us each year. We are very thankful for the Jambalaya Jubilee! It is the highlight of our Summer!

My daughter (age 8), husband and I have been attending Children and Arthritis' Jambalaya Jubilee camp/conference for the past five years. It has made such a huge impact on our lives. We have met some wonderful families and made life-long friends through this event. It is easy to feel alone when your child is dealing with a chronic illness, but having this support network of people who "get it" has been invaluable. We learn something new each time we attend the Jambalaya Jubilee and meet new families and see old friends. My daughter looks forward to it the entire year and gets extra excited each spring as we near the camp/conference weekend!