The mission of Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp is to improve the quality of life for stroke survivors, caregivers, and their families. This is accomplished mostly through weekend retreats, called camps. (No, you don't sleep in tents. The camps are held at conference and retreat centers and campers stay in hotel style rooms with private or nearby bathrooms.)Camps are 3-4 days of new friendships and opportunities, while enjoying the benefits of relaxation, continued education, socialization and ongoing support.
Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp provides opportunities to meet other stroke survivors and their caregivers while:
- relaxing and enjoying the outdoors
- participating in group activities or relaxing by yourself
- indulging in pampering (like manicures, pedicures, massages, etc.)
- having healthy meals, prepared for you onsite
- taking part in craft projects (like painting, soap making, jewelry, etc.)
- join others in games, movies, fishing, boating, hiking
About this camp:
- Their website: http://www.strokecamp.org/
- A talk I did at a fundraiser for Stroke Camp: http://youtu.be/_2GNZe-iZWE
- A promo video
- A cover story the StrokeConnection magazine did
The Mayo Clinic Health System holds an annual Aphasia Camp in September in Wisconsin.
The mission of Aphasia Camp is to offer people with aphasia and their significant others activities and resources to increase social interaction and facilitate communication success.
Tuition includes all program materials, activities, meals and overnight accommodations for two nights and three days. Cost is $150 a person with aphasia and $100 a caregiver/family member. The cost to participate for a day is $75 a person.
The camp runs largely on clinicians, instructors and community members volunteering their time, as well as local businesses donating goods and services.
Campers can choose to participate in activities, such as fishing, boating, golfing, biking, computer technology, arts and crafts, cooking and games. Medical support and counseling is provided by Mayo Clinic Health System speech pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, massage therapists, chaplains and registered nurses.
For more information about Mayo Clinic Aphasia Camp:
- Mary Beth Clark, Speech Pathologist
Mayo Clinic Health System Rehab Services
715-838-1725
clark.marybeth1@mayo.edu - about this camp
Aphasia Camp Northwest
Aphasia Camp Northwest is a place for stroke survivors to reacquaint themselves with activities they enjoyed before their stroke and where loved ones are encouraged to come and join professional counselors in discussing supportive techniques for their family members and themselves.
Aphasia Camp Northwest is a joint program of The Aphasia Network, Portland State University and Pacific University that provides supported communication strategies for persons living with aphasia and their loved ones along with outdoor recreational opportunities. Since it began in 1998, Aphasia Camp Northwest has helped hundreds of stroke survivors learn new ways to connect with one another and their families while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors on Oregon's Mt. Hood.
People who attend the full weekend (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) pay $160 per person, which includes all expenses for lodging, meals and activities. Saturday only participants pay $80 per person. Scholarships are available.
More info:
- Their website: http://www.aphasianetwork.org/aphasia_camp.html
- A video from 2009