Camp Building Bridges is a Project that was inspired by our now 14 year old son Austin. He was only 7 years old when I was diagnosed with the cruelest of all diseases which is Younger- Onset Alzheimer's Disease/FTD. During these almost 6 years since my diagnosis we have served as very active Advocates for Alzheimer's disease and it was at the sight of seeing the struggles and challenges that my own son was going through that brought to mind that we have no support forums or support networks for children that have parents with dementia. Through his struggles I knew this had to be changed. Camp Building Bridges will help them build healthy relationships through these diseases as well as educate them more about what they need to know to not only help themselves but to help others. The greatest bonus about this camp is that it gives them 6 days away from home, 6 days away from dementia, 6 days to not have to worry about Mom & Dad, 6 days to just be themselves.
With the success of Camp Building Bridges for the "pilot" year in 2008, the program has been adopted by the Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for 2009 and hopefully years to come. The need and success of this program was proven that it was of great benefit of the first group of young teens that attended in which most wish to come back for this coming year in 2009. Be sure to read the testimonial page of those that attended this past summer 2008.