Camp Wholeheart

Camp Wholeheart is a fall weekend camp created to provide a positive life experience for children and teenagers ages 7 to 18 years living with complex congenital heart defects. The goals of camp are to reduce isolation, increase self-esteem and develop friendships among children with similar medical conditions.

The campers will participate in educational activities to increase physical activity and nutrition awareness in order to promote a healthier lifestyle. The camp also includes a half day family support event in the spring which reunites the campers and is used to recruit new campers and promote congenital heart disease awareness in the community. This is the only camp for this population of children in eastern North Carolina.

Funding is provided by a grant from Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. This camp is housed in the Human Development and Family Science department at East Carolina University. Camp volunteers include Child Life students from the College of Health and Human Performance and students from other ECU colleges as well as community volunteers. A pediatric cardiologist from the Brody School of Medicine and nurses from Vidant Medical Center also volunteer their time during the camping weekend.

For more information about the camp, please contact Dr. Priti Desai at 252-328-2866, email desaip@ecu.edu or contact the Pediatric Cardiology office at the Brody School of Medicine at 252-744-5601.