06/23/2009
FAQ's About MDA's Summer Camp Cancellation
MDA wants to thank all of the families, campers and camp counselors who've been so patient and understanding about our decision to cancel the remainder of our summer camps due to concerns about the swine flu virus.
For many of our campers, MDA Summer Camp is the highlight of their year and we know how much the campers, their families and the camp counselors look forward to this time. It's a time for the kids to get away from their everyday routine, to be carefree and catch up with their friends at camp. And it gives their parents a break and a rest.
This decision has been difficult for MDA and is unprecedented in the history of this organization. Children with weakened respiratory muscles are more vulnerable to the flu and possibly, pneumonia. There have been 17 swine flu cases reported from three MDA camps, 11 occurred after camp ended, six additional cases were reported while camp was in session in Pennsylvania. The health and safety of the children is MDA's top priority.
We have received many telephone calls and e-mails supporting our decision. We are also getting some questions about it and are providing answers below.
Isn't MDA overreacting, canceling all the camps because just a few kids came down with the flu?
Some children attending camp have weakened respiratory muscles and are more vulnerable to the flu and possibly, pneumonia. We talked with the Centers for Disease Control frequently on Friday as part of our decision-making process and they agreed that this decision was the “prudent thing to do” based on the increased vulnerability of these children. It would be catastrophic if just one child attending summer camp got the flu and died because of resulting complications.
What is MDA doing with all the money they save this summer by canceling camp?
There is no charge for the kids who attend our camps; they are free for Jerry’s Kids.
Most of the fees associated with MDA Summer Camps have already been paid to the camps. It costs a little over $800 per child to go to camp. We have 4,300 children who were registered for summer camp. About 1,800 have already attended camp this summer. If we do recover any camp costs due to this summer’s cancellations, those funds will be used for next year's Summer Camp program.
What are you planning to do for the kids to makeup for the cancellation?
We are aware of the disappointment many families feel and are working with our local offices now to provide innovative alternatives for the campers and their families.
Why don't the kids just get a vaccine?
At present, there is no vaccine against swine flu or the H1N1 virus.
Here's a link to the Centers for Disease Control for more information: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents/
Who can answer questions for us at MDA?
If you are a camper or family member, you can call us at MDA at 520-529-2000.
Here’s an update on the latest swine flu numbers from MSN: http://news.my.msn.com/topstories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3398585
