by Caleb Seney, Executive Director of MedCamps of Louisiana
Each summer, MedCamps of Louisiana welcomes hundreds of children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities to Camp Alabama in Choudrant, where they discover adventure, friendship, and confidence in a medically safe environment. One of the most meaningful weeks of the summer is Camp Little Giants, a residential camp designed specifically for children ages 6–16 living with Sickle Cell Disease.
For many families, the daily realities of Sickle Cell Disease can be challenging. Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become hard and sickle-shaped rather than round. These misshapen cells can block blood flow, leading to severe pain episodes, anemia, infections, and other serious health complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 100,000 people in the United States are living with Sickle Cell Disease, with the condition affecting about 1 in every 365 African American births.
Camp Little Giants provides these children with something every child deserves—a week filled with swimming, fishing, canoeing, arts and crafts, archery, outdoor adventures, campfires, music, games, and lasting friendships. While campers experience all the excitement of a traditional summer camp, parents enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing their children are surrounded by medical professionals who understand their unique healthcare needs.
This exceptional level of care is made possible through MedCamps’ longstanding partnership with the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. The clinic provides an outstanding team of physicians, physician assistants, social workers, and child life specialists who volunteer their time throughout the week. Together, they deliver around-the-clock medical care, educational programming that helps campers better understand and manage their condition, and support families by recruiting campers through the clinic’s patient network.
The partnership allows children to participate in activities they may never have imagined possible while remaining under the supervision of healthcare providers who specialize in treating Sickle Cell Disease. Throughout the week, campers build confidence, learn valuable self-management skills, and connect with peers who truly understand their experiences.
“For kids living with sickle cell disease, MedCamps (Camp Little Giants) is so much more than a week away. It’s a place that truly feels like home,” says J. Mason Kent, PA-C| Physician Assistant at St. Jude’s Baton Rouge Affiliate Clinic. “I’ve had the privilege of coming to this camp for nearly 10 years, and every year I am reminded of the incredible impact it has. From the leadership to the counselors, every child is seen, loved, supported, and cared for. They get to leave behind the worries that come with living with a chronic illness and simply be kids. That’s why they talk about camp all year and can’t wait to come back.
“And for me, MedCamps is where I get to set down the stethoscope and just be with them. Not just as their physician assistant, but as someone who gets to laugh with them, hear their questions, their fears, their hopes, and build connections that help us care for them better.” Mason says as he attends a archery session with a cabin group. Mason adds, “I love these kid. I love their families. And I’m incredibly grateful and honored to be a small part of their lives. MedCamps is a reminder of why I chose this profession, and why I keep coming back.”
Since 1987, MedCamps of Louisiana has remained committed to providing free camping experiences for children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Thanks to generous donors, community partners, volunteers, and dedicated medical professionals, families never receive a bill for their child’s camp experience.
Programs like Camp Little Giants demonstrate the incredible impact that collaboration can have. By combining MedCamps’ tradition of creating life-changing camp experiences with the medical expertise of the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, children living with Sickle Cell Disease are given the opportunity to enjoy childhood, gain independence, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
For more information about MedCamps of Louisiana or to learn how you can support its mission, visit MedCamps.org.
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