ConnectMed International, a San Diego nonprofit dedicated to bringing our region’s gold standard of healthcare to underserved parts of the world, will host Camp Cosmos, the county’s first free therapeutic and recreational day camp for children with craniofacial differences and their families on Sunday, July 22, 2018 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Camp CaHiTo in Balboa Park.
Camp Cosmos aims to foster joy and self-confidence, and build relationships among kids, families and local care providers in the Southern California craniofacial communities. The day camp will be facilitated by child and family therapists, nurses and other specialists who will lead self-esteem building and camaraderie-focused activities. The first half of the day will include open play time with Camp CaHiTo’s giant inflatables, archery course and more, plus carnival traditions like face-painting and wacky hair stations. The latter half of the day will feature break-out sessions with structured small-group therapeutic activities for both children and their parents. All family members, including children, siblings and parents, are invited to come play, share, learn, make new friends and have a blast. The event is free-of-cost, and Spanish-speaking facilitators will be available.
“Camp Cosmos was designed for families to come together and connect with their peers in a fun, safe environment where they can feel comfortable and confident in their own skin,” said ConnectMed President Dr. Amanda Gosman. “We invite San Diego families affected with craniofacial differences to come together and share their support with one another, and to interact with their treatment teams outside the clinical setting.”
ConnectMed is currently seeking volunteers and sponsors for Camp Cosmos. The Donegan Burns Foundation is a title sponsor, and other partners/sponsors include Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego Cleft Palate & Craniofacial Team, University of San Diego School of Medicine, Department of Plastic Surgery, Children’s Craniofacial Association, Fresh Start Surgical Gifts and KIND.
For more information or to make a donation, visit ConnectMed.org or call 858-201-8965.