WEST PALM BEACH, FL (July 2005)—American Lung Association of Florida–Southeast Area, announces the third annual Soaring Eagle Asthma Day Camp, the only five day camp for children (ages 7-12) with mild to moderate asthma in the State. Camp will be held from July 18 to 22 at the Benjamin School in North Palm Beach (south of PGA Blvd. off of Ellison Wilson, which is one block west of US 1). The program includes traditional camp activities, arts & crafts, music, team sports, swimming, computer, raising butterflies, science and field trips.  In addition to having trained camp counselors, Soaring Eagle Camp has a volunteer medical staff including local physicians, respiratory therapists and nurses, as well as adult “activities pals”. 

“We are extremely pleased to be offering another great session of summer day camp for kids with asthma,” said Jim Sugarman, Area Executive Director American Lung Association. “This is our third annual event and it means so much to the kids, parents and volunteers that we hope to be able to extend the camp to a second session for next year.”

Sponsored by the American Lung Association, Soaring Eagle will offer 60 plus children and their families a unique medically supervised and safe environment for children with mild to intermittent asthma. While the camp offers art, music, photography, computer classes, swimming, field trips, sports, and many other fun and terrific activities it will also provide daily asthma management education to the parents and caregivers of the children who attend the camp. The camp utilizes the grounds and facilities of The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach.  (Anyone wishing to volunteer in any of these capacities is encouraged to apply.) Soaring Eagle Camp, a day camp for asthmatic children ages 7-12, takes place Monday, July 18, through Friday, July 22, at the Benjamin School in North Palm Beach.


Soaring Eagle Camp, American Lung Association of Florida, 2701 N. Australian Ave., West Palm Beach. Ages 7-12 with asthma. Arts, crafts, music, team sports, swimming, computer, science, field trips. Camp is medically supervised. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mon.-Fri. July 18-22. $50 application fee, but no other charges. Scholarships are available. Deadline: May 18. (561) 659-7644.

The American Lung Association offers a summer camp experience to children with asthma. Many of these children are not accepted at other camps because of their illness; others are prohibited from attending by their parents who worry about access to medical care. In addition to asthma self-management, campers are provided with opportunities for trying new activities at their own level of participation.

Campers enjoy art, crafts, music, photography team sports, swimming, computer, science classes, field trips, butterfly raising and other activities. Programming takes place in a medically supervised environment and is open to children from Palm Beach, Hendry, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

The camp session is led by doctors and other health care professionals who have volunteered their time to offer information on creating healthy homes, understanding asthma triggers and creating asthma action plans for asthma management. In addition trained medical personnel and respiratory therapists volunteer throughout the
week as part of the staff.

Having just completed its 100th year, making the Lung Association the oldest voluntary heath organization in the US, the ALA is proud to continue its commitment to helping children and adults in southeast Florida breathe easier. This summer Soaring Eagle Asthma Day Camp will play a significant role in addressing that mission.

Soaring Eagle Camp is now in its third year, and is seeking volunteers and those wishing to help fund a second session, now in planning for the next year. For more information or to enlist your child, call Mary Shields or Phil Levenstein at the American Lung Association by Wednesday, June 15: (561) 659-7644 or 1-800-330-5864.
To volunteer for the camp, sponsor a child or to participate in fund raising for a second session, please contact: Jim Sugarman, Area Executive Director, American Lung Association, 1-800-330-5864.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, coughing, and chest tightness. Airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness (exaggerated airway constriction in response to asthma triggers) and airflow limitation are the key elements of the disease.

About the American Lung Association organization:

Since 1904, the American Lung Association® has been fighting lung disease through education, community service, advocacy, and research, working to help those who suffer from lung disease today, and to stop the spread of lung disease tomorrow. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the American Lung Association works to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. The American Lung Association has long funded vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease.

The mission of the American Lung Association® is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. The American Lung Association® is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States, with a National Office and constituent and affiliate associations around the country.

McKerns Development is the Publicist for American Lung Association of Florida-Southeast Area and is serving on the Advisory Board of the American Lung Association of Florida – Southeast Area (ALAF-SE) for 2005-2008. Leslie McKerns 561-305-4264. mckerns@bellsouth.net

The Benjamin School, is located at 11000 Ellison Wilson Rd North Palm Beach, Florida 33408. Tel. 561.626.3747