Mission
Our mission is to improve the health and wellness of people living with chronic illnesses and disabilities through unique recreational and educational camping experiences!!
Philosophy
We believe that all people, regardless of medical or special needs, deserve to experience life to the fullest and that camping is an American tradition which epitomizes normalcy and provides participants with a sense of well-being, belonging, accomplishment and self-worth. In light of these beliefs our mission is to provide at no charge a medically supervised residential camping experience that supports growth in the physical, social and emotional aspects of the life of a young person with special needs by developing normalcy, confidence and independence within each participant.
1987
Founded
Founded by Dr. Michael F. Zambie in 1987, MedCamps of Louisiana began as a one week camp for 13 children with severe asthma and allergies on the campus of Northeast Louisiana University. Since that time we have grown steadily in numbers and have expanded programming.
1988
YMCA
Our program was initially developed as part of the YMCA of Northeast Louisiana and was known as YMCA MedCamps. The YMCA gave MedCamps an instant funding and administrative infrastructure. In 1988 a partnership with the Presbytery of the Pines was formed, and the MedCamps program had a permanent home in which to operate at Camp Alabama, located 5 miles north of the I-20 corridor, between Monroe and Ruston, in Sibley, Louisiana.
Support
The Community
The word quickly spread, and MedCamps found support from all over the community. Local nurses, like Susan Anderson and Ann Reeves, donated their time and expertise to ensure a safe environment for all who attended camp. John O’neal was tremendous in his early financial support. Thelma Oetgen (former member of the Glenwood Board of Trustees) was instrumental in soliciting donations of medicines and equipment from Glenwood Regional Medical Center and other area hospitals. The parents of campers got involved too. Jim Huggins’ construction and architectural expertise was invaluable as construction projects and camp improvements ensued.
1990
Organizations & Corporations
Organizations and corporations began to contribute time and money to improve Camp Alabama. Cabins were refurbished, air conditioned and made wheelchair accessible. Roads and sidewalks were paved, and accessible bridges were built. The old camp chapel that had tended to children’s spiritual needs, was remodeled into a modern camp infirmary, and now attends to the camper’s special medical needs. In 1990, MedCamps went knocking on doors in need of a wheelchair accessible pool, John Grantham, Bill Morrow and Riverwood Paper Company answered. Many organizations supported many other improvements at the camp during these early years, and every contribution helped MedCamps grow.
1995
Board of Directors
By 1995, the community’s support of the program had grown substantially, and it was determined that further growth could only be achieved as an autonomous organization. A Board of Directors was recruited, by-laws were drafted, and MedCamps of Louisiana was incorporated. We are now an agency of the United Way of Northeast Louisiana, and are currently pursuing accreditation with the American Camping Association.
2019
Growth
Since 1987, MedCamps has grown tremendously. We have grown from 13 kids for 1 week in 1987 to 450 children over a 12-week period in 2019 — from serving one chronic illness in 1987 to serving more than 16 currently.
Current
Camp is Always Free
MedCamps of Louisiana, Inc. has never charged a fee to attend camp and with the continued support of the community, corporations and civic organizations, and the continued success of our fundraising events, we hope we will be able to make this statement year after year.
Experience MedCamps
We believe that all people, regardless of medical or special needs, deserve to experience life to the fullest. Camping is an American tradition that epitomizes normalcy and provides participants with a sense of well-being, belonging, accomplishment and self-worth.
