Indiana’s summer camp for children with bleeding disorders
Camp Brave Eagle is an opportunity for children ages 7-16 with bleeding disorders and their siblings to participate in a traditional summer camp experience. Camp Brave Eagle's mission is to develop future leaders by teaching confidence and self-sufficiency, improving self-esteem and fostering community. Camp Brave Eagle is held each year and is sponsored by the Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center (IHTC) and Hemophilia of Indiana (HOII). The camp is supervised by experienced medical staff.
Register for 2024 Camp Brave Eagle
History
Activities
Camp Medical Staff
Policies
Financial Support
Location
Items to Bring
Contact Us
History
Amy Shapiro, MD, the medical director for the IHTC, originated a summer camp for young Hoosiers with bleeding disorders in 1988, while serving as a pediatric hematologist at Indiana University Medical Center. In 1998, the IHTC was created and moved to St. Vincent Hospital on the north side of Indianapolis. To continue the summer camp tradition for her young patients, Dr. Shapiro and the IHTC established Camp Brave Eagle in 1999.
Hemophilia of Indiana (HOII) and IHTC continues our collaborative efforts to make camp a success. We have combined our efforts to provide excellent medical staffing and programming. Fundraising efforts continue to be done primarily by HOII.
Camp Brave Eagle is a wonderful opportunity for children with bleeding disorders to participate in a traditional summer camp experience. Our camp encourages self–sufficiency, builds confidence, increases campers’ self–esteem, and promotes a positive outlook. Camp Brave Eagle also aims to strengthen the sense of community among young Hoosiers with bleeding disorders and their families. Of course, the main objective is to have FUN!
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ACTIVITIES
This year, Hemophilia of Indiana, Inc. (HOII) joins the IHTC and Camp Crosley YMCA staff in creating a weeklong, fun-filled camping experience to promote group bonding, friendships, and achievement of program goals. This unforgettable camping experience is highlighted by activities created especially with our children in mind. These activities include:
- Swimming
- Sailing
- Canoeing / Kayaking
- Fishing
- Nature education
- Specially designed athletic activities
- Medical programming, including bleeding disorder education and self-infusion training
- And much, much more!
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Camp Medical Staff
The IHTC provides medical staffing for Camp Brave Eagle. The IHTC is the only federally recognized comprehensive hemophilia treatment center in Indiana. The center’s highly trained staff is the most experienced in the state in providing a safe medical environment at camp for children with bleeding disorders.
IHTC medical providers and nursing staff are on-site at all times. IHTC has established relationships with local healthcare providers and hospitals to meet any camper’s medical needs.
Medical staffing of Camp Brave Eagle exceeds national standards established for medical support at camps for children with bleeding disorders.
OUR MEDICAL STAFF INCLUDES:
Jennifer Maahs, MSN, PNP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Camp Brave Eagle Director
Camp Crosley Staff
Camp Crosley’s counselors are thoroughly trained in managing camp activities and in providing a safe and enjoyable camp experience for children with special needs. Before participating in Camp Brave Eagle, camp counselors must attend a bleeding disorders orientation presented by the IHTC medical staff.
Additional Staff
Other personnel consist of staff members of the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center's healthcare team.
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policies
Campers
Eligible Brave Eagle campers include children with bleeding disorders ages 7–16 who are residents of Indiana. Camp Brave Eagle’s capacity is 100 campers, so be sure to register as soon as possible!
Cost
The cost per camper is $300 or $500 total per family (for two or more campers). Parents may pay by check or money order made payable to Hemophilia of Indiana, Inc. Payment arrangements or sponsorships are also available. To set up a payment arrangement, contact Angel Couch, Hemophilia of Indiana's Program Director, at 317-570-0039 or toll-free at 1-800-241-2873.
Grants
Camperships (scholarships / grants) are available based on financial need and availability of funds. For information on camperships, call Angel Couch at 317-570-0039 or toll-free at 1-800-241-2873.
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FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Camp Brave Eagle would not be possible without the generous support of:
- Hemophilia of Indiana (HOII)
- Indiana Hemophilia & Thrombosis Center, Inc. (IHTC)
- Cascade
- Takeda
- Pfizer
- Genentech
- Bayer
- CVS Caremark
- Novo Nordisk
- Sanofi Genzyme
If you are interested in making a private or corporate donation to support Camp Brave Eagle, contact Angela DiRuzza, Program Director, at 317-570-0039 or toll-free at 1-800-241-2873.
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Location
This year, Camp Brave Eagle is returning to Camp Crosley YMCA in North Webster, Indiana. It’s about a 2.5 hour fun-filled bus ride from Indianapolis. North Webster is in Northern Indiana’s lake country, approximately a 5 minute drive from Lake Wawasee.
ABOUT CAMP CROSLEY
Camp Crosley is known for its excellent facilities and has been providing summer camp to young Hoosiers for years. The camp is situated on beautiful Lake Tippecanoe.
FROM INDIANAPOLIS
Follow I-69 North to Fort Wayne. Take U.S. 30 West through Columbia City to Pierceton. Take S.R. 13 North. Follow the local directions below.
- Local Directions from U.S. 30
Take S.R. 13 North towards North Webster. Travel about 8 miles to the intersection of 13 and 500 North (Armstrong Road). Turn left onto Armstrong Road, then take a right onto 675 East. Camp Crosley YMCA is located on the left side of the road.
- Local Directions from U.S. 6 or U.S. 20
Traveling south on S.R. 13, North Webster is about 8 miles south of Syracuse. As you enter North Webster, look for green signs directing you to Camp Crosley. Turn right onto Crystal Flash Road (650 N.). Travel approximately 1 mile to the second stop sign and turn left onto 675 East. Travel ¼ mile and Camp Crosley YMCA will be on your right.
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items to bring
To be prepared for Camp Brave Eagle, please be sure to pack the below items. A handy printable PDF with more detail is here, too!
- Bleeding disorder treatment (e.g. Factor, Stimate)
- This is mandatory for camp attendees. Contact IHTC to discuss number of doses needed.
- Medication – any medications taken on a daily basis
- Clothing – Campers need enough clothes for one week (please note; there is not a clothes washing facility available to campers). You will receive a detailed list with the registration packet.
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contact us
Emergencies
If you have an emergency or need to contact your child / children with an urgent message during camp, call the Camp Crosley YMCA office at 574-834-2331 or 1-877-811-6189.
Program, Registration, Campership Information
Angel Couch, Program Director
317-570-0039 or 1-800-241-2873
Medical Information
Jennifer Maahs, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
317-871-0011, extension 212 or 1-877-256-8837
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